Person Page - 931

     M. Jane Sample was born circa 1852 at Illinois, United States. She was the daughter of David H. Sample and Elizabeth Moore.

     John D. Sample was born circa 1855 at Illinois, United States. He was the son of David H. Sample and Elizabeth Moore.

     Wesley Holland Sample was born in June 1875 at Illinois, United States. He was the son of John N. Sample and Rebecca Skinner. He married Ida May Taylor circa 1896 at probably Harrison, Missouri, United States. He died on 14 January 1956 at Des Moines, Polk, Iowa, United States, at age 80.

     Ellen Sample was born in November 1869 at Macoupin, Illinois, United States. She was the daughter of John N. Sample and Margaret Nixon.

     Ida May Taylor was born in June 1878 at Illinois, United States. She married Wesley Holland Sample, son of John N. Sample and Rebecca Skinner, circa 1896 at probably Harrison, Missouri, United States. She died on 15 February 1944 at age 65.

     Luther A. Sample was born in April 1898 at Missouri, United States. He was the son of Wesley Holland Sample and Ida May Taylor.

     William Sample was born circa 1864 at Macoupin, Illinois, United States. He was the son of William Robert Sample and Nancy R. E. Blake.

     Charles Sample was born in February 1866 at Macoupin, Illinois, United States. He was the son of William Robert Sample and Nancy R. E. Blake.

     Samuel Sample was born circa 1868 at Macoupin, Illinois, United States. He was the son of William Robert Sample and Nancy R. E. Blake.

     Nancy R. E. Blake married William Robert Sample, son of Aaron Sample and Anna W. Boyer, on 2 April 1863 at Macoupin, Illinois, United States. She died between 1868 and 1870 at probably Macoupin, Illinois, United States.

     Margaret Nixon was born on 24 December 1846 at Washington, Ohio, United States. She married John N. Sample, son of Aaron Sample and Anna W. Boyer, on 31 January 1869 at Macoupin, Illinois, United States. She died on 28 January 1874 at Christian, Illinois, United States, at age 27.

     George Washington Sample was born on 13 March 1837 at Morgan, Illinois, United States. He was the son of Aaron Sample and Anna W. Boyer. He married Lucy Ann Braden on 30 September 1858 at Macoupin, Illinois, United States. He married Mrs. Burnette A. Wilson on 1 February 1877 at Barton, Missouri, United States. He married Louisa Josephine Smith on 29 February 1880 at Sarcoxie, Jasper, Missouri, United States. He married Elizabeth C. McCarty on 25 November 1886 at Dublin, Jasper, Missouri, United States; Jasper County, Missouri, marriage record for marriage of George Washington Sample and Elizabeth McCarty, November 25, 1886. He married Sarah E. Tidball on 12 November 1891 at Lamar, Barton Co, Missouri, United States. He married Emaline "Emma" Stinnett on 13 November 1896 at Joplin, Jasper, Missouri, United States; Emma Stinnett first married William L. Hargrove. He died on 4 November 1916 at Spring Valley Township, Cherokee, Kansas, United States, at age 79. He was buried at Pleasant View Cemetery, Spring Valley Township, Cherokee, Kansas, United States.
     Biography of George Washington Sample:
The following biography is from Howard Bowers Light Townsend of Kentucky.¹ It is reproduced below with permission:

He was married six times. He fathered children only by his first wife, Lucy Ann Braden.
Lucy Ann Braden, 30 Sep 1858, Macoupin Co., Illinois
Mrs. B. A. Wilson, 1 Feb 1877, Barton Co., Missouri
Miss Louisa Josephine Smith, 29 Feb 1880, Sarcoxie, Jasper Co., Missouri
Elizabeth McCarty, 25 Nov 1886, Dublin, Jasper Co., Missouri
Sarah E. Tidball, 12 Nov 1891, Lamar, Barton Co., Missouri
Emma Stinnett Hargrove, 13 Sep 1896, Joplin, Jasper Co., Missousri

In 1876 he is shown to be the owner of 80 acres in the north half of the southeast quarter of Section 16 and 5 acres in the northeast corner of Section 21 of Preston Twp., Jasper Co., Missouri. Source: An Illustrated Historical Atlas Map of Jasper County, Missouri, Brink McDonough & Company, 1876.

