Son of Sampson & Susanna Tomlinson Thistle. Born on farm which is now part of New Martinsville. Married 15 Dec 1858 to Dorinda Talbott Wells in Tyler Co, WV. Died at 67 years from "interstitial cattarrh." Grave stone lists date of death as Feb 16, 1980, but death record lists date of death as Feb 17, 1890. 2nd death record lists date of death as Feb 16, 1890 at 64 years with cause of death as "grippe," with burial date as Feb 18, 1890. It also listed birth county as Ohio.

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The Tyler Democrat, Sistersville, WV

Sampson Thistle, Sr. At Rest

Last Monday week (sic), the 10th (?), Mr. Sampson Thistle, Sr. went to his home feeling badly and complaining somewhat of bad health and in the following Sunday Morning at 10:00, he was a corpse.

The subject of this notice was born in Ohio County, Virginia, now Wetzel County, West Virginia, on the "old Thistle farm" on Wednesday about 12:00 M., May 16th, 1822 and was therefore in his 87 (sic) year when he died.

He was the son of Sampson and Susanna Tomlinson Thistle who departed this life in 1856 and 1866.

The family record shows that Sampson Thistle was married to Miss Dorinda T. Wells who survives him on the 15th of December 1858 by the Rev. Woodyard.

Three children were born to them, but one, "little Archie" as he was known, died when about two and a half years of age; the other two, Charley and Miss Maude, are left to mourn the loss of one of the best, kindest and most caring and considerate of fathers. He leaves three brothers and three sisters.

Mr. Thistle has been in active business in this place for a long period of years. He first commenced to clerk for the firm of McCoy and Thistle which firm was composed of William McCoy, deceased and Archie Thistle, about the year 1848. The firm's name was in a short time changed to the name of A. Thistle and Company and was composed of A. and S. Thistle and Wm. McCoy. The firm was again changed to A. and S. Thistle and continued in that name up to the day of his death. The firm was commenced about the year 1849.

It will be hard for many of our readers to realize the sad fact that the well known firm of A. and S. Thistle has been dissolved by the hand of death and that Uncle Samp, as most all called him, has passed from time to eternity. How many people can thank him for his indulgence to them in a pecuniary way for help to buy them a home? How many was he father to who had been called upon to lose their father in death? In truth, can any one recount his thousands of acts of disinterested kindness? God only can answer these questions and all deeply feel his loss.

One of his marked and commendable traits was in taking the bright side of life. In his last illness when asked how he felt, his answer was invariably, "I will be better in the morning." So in all his life he was always ready to find a bright side in all trouble and a cheering word for all who went to him for advice and comfort.

His sickness was not accompanied with any particular pain, and he fell asleep a short time before he died and thus passed from time to eternity so quick and peaceful that his death was hardly perceptible.

The funeral services were conducted at his late residence Tuesday afternoon, by the Rev. Hammond, of the M.E. church of New Martinsville, after which his remains were laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery and were followed to the grave by a large concourse of friends and relatives. In conclusion, we can only say to the bereaved wife, children and relatives and friends, that he was a good, true husband, a dear and kind father and friend and one whose whole life has been spent to make those around him happy. Remember that in these afflictions God orders all for the best and look to him for consolation and fortitude. Bereavement is the lot of man; none can escape it; all must have their days of mourning. Such is the allwise provision of the Ruler of the Universe.