New Castle News 1 December 1911 p.1,14
Universal sorrow is caused by the death of Luther H. Sample, one of New Castle's venerable and highly regarded men, which occurred early Thursday morning at the family residence, 505 North Liberty street, Seventh ward.
Mr. Sample, who was past 79 years of age, had been a resident of New Castle for many years, and was one of the most influential and substantial of her citizens. By all who knew him, he was esteemed, and his advice and opinions were held in high regard. On account of his advanced age, he had not been in the best of health, and for the past month, had been steadily declining in strength and vitality. The end came at 12:30 o'clock Thursday morning.
The deceased was a man of broad sympathies, high principles, and of genial, pleasing manners, which won him the cordial good will of all. His was a true Christian character, and his death brings a sense of personal loss to hundreds of friends, in addition the the bereaved family.
Luther H. Sample was born July 30, 1832, on Park way, Allegheny, and was a son of Thomas and Margaret Ann (Logan) Sample. The great-grandfather, James Sample, and the grandfather, being the same name, served as officers in the Revolutionary war, the former with the rank of colonel, and the latter, as a captain. The family home was in Allegheny county, and on the old Sample homestead there, Thomas Sample, the father of the deceased was born January 8, 1791. He was the second male child born of white parentage north of the Allegheny River. He was brought up on the old farm near Millvale, and in early manhood, carried on a tanning business with his cousin, Judge William Hays later of Pittsburg. After his marriage in 1816, to Margaret Ann Logan, who was born at Logan's ferry, on the Allegheny, he moved to allegheny and there established the Sample tannery. For over 20 years, he served as a justice of the peace for Ross township, which late became a part of the city of Allegheny. Thomas Sample was the second mayor of Allegheny, Gen. William Robinson, who was the first white child born north of the Allegheny river, being the first mayor.
In 1843, Thomas Sample, the father of the deceased, bought a farm of 100 acres in Lawrence county, then in North Beaver township. At present the old farm is the site of a number of industries of this city, including the tin mill, stamping works, the forge and bolt works, tin can factory and the box factory. The father made his home on this farm until his death, which occurred August 9, 1876, when he was 86 years of age.
In his youth, Luther H. Sample was apprenticed to a carriagemaker, but worked at his trade for only one year and then returned to the farm for several years. His brother, James T. Sample, was in the drug business in Allegheny, and remained interested in this business for three years. He then returned again to the farm, to care for it and for his aged parents.
In 1877, he was married to Mary J. Shannon, a daughter of Thomas Shannon, and they were the parents of 11 children, ten of whom survive, as follows: Mrs. Margaret, wife of J.C. Patterson of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Mrs. Mary B., wife of Thomas L. Mornes of this city; Walter S. of this city, Oliver H. of Pittsburg, Robert, Miss Jane, Mrs. Rachel, wife of J.W. Blosser, Miss Clara, Howard and Roy, all of this city. One other child, Ruth, died in childhood.
The deceased was a charter member of the Mahoningtown Presbyterian church, and for years was a trustee in the congregation. In politics, he was a Republican, and had always taken a keen interest in important questions of the day. Mr. Sample was a 32d degree Mason, belonging to Mahoning Lodge, No. 243, F.& A.M., Della Chapter, Lawrence Commandery No. 62, K.T., Hiram council, Lodge of Perfection and also to the Pittsburg consistory.
Mr. Sample was one of a family of seven sons, and is survived by two brothers, Rev. J. Logan Sample of this city, and Thomas Sample of Ashville, N.C. Another brother, James T. Sample, who was for years in the drug business in Allegheny, later went to England, where he made his home with a son until his death. The funeral services will be held on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the family residence and the remains will be laid to rest in Greenwood cemetery.