History of Jasper County, Missouri, 1883: "George W. Sample was born in Morgan county, Ill., March 13, 1837, and is a son of Aaron and Annie Sample, natives of Illinois. He worked at home until twenty-two years of age, and in September, 1858, married Miss Lucy Braden of Macoupin county, Ill. By this union they had the following children: James H., Mary L., John, and Sarah A., also born in Illinois. Mr. Sample farmed there eight years, then moved to Iowa, and then to Kansas. He then returned to Illinois and lived there ten years. In 1872 he moved to Jasper county, and located on his present farm of eighty-five acres. Mrs. Sample died Nov. 5, 1875. Mr. Sample then married Mrs. Burnette A. Wilson, who died June 30, 1879. Mr. Sample again married; this time to Louisa J. Smith, who was born in McMinn county, Tenn., and came to Jasper county in 1872, and was married Feb. 29, 1880. Mr. Sample is a member of the Baptist Church, and takes an interest in all church matters and is a valuable member of society."

The Modern Light, Columbus, Kansas, November 30, 1916, p. 3, c. 7: "Geo. Sample, aged 80 years, died at his daughter, Sarah Bowers' home, Saturday morning at 8:30, Nov. 4, 1916. He had been sick for almost 2 years and death was the result of several complications which he could not survive. The funeral was held from the Bowers home Sunday at 1:30, conducted by Rev. Clarence Pitts of the Free Will Baptish church, interment in the Pleasant View cemetery near Brush Creek. Mr. Sample is survived by his wife, Mrs. Emma Sample of Joplin, and three children, William, James and Mrs. Sarah Bowers. Mr. Sample was a good man and a kind and loving husband father. He came from Missouri to Kansas two years ago and has been making his home with his daughter. He was a good neighbor and was always ready to help the sick in any way that he could. He was well thought of and many will mourn his loss. He was a member of the Free Will Baptish church of Shiloh."

1860 U.S. census, Palmyra P.O., T12 R8, Macoupin Co., M653, Roll 206, Illinois, p 603:
Geo. W. Samples, 23, male, farming, $325 personal property, b. Illinois
Lucy A., 21, female, Illinois

1870 U.S. census, Chesterfield P.O., T10 R8, Macoupin Co., Illinois, M593, Roll 250, p 282:
George W. Samples, age 31, male, b. Illinois
Lucy, 30, female, keeping house, Illinois
James, 8, m, Illinois
John, 6, m, Illinois
Sarah, 3, f, Illinois
Note: James Braden, father of Lucy, is next door.

1880 U.S. census, Preston Twp., Jasper Co., Missouri, T9, Roll 694, p 313C:
George W. Samples, 42, male, farming, b. Illinois, father b. Illinois, mother b. Illinois
Josephine, 38, female, wife, keeping house, Tennessee, Tennessee, Tennessee
James H., 19, male, son, farming, Illinois, Illinois, Illinois
John W., 17, male, son, farming, Illinois, Illinois, Illinois
Sarah A., 15, female, dau., at school, Illinois, Illinois, Illinois
Aquilla Wilson, 8, male, step-son, Texas, Illinois, Illinois
John F., 18m, step-son, farming, Illinois, Illinois, Illinois

1900 U.S. census, Galena Twp., Jasper Co., Missouri, T623, Roll 865, p 9B:
George W. Sample, age 63, male, b. Mar 1837, farmer, b. Illinois, father b. Illinois, mother b. Kentucky
Emeline, 56, female, wife, Mar 1844, Illinois, Illinois, Illinois
Edward Cole, 13, m, servant, Sep 1886, farm laborer, Kansas, Missouri

1910 U.S. census, Tuckahoe Precinct, Galena Twp., Jasper Co., Missouri, T624, Roll 791, p 80A
George W. Sample,     73, male, farmer, b. Illinois, father b. Illinois, mother b. Kentucky
Emma, 66, female, wife, Illinois, Illinois, Illinois
Newton R., 23, m, grandson, farm laborer, Texas, Illinois, Illinois.¹

     John Oliver Thomas was born on 30 January 1887 at Rocky Comfort, Missouri, United States. He married Jennie Ethel Bowers, daughter of Hardin Thomas Bowers and Sarah Ann Sample, on 31 August 1910 at Spring Valley Township, Cherokee, Kansas, United States.
     Biography of John Oliver Thomas:
John Oliver Thomas disappeared about 1935 and was never heard of again. At the time he was a Prudential insurance agent in Webb City, Missouri. It was said that his accounts were in order and that he had not removed money from his personal bank account.

