BOOKER, Samuel Frank - 1890 Bio (1823-1899)

BOOKER, BERRY, MAGILL, WILKINS, SANDS

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/29/2007 at 12:09:22

Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties, Iowa, Printed 1890 by Lake City Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 608-609

Samuel F. BOOKER who is now living in Fairfield, is numbered among the early settlers of Jefferson County. The history of his life is as follows: He was born in St. Clairsville, Belmont County, Ohio, on the 14th of July, 1823, his parents being William and Patience (BERRY) BOOKER. His father was born near Winchester, Va., in 1791, and his mother, who was a year his junior, was a native of Brownville, Pa. In their childhood, they accompanied their respective families to Ohio, where they became acquainted and were married, locating in St. Clairsville. Mr. BOOKER was proprietor of a saddler's shop at that place and did an extensive business. One of the saddles which he manufactured in 1832 is now in possession of our subject. He was a keen, shrewd and energetic business man who generally accomplished whatever he undertook. No ordinary impediment or obstacle could deter him from pursuing a plan but he always found some way in which to overcome the difficulty. In an early day he carried on trading on the Ohio River and also dealt in lands. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Belmont Bank, of St. Clairsville, Ohio, which was one of the important moneyed institutions of its day. While living in St. Clairsville, he held the office of Postmaster for a number of years. In 1859 he removed to Ralls County, Mo., where he had acquired lands, in order to devote his attention to the care of his property. His character was worth (sic) of every honor paid it and as an example of his uprightness and the high regard in which he was held, we state that he was made one of the executors having in charge the estate of the noted Jacob E. Grove. On becoming a voter Mr. BOOKER identified himself with the Democratic party, but at the time of Van Buren's nomination for the Presidency he became a supporter of the Whig party, and on the organization of the Republican party joined its ranks. During the war he was outspoken in favor of the policy of President Lincoln and continued a warm defender of his party's principles until his death, which occurred in 1878. His wife spent her last days at the home of our subject and had attained the ripe old age of eighty-two years when her life here was ended.

Samuel F. BOOKER is one of the worthy and respected citizens of Jefferson County. In his youth he was surrounded by Christian influences which did much to mould the character which has been admired by his many friends for its excellencies. His educational advantages were also superior to those afforded many youths of his day. He became familiar with the higher branches of mathematics inlcuding geometry and surveying and his scholastic training also embraced a course in Latin. He was thus somewhat fitted for his life work, yet on starting out to battle with the world he had not the advantages of capital. At the age of eighteen, he went down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, shipping produce to that market, after which, for some sixteen years, he was engaged in buying and selling horses, from which business he realized a good income.

On the 18th of May, 1848, Mr. BOOKER was united in marriage with Miss Narcissa A., daughter of William and Harriet (MAGILL) WILKINS. Her birth occurred at St. Clairsville, Ohio, December 12, 1829, where her father ran a saddler's shop for some years. He was a native of South Carolina but was reared in Pennsylvania and when a young man removed to Ohio, where he was married. His wife was a native of Winchester, Va. Both died at St. Clairsville, respected by all who knew them. They were members of the Methodist Church and consistent Christian people. Mr. WILKINS served as associated judge of the court of common pleas.

In 1854, accompanied by two companions, Mr. BOOKER came to Jefferson County and as he found the country all that he anticipated, he made purcuase of one hundred and sixty-five acres of land on section 27, Buchanan Township, which is still in his possession. He then returned to the East and for some time longer was engaged in dealing in horses. At the breaking out of the war he took some stock to Baltimore and at Harper's Ferry he and some others who were engaged in the same business were taken from the caboose and made prisoners in the room where John Brown had been captured, but the Confederate authorities soon afterwards released them. He succeeded in making a sale of his horses and in payment received a note indorsed (sic) by Stonewall Jackson. Two weeks passed before he could get the note discounted and then he suffered some annoyance before he was permitted to leave; in fact, had it not been for his friend, Capt. James Hunter, he would probably not have succeeded in so doing. In 1865 Mr. BOOKER took up his residence on his farm in Jefferson County and continued its development and improvement until 1878. One glance from a passer-by would serve to indicate that the owner was a man of thrift and enterprise who thoroughly understood his business and spared neither labor nor expense in making it what a farm of the 19th century should be. Since 1878 he has spent a considerable portion of his time in Missouri. On the death of his father, he was made administrator of the estate, which involved him in litigation concerning the Grove estate but this he brought to a successful termination. In his various business enterprises he has succeeded in acquiring a competence which enables him to spend his declining years in quiet retirement from business cares.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. BOOKER have been born four children who are yet living -- Anna P., wife of Robert SANDS; Charles H., who is employed as a bookkeeper in Cleveland, Ohio; Harry F., a merchant of Fairfield; and Clara G. The last named is one of the triplets but the other two died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. BOOKER hold membership in the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he is a Republican and has held the office of Assessor. A large circle of friends and acquaintances hold them in high esteem, and knowing this sketch will be read with interest by many, we are pleased to record it on the pages of the history of their adopted county.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.