Samuel Fields Anderson Passes Away.

Prominent Farmer Who Lived For A Half Century In This County

(Photo)

Following closely the demise of Herman Mehrens a couple of weeks ago comes the announcement of the death of Samuel F. Anderson, his neighbor for nearly half a century. Deceased was a was a well-known and much respected citizen, and while he had been an invalid, afflicted with rheumatism in a virulent form for many years, he possessed such indomitable energy and force of character that he was a commanding figure in all affairs of a public nature, local or general . He was a great reader and a student of economic subjects, political and general, and was one of the best informed men in the community on political history, National, State and local.

Samuel F. Anderson was born in Belfast, Ireland, June 11, 1835, of Scotch parentage, and was therefore 79 years old, his father being a linen weaver and moving across from Scotland to Ireland to procure employment at his trade.

Deceased came to Nebraska territory in Nov. 1866, accompanied by his brother Thomas, who survives him, and went out into Wyoming, returning again in the spring of 1867 and securing work as engineer in a sawmill across the river in Harrison county, Iowa, where they remained until the next year when they came over on this side of the river and deceased entered the quarter section of government land on which he lived, later purchasing an adjoining 160 acres from the railroad company. Later he homesteaded 80 acres in Grant township and bo’t an adjoining 40 of railroad land and lived there until he proved up on his homestead entry.

He was married at DeSoto, November 19th, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth Murdock, of Ontario, and to that union nine children were born, four having died. Those living are Robert and Wallace, prosperous young farmers, with farms of their own, near Herman, Mrs. Dr. P. J. Clark, of Herman, Joseph, who farmed the home place and Jesse, a teacher, living at home.

Surviving him are these children, his wife, his brother, Thomas, a bachelor, who has always been his companion and associate in most of his business enterprises, and a widowed sister, youngest of the family, living in Porto Rico.

He was a Methodist and his former pastor at Herman, Rev. John F. Poucher, now of Stanton, was sent for to preach the funeral sermon. The services were held at the Methodist church here in Blair on Tuesday at two o’clock P.M. and friends of the deceased crowded the house of worship to pay a last tribute to the bereaved family. The remains were followed to their last resting place in the Blair cemetery by a long procession of automobiles.

Pilot 8 July 1914

When Samuel Fields Anderson died at his farm north of Blair at 11:20 Sunday morning earth lost one of the finest, most lovable souls she has ever produced. He occupied no position of honor or of state, neither was he a giant intellectually, but he was an invalid for twenty-five years and suffered much, yet he was always cheerful, kindly, friendly, considerate of others, liberal and helpful. He was much beloved because he loved much, nothing else so sweetens our lives and ennobles character. The 5th of last January was the last time he was in Blair, and since that time he slowly failed in strength, though his courage grew with the days. Two days before the end he became unconscious, the tired body and weary brain could function no longer, but the brave heart beat on, the last sleep coming as peacefully as the first one. Rev. John Poucher, of Stanton, formerly of Herman, an old friend, conducted the funeral service at the Methodist church at 2 o’clock yesterday. The large building was almost completely filled at this busy season, with those who wished to pay a last tribute of love and of respect to a worthy man and neighbor. Deceased was born in Belfast, Ireland, June 11th, 1838, and was therefore just entering his 80th year. He emigrated to Hamilton, Ontario, with his parents when a lad of seven years, coming to the states in 1865, to this state the next year. He bought the place on which he died in 1865, living in Grant township for about four years before he made it his permanent home, where he spent the last 43 years of his quiet but earnest life. He was married November 19th, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth Murdoch, of Ontario, at DeSoto, by Rev. Smith, who left the next day as a missionary to Africa. Of this union nine children were born, four dying in infancy, Mrs. Perry J. Clark and Wallace, of Herman, Robert, Joseph and Jessie, who live at or near the old home. He leaves one brother, Thomas, who lives in the same neighborhood, and one sister, Mrs. E. J. Taylor, of Porto Rico. He was moderator of the Kindred school for many years, but held or sought no political office. He was a member of no order but the Methodist church, whose worship he loved but was unable to attend very regularly on account of rheumatoid arthritis, from which he suffered for over twenty-five years of his life. He loved and served the Master of his life, which was the secret of his love and service to his fellows. His familiar face will be seen among us no more, but the strong loves, the many kind deeds and the sweet influences of a noble and devoted life will remain with us as long as we remain. We shall do well if we reflect them on through the ages yet to come.

Tribune 8 July 1914

S. F. Anderson Dead

S. F. Anderson, a wealthy farmer living several miles north of Blair, died at his home at 11:20 a.m., Sunday, July 5, 1914, after having suffered with rheumatoid arthritis for a period of twenty-five years. Mr. Anderson was one of the earliest settlers of Washington county and had accumulated a number of acres of land, but sold it all a few months ago at a big figure, intending to move to Blair with his aged wife.

Samuel Fields Anderson was born in Belfast, Ireland, June 11, 1835, and moved with his parents to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, when he was seven years old. He came to the United States in 1865, and to Nebraska in 1866, and located in Washington county and, with the exception of four years when he lived in Grant township, he lived at his present home, which is more than thirty-five years.

He was married November 19, 1874, to Miss Elizabeth Murdock, at old DeSoto, Nebr., Rev. Smith performing the marriage ceremony. To this union nine children were born, four dying in infancy. The surviving children are Mrs. P. J. Clark and Wallace at Herman, and Robert, Joseph and Jessie at home. Besides his five children he leaves an aged wife, one brother, Thomas, of Blair, and a sister, Mrs. E. J. Taylor in Puerto Rico.

Mr. Anderson was moderator in the Kindred school district for a number of years. The funeral was held from the Methodist Episcopal church in Blair at 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. Rev. John F. Poucher, an old time friend of Mr. Anderson’s, conducted the funeral services, and the remains were laid to their long rest in the Blair cemetery.

Blair Democrat 9 July 1914

Sam Anderson Dies Sunday

Sam Anderson, one of the well known old settlers of this neighborhood and until a few months ago a large land owner living several miles north of Blair on the Missouri river bottom, died at his home Sunday noon, the funeral being held Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock from the Methodist church in this city. Mr. Anderson was born in Belfast, Ireland, 79 years ago the 11th of last month, coming to America in 1865, stopping for a year in Canada and then coming to Washington county. He had worked hard and had accumulated a large lot of land but recently sold it to Judge Walton at a large figure, intending to move to Blair with his aged wife and spend the balance of his days in rest and peace. He had been a sufferer from rheumatism for years, however, and during the past year has failed very much and never had an opportunity of moving off the old home place.

A wife and five children survive him, Mrs. Dr. Clark of Herman, Jessie, who lived t home and taught school, Robert and Wallace who farm near the old home place, and Joe who worked with his father at home. Besides these there is a brother, Tom, who for a number of years has made his home with Peter M. Tyson.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~