HUGH WORKMAN SAMPLE

SAMPLE, JEFFREYS, MANNING, CONABLE

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/4/2020 at 20:22:26

HUGH WORKMAN SAMPLE, was born in Washington, Washington County Pennsylvania, on the 23d of November, 1814. He left school and home at an early age, almost without education, and with only the experience he had gained as a boy in his father's printing office. He commenced his independent efforts as a tanner’s apprentice, but, displaying a trading propensity, he became first a peddler, and then a country merchant. But his ambition and self-confidence soon made him a produce dealer, making his purchases by flatboat at the southern river cities. Feeling equal to the hardships of pioneer life, and being attracted by the prospects in a new country, after selling a cargo at New Orleans, he came to Fort Madison in 1838. Engaging in land speculations, he soon found himself located upon the Des Moines River, in what is now Van Buren County. He returned to Pennsylvania in 1839 and married Esther Jeffreys, by whom he had two sons, Samuel C. and William S., born while he was a farmer, in 1842 and 1843 respectively, both of whom now reside in Keokuk.

About 1844, he engaged in mercantile pursuits, at Fairfield, Jefferson County, Iowa, with Edwin Manning, of Keosauqua. While here, he was elected President of the Board of Public Works by the Democratic party, of which he was then a very active member. About 1848, he identified himself with Keokuk, engaging with Albert Conable in the grocery and provision business, and as a general contractor, making many of the internal improvements of the place. He removed his family from Fairfield in 1849, and in 1850, lost his wife at the Guyger House, now known as the Laclede. During Keokuk’s rapid era, he was known as a Conservative, opposing inflation, selling instead of buying property. And, as a consequence he obtained much reputation for sagacity; and, though embarrassed, weathered the storms of 1857 to 1867, and by hard labor, which proved too much for even his iron constitution and herculean strength, saved a competence for all his successors. He was intensely public spirited, having great confidence in the future of Keokuk, and taking great pride in serving her interests. Her streets, wharves, bridges and ferry, and eastern railway connections, which developed a necessity for that splendid improvement, bear his impress. The beautiful fair grounds, and much of the improvement in the stock of Lee County, are directly traceable to his enterprise and liberality, while, as a self-constituted guardian, he was a terror to social outlaws, from the vagrant to the metropolitan sharper; closing his efforts in his city’s behalf by directing his sons to compound the bonds he held upon the most liberal basis.

As a local politician, he served his city as both Alderman and Mayor; his election to the latter position upon the issue of municipal finances, showing the conversion of over four hundred votes to his views within a year. The conduct of a majority of his party, in inaugurating and abetting rebellion, caused him in 1861, to identify himself with the Republican party, with which he continued to act, in private but influential capacity, in all its important measures, for the preservation of the Union and the emancipation of the oppressed, until his death from overwork, March 31st, 1869.

He was the pride of his family, for which, although not demonstrative, he cherished the most ardent affection; and for every member of which, together with the church of his choice, he made liberal provision by will. He, although because of peculiar characteristics not generally popular, was appreciated, as is clearly evidence by the multitude of his beneficiaries, and the respect accorded him by all who knew him.

As monuments to his memory, his widow has furnished a mansion he designed, and his sons have erected the finest monument in the State.

Source:
Illustrated Historical ATLAS of Lee County, IOWA
A. T. Andreas
Chicago, ILL.
1874

Transcription by Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer