My Genealogy Hound

HORATIO G. SAMSON. One of the pioneer farmers and business men of Berrien is the gentleman whose name introduces this notice, and who is a prominent resident of the village of Buchanan. As the result of energy and perseverance, he has acquired extensive property interests, and is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres in Buchanan Township, Berrien County, ten acres within the corporate limits of the village of Buchanan, and two farms in Van Buren County, one having one hundred and twenty acres, and the other consisting of eighty acres.

In Kingstown, Mass., our subject was born on the 7th of July, 1812. His father, George W., was born in Massachusetts in December, 1781, and in his youth was a sailor, shipping as mate from Boston to all the foreign ports. He was not more than seventeen years of age when he was captured by the French, and was their prisoner for one year. After his marriage he located on a farm in Massachusetts, remaining there until 1812, when he removed from the Bay State to New York and settled in Homer, Cortland County. For a time he followed agricultural pursuits, but in 1827 he became the proprietor of an hotel, and was landlord of hotels in various places until he retired from business. On the 4th of February, 1868, he died at Homer, N. Y., being at that time eighty-seven years old.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, Simeon Samson, was born in Kingston, Mass., August 1, 1736, and served during the entire period of the Revolutionary War, never receiving a cent for his services. He filled the position of Captain on a privateering vessel during the Revolutionary War. The family originated in England, and its representatives have been prominent in their various communities for generations past. The mother of our subject, Hannah (Shaw) Samson, was born in Middlebury, Mass., August 17, 1782, and died October 22, 1865. Her father, John Shaw, was a native of Massachusetts and traced his ancestry to England.

The thirteen children born to George W. and Hannah Samson were named as follows: Simeon, John Shaw, George W., Deborah C., Mary E., Lorenzo T., H. G., Isaac M., Maria, Asenath P., Barclay, Hannah S. and Hannah (the second). Our subject started out in life for himself at the age of nineteen years, and for a time was employed at any occupation he could find. After working in an hotel for a short period, he sailed for the banks of Newfoundland on a fishing tour, hoping thereby to materially benefit his health. He remained there until September, 1834, when, with health greatly improved, he returned to Cortland County, N. Y., where he engaged as a peddler of dry goods. For seven months he traveled through the surrounding country in his wagon, and then accepted a clerical position in a general store at Cazenovia, N. Y., where he remained until December, 1835.

On the 26th of April, 1836, Mr. Samson started for Michigan, making the trip via the canal to Buffalo, thence by steamer to Detroit, and from there to Berrien County, Mich., arriving at Niles in June. In that city he secured a situation as clerk in the store of J. C. Larimore, with whom he remained until September of the same year. He then accepted a similar position with the firm of Slater & Enos, of Niles, and later, when the partnership was dissolved, our subject accompanied Mr. Slater to Elkhart, Ind., and was employed in his store at that place. When the business was closed out there, Mr. Samson returned to his former position as clerk in Mr. Larimore’s store, and remained in that establishment until December, 1837.

In company with Frederick Howe (who afterward became his father-in-law), our subject went to Texas, and upon his return to Michigan stayed in Niles only temporarily, soon removing to Wisconsin and operating a farm there. Upon locating in Berrien County, he bought a farm consisting of one hundred and sixty acres in Bertrand Township, and made his home on that place for about four years. After selling that farm, he purchased sixty acres in Buchanan Township and has added to his original purchase until he is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres included in that farm. In 1860 he removed to his present home in Buchanan.

August 26, 1843, Mr. Samson married Miss Adelina E. Howe, who was born in Cortland County, N. Y., and was there reared to womanhood. They are the parents of six children, namely: Marie, who is at home; George W., residing in Buchanan; Emma E., who is also with her parents; Lunette, who married W. Jennings; and Jennie, wife of F. Sturtevant.