Samuel Saffel Finley 1838- 1908

FINLEY, SAFFEL, GARRETT, MCCULLY, PERKINS, JOHNSON, BOYER

Posted By: Celia Perkins Crawford (Perkins family) (email)
Date: 8/12/2010 at 15:00:03

The Wapello Tribune Friday, Oct. 16, 1908 page one Wapello, Iowa

Samuel Saffel Finley was born Nov. 12, 1838 in Blount County, East Tenn. His parents were John and Edith Saffel Finley, both of whom were born in East Tenn. When the deceased was four years old the family moved from Tennessee to Iowa and settled near West Point in Lee county. Some time later they moved a few miles nearer to Pilot Grove in the same county. In this vicinity of Lee county, on a farm, with his parents, Samuel Finley grew from childhood to young manhood. And here in his twentieth year, on the 15th of August, 1861 he harkened to his county's call for troops to put down the rebellion. It was President Lincoln's first call and he enlisted in Company B, of the Third Iowa Calvary for service. He served faithfully the whole four years of the Civil War, until the close of the conflict, and proclamation of peace in 1865, when he was honorably discharged.

On his return from war, he came to Louisa county, near Grandview, where his sister, Mrs. Amy Eliza McCully, was living, his parents both having died while he was in the army and the old home in Lee county having been broken up.

He was married to Mrs. Mary J. Garrett on Sept. 20, 1865, at Burlington, by the Rev.B. Dennis, and their home was made in Burlington.

To them were born six children, four sons and two daughters; John, who now resided in Wapello, Iowa; Edward, who lives near Cairo, Iowa; Wesley, who is deceased; Mrs. Jenny Perkins, whose home is near Iowa City, Iowa; Grace Boyer of Wapello, and Harry, who dwells on the old home farm near Morning Sun, Iowa. One stepdaughter, Mrs. Elizabeth Garrett Siverly, lives in Wapello, Iowa

Mr. and Mrs. Finley after their marriage lived in Burlington for two years, then in Pilot Grove for two years; near Grandview, Iowa, about eight years, on a farm near Morning Sun for about 29 years, when they moved to Wapello about two years ago.

Mr. Finley was a good and kind and generous neighbor. A neighbor in need of financial help knew that to ask a a loan of him was to get it if he had it. As a husband he was sympathetic and thoughtful in his home. His devoted wife toiling so many years by his side and having lost her eyesight, he was never unmindful of her need of his assistance so far as possible in the household duties. His children felt that each child had his specially privileged place in his father's affection. As a citizen he was patriotic, upright and respected. As a soldier he loved his county, his flag and his comrades with whom he shared the hardships of that most terrible of wars. He loved his flag and ever remained loyal and true to what it represented.

He had not united with any church nor made a public profession of religion. In his last sickness he said that in his illness he has had a year for preparation to die and he had endeavored to use it; that after all he had suffered he did not want to go to a place of suffering. He felt that God had forgiven him, that he had made peace with God; and was ready to go.

He had been failing in health for about two years. But a little over two years ago his system began depleting quite rapidly with cancer. He underwent surgical operations in Keokuk and Burlington hospitals and had special medical care, but only temporary relief could be had. His loved ones were kind and attentive as were neighbors and friends.

On Tuesday evening, October 13, 1908, about half past 8 o'clock with but little warning the end came and he passed to his reward. He had reached almost three score and ten, being 69 years, 10 months and 29 days old. He is survived by his wife and all of his children but one son, and by two sisters, Amy Eliza McCully of Winterset, Iowa; and Nancy Emiline Johnson; and two brothers; Geo. Finley of Corning, Iowa, and Alexander K. Finley of Burlington, Iowa.

The funeral was held yesterday at the home of Warren Boyer conducted by Rev. J. E. Newson, with interment in the Rice cemetery near Morning Sun.

Note: while in the Civil War, he spent four months in Andersonville, Geoargia prison.