George Samson dies at 89; Widely Known Educator Served College 27 Years; Rites Will Be Monday
George W. Samson, Sr., 89, formerly professor in the psychology department of Iowa State Teachers college and widely known throughout Iowa as an educator, died at 4 p. m. Saturday here at the Western Old People's home of complications incident to old age.
Born in Indiana in 1852, he came to Iowa in 1853 with his parents, who pioneered in Van Buren, Wapello, and Decatur Counties. After attending country school, he was graduated from the Leon, Iowa high school, worked his way thru Simpson College, at Indianola, Iowa, and was graduated in 1878. There he was a member of Delta Tau Delta. In 1878 he was married to Marie L. Morrison and was admitted to the bar in 1882 but never practiced law. Later he served as superintendent of schools at Tama, Belle Plaine, and Atlantic, Iowa. He joined the staff of Iowa State Teachers College in 1894 and taught for 27 years, retiring in 1921.
Prof. Sampson was a gifted platform speaker and a lover of music, art, and literature. His wife died in 1914. For 25 years thereafter he made his home at the residence of his son, George W., Jr., 507 Tremont Street. For the past four years he had lived at the old people's home. Surviving are three sons, G. W. Samson, Jr., 507 Tremont Street; Paul B., Ypsilanti, Michigan, and Fay W., Minneapolis. One brother, Charles, living in Ohio; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Thompson, Chariton, Iowa, and Mrs. Ava Arnett, Arkansas City, Kansas. He was a member of the Methodist Church and of the Masonic Lodge.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p. m. Monday at the Dahl Funeral Home by Rev. H. J. Faust, superintendent of the Western Old People's Home. It was requested that no flowers be sent. Burial will in Greenwood Cemetery.
Copyright Waterloo Courier, June 28, 1942.