Samuel Austin First 1860-1953

FIRST, COBURN, JACKSON, WALSTON

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 6/27/2022 at 07:49:38

23 November 1953 - The Anamosa Journal

WYOMING - Two pioneer residents of Wyoming died Thursday morning, Nov. 19.

Austin First, 93, died at 6:30 a.m. following a brief illness and Charles B. Shaffer, 87, died at 1 a.m. after a long illness.

Service was held at 3 p.m. Saturday for Mr. First in the Wallace funeral home.

Mr. First was born May 30, 1860, in a log cabin on the Maquoketa river. He was a life-long resident of Jackson and Jones counties.

He is survived by a son, Clarence, Wyoming; two daughters, Mrs. Elmer Coburn, Wyoming, and Mrs. Millard Jackson, Kellerton; 10 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.

30 November 1953 - The Anamosa Journal

WYOMING - Funeral service for Samuel Austin First, 93, who died Thursday, Nov. 19, after a brief illness was held Saturday, Nov. 21, at 3 p.m. at the Wallace funeral home in Wyoming.

Rev. F. E. Somerville, Anamosa, officiated. Vocal duet by his great granddaughters, Veverly Luke and Darlene Bahnsen, was accompanied by Miss Leota Wherry at the piano.

Casket bearers were members of his family: Millard First, Donald First, Lowell Coburn, Ber Bahnsen, Fred Luke and Dear Jackson. Burial was in the Wyoming cemetery.

Austin First was born May 30, 1860, in a log cabin near Canton on a land grant purchased by his parents, Ellis and Susanne Brown First, when they came to the young state of Iowa from Ohio. He moved to Jones county with his parents, his brothers and sister, when he was about three years old.

His first farming operation was near Monmouth. Later he farmed near Hale, and then purchased a farm about two miles east of Wyoming, which was his home for many years. It is now operated by his son.

He was a member of the Methodist church.

Christmas eve, 1887, he was married to Miss Sarah Emma Walston, Hale, who died Oct. 4, 1951.

Three children were born to their union: Clarence, Wyoming; Mrs. Mildred Coburn, Wyoming, and Mrs. Alice Jackson, Kellerton, all of whom survive him. He is also survived by one brother, Byron First, Monticello; 10 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and one great, great grandson.