Darius Sams - Was born in Richland County Ohio, June 30, 1829 and departed this life, Nov. 2, 1915, aged 86 years 4 months and 2 days. He was one of a family of eight children, all of whom have preceded him to the great beyond but his youngest brother Henry. He came to Steuben County with his parents in August 1835, and has lived continuously in Jackson Township over 80 years, being at the time of his death the oldest pioneer of Steuben County. He received his education in the country schools on Jackson Prairie, Ontario, Lagrange County, and at the M.E. College at Ft. Wayne, Ind.

On April 21, 1853, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Phebe Lounsbury Sams, and for just 55 years they walked this earth-life together, she preceding him to the better life a little over seven years ago. To this union was born one child, Mrs. Effie Beers, who with her husband has lived with him in the old home and cared for him in his declining years, the last five or six being spent in blindness. Besides the one daughter and one brother, he leaves one step-son, Daniel Sams, of Sturgis Mich., nine grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren. He has been a member of the M.E. church at Flint for about forty years. In his last days he often said, "I hope I have made the world better and not worse for having lived in it." Funeral services were conducted at the old home, Firday Nov. 5,, by Rev. Hornaday. Burial at Jackson Prairie.

My grand father Willie Sams was six when Darius died, he told me about him being blind when I was younger. Darius was my grandfather's step great Grandfather and also his great great uncle.

Submitted By:  Dean Forrester
Email: Sobo1972@cs.com