Samuel A. LINCOLN

LINCOLN, GIVIN, GIVEN, TANFIELD, SHULL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/29/2014 at 15:23:50

May 25, 1861 ---- May 14, 1936

S. A. LINCOLN WAS NATIVE OF ILLINOIS
Learned Courage, Self Reliance, at Early Age

S. A. Lincoln, prominent Alton citizen and early resident, passed on at his home here Thursday morning, May 14th, after a brief illness. He was nearly 75 years of age and lived in Alton for more than fifty years.

Samuel A. Lincoln was born on a farm near Round Grove, Whiteside county, Illinois on May 25th, 1861. Not long after his birth, his father was called for service in the Union army during the Civil war, and he was taken by his mother back to her home in Ohio, where the family lived until the end of the war, returning then to Illinois. During the years of financial depression following the war the family experienced the hardships and struggles which were the lot of those early settlers. Of this hardy pioneer stock, the young man learned early the lessons of thrift, self reliance, resourcefulness and courage. At the age of 19 years he left his home to work for an uncle who owned a store at Fort Dodge, Iowa, but in a few years continued still farther west to Eagle Grove, securing a position in the freight office of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway on the new branch line of the railway just built through the newly settled farming country of northwest Iowa. In 1881 he came to Alton as an employee of the same railway. In October 1886, he became associated with F. M. Slagle & Company, an association which continued for fifty years and to which he devoted his full time and energy until a short time before his death. He was secretary of the company and in charge of the lumber department of this large concern with branch yards in two states.

On June 7th, 1893, he was married to Miss Carrie Givin, who had come here from Keokuk, Iowa, some years previously to take charge of the primary department of the Alton Public school. Their marriage took place at Wymore, Nebraska. Three children were born to the couple: Florence, now Mrs. Percy M. Tanfield of Saigon, French Indo-China; Alice, now Mrs. Henry C, Shull of Sioux City; and S. A. Lincoln Jr. of New London, Conn. Mr. Lincoln is survived by his wife and three children and by one brother, Guilford G. Lincoln of Goldfield, Nebraska. Mrs. Shull, who was on a motor trip with her husband in the East when notified of the critical illness of her father arrived with her brother, S. A. Lincoln Jr., a few hours before the death of Mr. Lincoln.

Of the many activities and associations which marked a life of devotion and loyalty to family, friends, community and country, were his duties on the Liberty Loan committee during the War; local Red Cross chairman for many years, a humanitarian work which earned the gratitude of many; member in his early manhood of the Alton volunteer fire department; service on the public school board, of which he was president for many years; long membership in Floyd Masonic Lodge which he served in various offices over a long period of years, and membership in the Sioux City Consistory; member and past Worthy Patron of Century Chapter, Eastern Star; chairman of the local Republican committee, and a strong influence in his party--he attended two national Republican conventions as a state delegate; one of the organizers of the Alton Building and Loan Association, of which he was president for twenty years since its foundation in 1916. He was active in lumber circles, attended conventions of lumbermen's organizations and was president for some years of the Northwest Lumbermen's Association. He was one of the organizers of the Sioux Golf Club and an officer for some years.

Services were held Friday afternoon at the Lincoln home, conducted by A. B. Brooks, First Reader of First Church of Christ, Scientist, of Sioux City--a long-time friend of Mr. Lincoln; and at Nassau cemetery in charge of Floyd Lodge and conducted by G. S. De Mots of Hull. Among out-of-town relatives and intimate friends present were Mr. and Mrs. Clyde E. Brenton of Des Moines and Mrs. Eva McColl of Perry, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. David Burkit of Dallas Center, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Shull, Mr. and Mrs. D. P. Shull, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Knapp, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bekins, all of Sioux City; many other friends from Sioux City and neighboring towns, besides friends and business associates from the Company yards in South Dakota and Iowa. M. J. Golden, division Freight Agent of the C. & N.W. Ry., a business associate of many years, came from De Moines for the services.

Alton Democrat - Alton, Iowa
May 22, 1936

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May 22, 1936
Alton Democrat - Alton, Iowa

S. A. LINCOLN

It would be presumptuous to try to sum up in these columns all that Samuel A. Lincoln meant to Alton and to Sioux County. He was a loyal and progressive citizen of this community before the town was incorporated. Always proud of his home town, he never failed to lend his support and voice to every worth while achievement.

S. A. Lincoln came to Alton as a young man. He was practical and truth-loving and as such prospered in his business affairs. Honesty and loyalty describe his splendid, rugged character in just two words. He was always loyal to his town and county, to his state, and to his friends. The political party of his choice found him loyal and willing at all times to work in the interest of the party. The town and the county have lost a citizen for whom there is no substitute, his friends have lost a companion beyond compare. We loved and respected Mr. Lincoln, the whole town did and everyone who knew him all over the state and in lumbermen's circles throughout the northwest had the same feeling for him. To his beloved wife and children, in whom he had such great joy and pride, one can but add, in the words of a great and good philosopher, "Be of good cheer about death, and know this of a truth, that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death."

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S. A. LINCOLN DIED AT ALTON
Prominent Sioux County Citizen Passed Away Last Thursday

Samuel A. Lincoln of Alton, one of Sioux county's most widely known citizens, died at his home there at 9 o'clock last Thursday morning following a series of severe heart attacks. Mr. Lincoln was in poor health for several weeks this spring, suffering from heart trouble, but had rallied to such an extent that he was able to resume his business duties for about a week recently when he was again stricken and passed away a few days later. Mr. Lincoln was 75 years of age and had lived in Alton for 53 years. When a young man he accepted a position with F. M. Slagle & Co., who operated one of the pioneer lines of lumber yards and elevators in this section and who are still engaged in this business. His natural talents and ability found him a permanent berth with the Slagle company with whom he remained until his death, serving as secretary and treasurer of the company for many years. In addition to his connection with the lumber company, he was a director of the National Fidelity Life Insurance Company of Kansas City and active in civic and social circles. He was long a leader among Sioux county republicans and was a delegate to the republican national convention in 1920.

Mr. Lincoln was born in Whiteside county, Ill., May 25, 1861, and was married on June 7, 1893, to Miss Carrie Given at Wymore, Neb. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Percy Tanfield of Saigon, French Indo-China, and Mrs. Henry C. Shull of Sioux City, and a son, Samuel A. Lincoln Jr., of Norwich, Conn. Besides he has many old friends in Sioux county who are deeply grieved at his passing. Funeral services were held at the Lincoln home at Alton at 2:30 last Friday afternoon and burial was in the Alton cemetery. The Masonic lodge, of which he had long been a member, were in charge of the burial rites at the grave. T. J. Reeves, Walter Scott, F. B. and J. . H. Schoeneman and M. R. Stone of Hawarden attended the funeral.

Hawarden Independent - Hawarden, Iowa
May 21, 1936

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[early resident of Eagle Grove, Wright County, Iowa]