From the book entitled: A History of Northwest Missouri, Volume 2
Edited by Walter Williams
Publisher: General Books LLC (March 12, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1153850222
ISBN-13: 978-1153850223
Page 1172-1173
Samuel A. Sandy was reared on his father's farm in the Old Dominion
State, was brought up with the idea of becoming a tiller of the soil,
and secured his educational training there in the country schools. When
he was eighteen years of age he began working out by the month on farms
in the vicinity of his birthplace, and continued to be so engaged for
four years. Mr. Sandy came to Missouri in 1870, arriving at Norborne,
Carroll County, March 18 of that year. He had a working capital of
eighteen dollars, but on the night of his arrival he was exposed to the
measles, which he contracted, his illness incapacitating him for three
weeks and consuming his capital. When he had sufficiently recovered he
found employment as a farm hand and for four years worked by the month
for Thomas H. Wollard, S. A. Wollard and others. During the next three
years he was engaged in operations on rented land, and in 1878 he
became a proprietor when he purchased his first tract of land, a piece
of sixty acres of raw prairie, which formed the nucleus for his present
handsome farm. In the spring of the same year he built a frame house,
14x24 feet, and one and one-half stories in height, and here began to
make his home. At this time he has 177 acres, of which forty acres are
located in Carroll County and the remainder in Ray County. His property
is in the finest shape imaginable, a model of neatness, with its fine
machinery, equipment and appliances of every kind, and as bright as the
proverbial new pin. The buildings are of substantial character and
modern architecture, and the whole property eloquently attests the
presence of thrift and able management. Mr. Sandy for the greater part
devotes himself to general farming operations, but for the past
fourteen years has also been engaged in stockraising, making a
specialty of Shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs and securing
top-notch prices in the markets for his product. Mr. Sandy has never
desired public office, but has ever been ready to aid his
fellow-citizens in securing public benefits. He has passed his
sixty-sixth year, but still is active and alert and takes a keen
interest in all that affects his community. He and Mrs. Sandy are
consistent members of the Brethren Church. They have had eleven
children, as follows: Charles F., who is a resident of Idaho; David W.,
whose home is in Daviess County, Missouri; Susan V., who is the wife of
M. M. Brink, of New Mexico; Sallie, who is the wife of S. G. Newham, of
Ray County, Missouri; Cora, who is the wife of E. E. Brunk, of Dexter,
New Mexico; and Mittie, Kate, Raleigh, Grace, Lois and Eunice, who are
all at home with their parents.
On December 23, 1874, Mr. Sandy was married to Miss Minnie Rhodes, who
was also born in Rockingham County, Virginia, a daughter of David B.
and Sarah (Zigler) Rhodes. The father was born in Rockingham County,
August 20, 1828, and died May 15, 1902, in Idaho, while on a visit.
Mrs. Rhodes was born in Rockingham County, Virginia, July 15, 1837, and
died January 18, 1909. Mr. and Mrs. Rhodes were the parents of eight
children, all of whom are living, as follows: Mrs. Sandy; Emma F., who
is the widow of John C. Van Tremp, formerly a prosperous farmer of Ray
County; Laura A., who is the wife of Samuel K. Rhodes, of Ray County;
John M., who lives-in this county; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Samuel
E. Hogan, of Ray County; Sidney C., who lives in Idaho; Jacob S.,
living in California; and Iva, the wife of Luther I. Miller, of Ray
County.
David b: Rhodes was reared in Virginia and there attended the public
schools until reaching the age of eighteen years, at which time he
started to learn the trade of carpenter, an occupation which he
followed for ten years. He was married in 1856 and in 1858 partially
gave up carpentering and engaged in farming, which he followed in
Virginia until 1868, and in that year came to Ray County. Here he
settled on a farm in Section 35, Grape Grove Township, purchasing
ninety-six acres of land on which he carried on farming and
stockraising up to the time of his death. During the period of the
Civil war, .Mr. Rhodes lived in the "burned district" of the Shenandoah
Valley, and suffered considerable loss by reason of the ravages of
warfare, but his courageous spirit and determination did not allow him
to become discouraged, and in after years he was able to accumulate
another fortune and to die in comfortable circumstances. He was one of
the substantial men of his section and one who could be implicitly
relied upon to perform conscientiously and well the duties of
citizenship. He and his wife were consistent members of the German
Baptist Church and wherever known were highly respected and esteemed.
