Ankrom, Maurice E. > Sampson U. Ankrom

Dr. Maurice E. Ankrom’s Great Grandfather 

 Sampson U. Ankrom:

Sampson Ankrom was the eldest of the ten children of

Richard and Elizabeth Thomas Ankrom who had moved from Waynesburg, Greene County, PA, to Vinton County, OH. He was born on 8 Oct 1837, while they lived in Pennsylvania. He died three days short of his 88^th birthday on Sunday, 5 Oct 1924. He married Margaret June Zeigler on 4 Oct 1857. She died of typhoid fever 21 Oct 1888.

            
From his pension records we learn that Sampson was twenty-eight years when he enlisted in the Union army with his two brothers, Thomas J who died on 13 Sep 1889 and Joseph who died on 8 Mar 1865, the day the 178^Th OVI Regiment moved into battle at Wyse’s Fork, Kinston NC. He died probably of pneumonia and was buried at the New Bern NC National Cemetery, section 17, grave 2893. Their enlistment date was 15 Aug 1864 and Sampson stated he lived at Allensville OH. At that time he was already the father of two sons and a daughter. His occupation was listed as farmer. A description of his personal features indicates he was five feet, eight inches tall, with dark hair, blue eyes and dark of complexion. He and his brother Thomas served as cooks for Co C of the 178 OVI Regiment. According to the 1870 Federal Census for Vinton County, the children of Sampson and Margaret included Leroy C, Sarah A, John H, William J, Mary A, George N, Barbry E and Ina

Sampson made his first application for a disability pension on 3 Feb 1891. His address was listed as 25 Troy Street, Dayton OH. The form also stated he had lived in Vinton, Clinton, and Montgomery Counties since leaving the Army. He gave his wife’s name as Margaret J. Zeigler on a questionnaire, dated 15 Jan 1898, and stated they were married on 4 Oct 1857 in Vinton County OH by Squire Alkin.

His third declaration for pension was made on 27 Sep 1899. His address was listed as 333 S Perry Street in Dayton, and he was receiving $8.00 a month in benefits. This application stated that he was “wholly unable to earn a living by reason of rheumatism, disease of the heart, rectum, nervous prostration, and old age.” In the 1910 Federal Census for Ohio, Sampson Ankrom is listed as living with his daughter Mary A and her husband John W. Brown in Ward 3, Dayton OH. He was listed as 73 years of age. A fourth declaration was dated 4 June 1912 and stated he had lived in Urbana, Sabina, Alexanderville, and Dayton OH. It was also noteworthy that someone else had signed his name and indicated he was blind. His granddaughter Velma Van Houten in a statement later said he was not blind, but could not see well either. On 1 May 1913, in another General Affidavit concerning the date of his birth with an address of 219 Hunter stated: “I had a Bible record but it was destroyed in our great flood.” Again, Sampson did not sign the paper, but made his mark. Two other gentlemen signed as witnesses.

On a Pension Form dated 8 Mar 1915, it seems that Sampson with limited vision listed the names of his children with middle initials (full names were later listed by author): Leroy Clayton (11 Aug 1858), Sarah Arminda (3 Apr 1861), Eveline (1 Jul 1863 “dead’). John Henry (6 Jul 1864), Jasper William (12 Jul 1866), Mary Alma (18 Dec 1868), George Newton (13 Feb 1872), Barbry (Barbara) Ellen (28 Sep 1874), Ina Florence (1 Jun 1878), and Frank Rector (25 Aug 1880). His address was RR1, Trotwood OH.

Sampson Ankrom died on Sunday, 5 Oct 1924, at the age of 87 years. The cause of death listed on his death certificate was acute colitis. He was receiving $50.00 a month at this time and the death notice was sent to Trotwood OH

The granddaughters of Sampson, Velma Van Houten of Dayton and Frieda Senter Hopping of Apopka FL recall their grandfather as being a quiet, reserved person not given to much talking. However, he was “a sweet, lovable person, interested in children and family.” He was a man of quiet dignity, and very careful of his appearance. He kept his shoes polished, and wore a tie. Frieda recalls giving him a manicure which he greatly appreciated.

Sampson Ulysses Ankrom and his wife Margaret Jane Zeigler were married for 31 years. They are buried in the Old Zion Cemetery at Monraine OH in the Dayton Area 

To the right, Dr. Ankrom kneels beside Joseph Ankrom’s marker at the New Bern National Cemetery in New Bern NC.

Note: The above material was excerpted from pages 22-24 of Three Ankrom Brothers in the Civil War by Dr. Maurice E.Ankrom, c1992.

Dr. Maurice E. Ankrom; “Sampson U. Ankrom's son, John Henry Ankrom, was my grandfather, and his son, Walter Jesse Ankrom, was my father.”

By Permission of: Dr. Maurice E. Ankrom
Member - Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
Thomas H. Ruger Camp #1