Sampsons, children and some of the grandchildren of Peter Sampson. Most of these people have been included as they remained in Winneshiek Co. and many of their descendants still reside here. Sampson children still attend school in Winneshiek Co. has they have for generations, but that is another story.

Sampson, Roger

(Jean Shirley Sampson)

Roger L. and Jean S. Sampson 40th Wedding Anniversary September 13, 1982

Roger Leland Sampson was born on 3 May 1918 in Decorah, IA and died 31 Jan 1994 in Decorah following a brief illness. He was the son of William LeRoy and Selma Augusta (Rognas) Sampson who were married 10 May 1917. They were the parents of three sons: Roger, Gordon and Lyle. William LeRoy was born 19 Feb 1888 in Pleasant Twp. and died 4 Dec 1947. William was the son of John William Sampson, the first Norwegian child born in Decorah. John William was born 25 Oct 1854 and died 14 Mar 1912. William’s mother was Florence Emma (Musser) Sampson born 7 Nov 1864 and died 10 May 1938. Roger’s mother Selma Augusta Rognas was born 14 Mar 1894, the daughter of Gullick O. Rognas born 14 Apr 1846 in Valdres, Norway and Ingr Mary Blegen born 28 Feb 1859. Gullick and Mary were married 14 Oct 1880. Gullick died 30 Jun 1923 and Mary died 12 May 1932.

Roger was baptized and confirmed in the Decorah Lutheran Church. He attended Decorah Public Schools graduating with the Class of 1936. He married Jean Shirley Crawford on 13 Sep 1942 in the Frankville Presbyterian Church. On 2 Nov 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and was an instructor on the B-17 in Chanute Field, Rantoul, IL and in 1944 was an instructor on the B-29 in Clovis, NM. He was discharged in Dec 1945 and returned to work for A&P in Waterloo, IA. In 1953 Roger, Jean and their daughter Shirley returned to Frankville to assist in the care of Jean’s mother. Roger began farming. After retiring from farming he worked at Langs’ Dairy Equipment in Decorah. Roger and Jean had two daughters, Shirley and Sharon. Shirley was born in Clovis, NM. She attended the public schools in Frankville and Postville, IA and then graduated from the State College of Iowa (now the University of Northern Iowa) at Cedar Falls. She married H. Dean Foels of Postville on 18 Jun 1967. Shirley and Dean have two children, Christa and Karsten. Sharon was born at Postville. She attended the public schools in Frankville and Postville and graduated from the University of Northern Iowa. On 16 Jun 1973 she married Greg Gowdy. They later divorced and she married Larry Strait on 15 Sep 1985. Larry has two sons, Daryl and Christian.

Home and family came first for Roger. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and camping. His outlook on life was framed by a wonderful sense of humor and a love of giving to others. He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 163 for 48 years, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Lodge 443 for 35 years, of the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows and a Frankville Volunteer fireman for many years. He was an active member of the Frankville Presbyterian Church.

Sampson, William LeRoy and Selma Augusta (Rognas)

(Jean Shirley Sampson)

Family of John William and Emma (Musser) Sampson Left to right: Edward, LeRoy, Harry,

Maurice, Dewey and Loyd.

William LeRoy Sampson was born in Pleasant Twp. 19 Feb 1888, the son of William and Emma (Musser) Sampson. He attended the rural schools and the Valder’s Business College in Decorah. He worked for the Haugen Garage in Decorah and pursued photography as a hobby. He later opened his own commercial studio in the Winneshiek Hotel known as Sampson Photo Art Shop. Aside from commercial photography and finishing, he did enlargements from Kodak negatives, handled Eastman-Kodak supplies and maintained a picture framing department. He lived in Decorah all of his life. On 10 May 1917 he married Selma Augusta Rognas at her parents’ home in Glenwood Twp. The ceremony was a double wedding performed by Rev. O. Glesne, the pastor of Decorah Lutheran Church, which included Selma’s sister, Ida Gustava who married Carl C. Pedersen of Frederics, Wl.

LeRoy and Selma were the parents of three sons: Roger Leland (3 May 1918-31 Jan 1994) married Jean Shirley Crawford on 13 Sep 1942. They were the parents of Shirley Ann and Sharon Ruth. Gordon William (b. 16 Nov 1919) married Vivian Olga Johnson. They were the