He was not found in the U.S. census records for 1910, 1920 and 1930.¹

     Elmer Lawrence Thomas was born on 23 May 1911 at Spring Valley Township, Cherokee, Kansas, United States. He was the son of John Oliver Thomas and Jennie Ethel Bowers. He married Velma White on 6 June 1936 at Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States. He married Ruby Bell Simmons Black on 1 September 1971 at Miami, Ottawa, Oklahoma, United States. He died circa 1994 at Jasper, Missouri, United States. He was buried at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin, Jasper, Missouri, United States.
     Biography of Elmer Lawrence Thomas:
Personal interview with Elmer Thomas, Webb City, Missouri, May 6, 1991.

He was born at the home of his grandparents, Hardin Thomas Bowers and Sarah Ann Sample Bowers, located on Brush Creek about three miles north of Baxter Springs, Kansas. He built custom stereos and cabinets as a hobby. No children.

Obituary, Joplin, Missouri, November 29, 1994: "Elmer L. Thomas, 83, 201 Northpark Lane, died at 10:50 a.m. Monday at his home after a sudden illness. Mr. Thomas was born May 23, 1911, at Baxter Springs, Kan. He was a lifetime area resident. He was a pharmacist and former partner of the Carterville (Mo.) Drug Co. He was a member of the First Baptist Church at Webb City, and Webb City Chapter No. 204, Order of the Eastern Star. He was a past master of Carterville Masonic Lodge No. 401. He was a former member of the Good Sams, the Holiday Ramblers and the Tanglefooters' Round Dance Club. He was a Navy veteran of World War II. His first wife, Velma White Thomas, died May 18, 1969. He married Ruby Black on Sept. 1, 1971. She died April 22, 1992. Survivors include a stepson, Jerry Black, Baton Rouge, La; a stepdaughter, Joyce Carpenter, Joplin; a sister, Lucille Terry, Joplin; and three stepgrandchildren. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home, Webb City. The Rev. Bob Easton will officiate. Burial will be in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery, Joplin. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church at Webb City or the Alzheimer's unit at St. John's Regional Medical Center, Joplin."¹

     Sylvia Lucille Thomas was born on 11 March 1913 at Spring Valley Township, Cherokee, Kansas, United States. She was the daughter of John Oliver Thomas and Jennie Ethel Bowers. She married Roy E. Terry on 28 June 1936 at Riverton, Cherokee, Kansas, United States. She died on 18 April 2000 at Kimberling City, Stone, Missouri, United States, at age 87. She was buried on 21 April 2000 at Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, Jasper, Missouri, United States.
     Biography of Sylvia Lucille Thomas:
The Joplin Globe, Joplin, Missouri, April 2000: "Lucille Terry. Webb City, Mo. - Sylvia Lucille Terry, age 87 of Reeds Spring, Mo., a former Webb City resident died at 4:20 a.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2000 at The Table Rock Retirement Center in Kimberling City, Mo., after a four month illness. Mrs. Terry was born March 11, 1913 in Baxter Springs, Kan. to John and Jennie Bowers Thomas. She lived most of her life in Webb City. She moved to Reeds Spring two years ago. She was a homemaker and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Webb City. She was a former member of the Carterville-Webb City Order of the Eastern Star. When she was 73 years of age, she reached a lifelong goal of earning her high school diploma. She married Roy Terry June 28, 1936 in Riverton, Kan. He preceded her in death on January 28, 1966. She is survived by two daughters, Suzanne Eskandari and her husband, Frank of Joplin, and Kay Sidenstricker and her husband, Larry of Reeds Spring, Mo; her four grandchildren, Michael Sidenstricker and his wife, Jennifer, Nicole Pritchard and her husband, Tim, Shahla Eskandari, and Christopher Eskandari; one great-grandson, Hunter Michael Sidenstricker. She was preceded in death by three sisters and two brothers. Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, 2000 at the Hedge-Lewis Chapel in Webb City with the Rev. Randy Johnson officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Hope Cemetery. Family visitation will be from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at the Chapel. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association in care of Hedge-Lewis Funeral Home. The family will be at the home of a daughter, Suzanne Eskandari, 2927 East 18th Street, Joplin, Mo."¹

     Ethel Marie Thomas was born on 16 May 1914 at Crestline, Cherokee, Kansas, United States. She was the daughter of John Oliver Thomas and Jennie Ethel Bowers. She died on 28 January 1987 at Joplin, Jasper, Missouri, United States, at age 72. She was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, Jasper, Missouri, United States.
     Biography of Ethel Marie Thomas:
Journal of Libbie Valetta Darr Bowers owned by Marie Bowers Martin, Baxter Springs, Kansas.
Personal interview with Elmer Thomas and Lucille Thomas Terry, Webb City, Missouri, May 6, 1991.
Personal history information compiled by James Riley Gray, husband, Webb City, Missouri, February 24, 1992.

An undated obituary probably from the Joplin Globe, Joplin, Missouri, January 29, 1987, states that she was survived by her husband, James Gray; a son, James Gray, Jr., Seattle, Washington; a daughter, Patricia McCullum, Baker, California; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She had lived in California and moved to Webb City, Missouri, in 1977. She was a member of Webb City First Baptist Church.¹

     Helen Lorene Thomas was born on 6 December 1917 at Galena, Cherokee, Kansas, United States. She was the daughter of John Oliver Thomas and Jennie Ethel Bowers. She married Glenn Newland Spille on 20 June 1936 at Joplin, Jasper, Missouri, United States. She died on 17 July 1974 at Grove, Delaware, Oklahoma, United States, at age 56. She was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery, Jasper, Missouri, United States.
     Biography of Helen Lorene Thomas:
Journal of Libbie Valetta Darr Bowers owned by Marie Bowers Martin, Baxter Springs, Kansas.
Personal interview with Elmer Thomas and Lucille Thomas Terry, Webb City, Missouri, May 6, 1991. Family records compiled by Dennis Glenn Spille, Sr., son, Carthage, Missouri, received by Howard Bowers, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, September 3, 1992, and February 1998.¹

     Clyde Irvin Thomas was born in 1918. He was the son of John Oliver Thomas and Jennie Ethel Bowers. He died on 6 September 1919. He was buried at Pleasant View Cemetery, Spring Valley Township, Cherokee, Kansas, United States.

     Lucy Ann Braden was born on 27 October 1839 at Macoupin, Illinois, United States. She married George Washington Sample, son of Aaron Sample and Anna W. Boyer, on 30 September 1858 at Macoupin, Illinois, United States. She died on 5 November 1875 at probably Jasper, Missouri, United States, at age 36.

     Mildred Louise Thomas was born in March 1921. She was the daughter of John Oliver Thomas and Jennie Ethel Bowers. She died in December 1947 at age 26. She was buried on 6 December 1947.
     Biography of Mildred Louise Thomas:
Journal of Libbie Valetta Darr Bowers owned by Marie Bowers Martin, Baxter Springs, Kansas.
Personal interview with Elmer Thomas and Lucille Thomas Terry, Webb City, Missouri, May 6, 1991.

She was an accomplished musician.¹

     Velma White was born in December 1911 at Carterville, Jasper, Missouri, United States. She married Elmer Lawrence Thomas, son of John Oliver Thomas and Jennie Ethel Bowers, on 6 June 1936 at Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma, United States. She died on 18 May 1969 at Joplin, Jasper, Missouri, United States, at age 57.
     Biography of Velma White:
Personal interview with Elmer Thomas, Webb City, Missouri, May 6, 1991.¹

     Roy E. Terry was born circa 1898 at Webb City, Jasper, Missouri, United States. He married Sylvia Lucille Thomas, daughter of John Oliver Thomas and Jennie Ethel Bowers, on 28 June 1936 at Riverton, Cherokee, Kansas, United States. He died on 28 January 1966 at Jasper, Missouri, United States. He was buried at Mount Hope Cemetery, Webb City, Jasper, Missouri, United States.