Samuel S. King

Samuel S. King in 1905 (according to the History of the Maumee River Basin written by Charles Elihu Slocum) was considered one of the leading farmers of Damascus Township, Henry County, Ohio, living on Section 5.

The oldest of nine children of Peter and Mary (Shoemaker) King, Samuel was born on May 12, 1839. His brothers and sisters were: George W., Rebecca, Levi, Henry M., Malinda, Mirriam, Peter S., and Jacob M.

He remained on the paternal farmstead in Fairfield County until about fourteen years of age, at which time the family moved to Sandusky County, Ohio, where he resided until twenty-one years old.

In the meantime he had received a fair education in the district schools, which at that time were somewhat primitive in their equipment and methods. The school building was made of logs, with puncheon floor and split saplings for seats.

When Mr. King reached twenty-one, he engaged in railroad construction work, so continuing for six years, and by close economy he was able to save about sixteen hundred dollars.

Samuel then made a trip to Missouri and Kansas, but not being pleased with that section of the country, around 1867 he came to Damascus Township, Henry County, Ohio, and purchased eighty-four acres of land, only twelve of which were cleared.

On this land he erected a log cabin and started the task of clearing the land and reducing it to cultivation, in which he succeeded to such a degree that in time this farm was considered one of the best in the community. He added to his land possessions from time to time until he eventually owned about 718 acres, though he subsequently gave much of it to his children.

In 1880 Mr. King erected a large and substantial barn on the original 84 acres and in 1882 built a fine eight-room brick house. The children of Samuel King often remarked about the great improvement the new house was over the log cabin they were used to. Now they did not wake up on snowy winter mornings to find snow, which had sifted between the logs, on top of their covers!

Three of Samuel's brothers built brick houses exactly like his. His brother, Levi King, built one right across the road from Samuel's. Henry King built his brick house in Liberty Township, and Peter King's was in Fremont, Ohio.

Following Samuel King through his lifetime adventures was his wife and partner, Sarah Jane Adams. On July 5, 1860, in Mr. King's twenty-first year, Samuel S. King and Sarah Jane Adams were united in marriage.

Miss Adams was born on November 3, 1842, in Sandusky County, Ohio, the daughter of Samuel and Sarah (Fought) Adams. Samuel Adams, who was a farmer by vocation, was a native of Pennsylvania but settled in Sandusky County at an early age.

To Samuel and Sarah King were born thirteen children, each of whom received 40 acres of land from their parents when he or she was twenty-one except Irvin King who died at twenty-one years of age. The children were as follows: Rebecca Emaline -May 18, 1861; Mary Alice - January 10, 1862; Minerva Catherine - July 1, 1864; Alvina Harriet - October 10, 1865; Levi - March 15, 1867; Peter -October 28, 1868; Samuel Henry -August 31, 1870; Alverda - May 1, 1872; Monroe - November 15, 1875; Charles C. - October 18, 1876; Irvin - November 9, 1878; Franklin - July 25, 1881; Maude Ellen - December 25, 1882. All of Mr. and Mrs. King's children have passed away including all of their spouses. Mabel (Kinney) King, the wife of Charles C. King, was the last to pass on, this occurring on May 28, 1974.

In politics Sam King was a Democrat, and in religion he was a member of the German Reformed Church of Liberty Center, Ohio.

Sarah Jane Adams King preceded her husband in death on June 9, 1910, and Mr. King died on December 31, 1920. Both were laid to rest in the Olive Branch Cemetery, Damascus Township, McClure, Ohio.

Thus we close a chapter in a pioneer farmer's life; but we still see evidence of his having been here in the relatives he left, in his hand cleared farm and in his fine house and barn. The house and barn look exactly the same today as when they were built, thanks to the fine upkeep they have received over the years.

Submitted By Gae A. Wiemer