Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-10-22
DEATHS HARVEST.

Our people are being constantly re.
minded of the brevity and uncertainty
of this life. This week the loss of an
aged and respected pioneer citizen has
taken place and his departure has
brought sadness to many hearts. Mr
A. B. Sampson died Monday morning
after protracted illness at the advanc-
ed age of 72 years. He had been an
invalid for many years previous to his
demise. The last time that he was
seen on our streets. was during fair
week when he rode out in a carriage
on beautiful day Since then he
gradually failed until Monday, when
he quietly sank into his eternal sleep.
He leaves his wife. who stood by him
through ali the trials of this life, and
his son Henry. to follow after.
Ahira Beach Sampson was born in
Clinton, New York, in 1913, and was
brought mp in Keaseville of the same
state He came west to Wisconsin at
the age of Il years. Three years
later he was married to Miss Jane
Teal, who still survives him.
The year following, he settled at
Whitney Rapids where he engaged in
the numbering business seven years
He then moved his family to this city
where he has since resided with the
exception of seven years spent at
Hurleyville where he built saw mill.
Mr.. Sampson united with the M.
&. Church in the year 1874, under the
labors of Rev Jesse Cole and has
been faithful member ever since.
It is not generally known here that
Mr.. Sampson came 10 this place when
it was a mere forest inhabited only by
wild animals and Indians. On his
arrival to the county at that time he
found one Daniel Whitney located on
the river bank about ten miles below
this city where in 1882 Mr.. Whitney,
a nephew and Mr.. Sampson erected
the first saw mill at that place, which
they named "Whitney's Rapids" "
This was done under permit from
the War department. During their
early experiences they suffered many
hardships MIR. Sampson had charge
of the mill until 1888 when in connec-
ton with Nelson Strong, they secured
permission from the government and
erected mill in Centralia, where the
Pulp mill now stands, but soon after
sold his interests to Mr. Strong, who
then took in r. Bloomer as a partner
In 1S40, Mr.. Sampson gave up his
position at Whitney's Rapids and
moved to the present city of Grand
Rapids, where be has since resided
In his house at Whitney's Rapids
in 1889, occurred the first marriage
of Grand Rapids folks. The contract
ing parties were Mr.. Geo. Kline Jr
and Mrs. Maria Whitney, the knot
being tied by s r. Merrill, a Justice
of the Peace. 1t is also reported that
the first white child born in the county
occurred at their home.
In 1S43, owing to the great influx
of pine seekers and prospectors, Nelson
Strong erected a hotel. This hotel
was purchased by Mr.. Sampson who
for many years was noted for keeping
the only public house in what is now
the county of Wood. Mrs Sampson,
his wife, was also known as being a
woman for her energy and
bravery against pioneer hardships and
Indian insolence.
The funeral obsequies took place at
the NJ. E. Church. Wednesday after,
noon at 2 o'clock Our people, gener-
ally, attended to pay their last tribute
of respect to the memory of deceased.
Rev A. Smith officiated The SER
mon upon this occasion was one of
much merit and worthy of the best
thought of all who heard it.
All business places in the city were
closed during the hours of the service
as mark of respect to the honored
dead