Remembering Great Uncle John
Woman in the Middle | May 25, 2015I never knew my Great Uncle John Sampley. He passed away long before I was born. Because he never had any children, I made it my job to collect information about him so he would never be forgotten. I think it is fitting this Memorial Day to remember him.
John was born in 1893 in Alabama, the youngest of five children. By the time he was six years old both his parents had passed away. Records show that he lived first with an uncle, and then later with an older brother. By the time he was 16 he was out of school and farming with his brother Charlie.
The first draft registration for World War I occurred June 5, 1917 when all men ages 21 to 31 had to register. John fell into that group. His registration card says that he was of medium height and build, had blue eyes and dark hair. He wasn’t married and was “engaged in farming.”
Family history says he served overseas during the war. His headstone says he was a private. Family members told me he was exposed to the toxic gas used by the Germans during that war but recovered and returned home.
When he returned from the war he married his wife Virgie. I asked my Aunt Ada about her Uncle John a few years before she passed away. She said he would come in from town with a stalk of bananas and a big bag of candy. The nieces and nephews were allowed to eat all they wanted. “We just loved him,” said Ada. Ada remembers leaving a little ring at his house once, the kind that came in Cracker Jack. Uncle John always teased her that he was going to wear it on his big toe.
John turned 34 on March 5th, 1927. Within a few days of his birthday he came down with influenza. The “flu” turned into bronchial pneumonia. John died at three am March 18th at his home. According to family stories, John’s lungs were weakened by his exposure to gas during the war and this contributed to his death at such an early age.
This Memorial Day I remember my Great Uncle John and all the men and women who sacraficed their health and their lives for the freedom we enjoy here in the United States and to help bring freedom to the many far flung parts of this world. The lives of all Americans are touched by their sacrifices.
Wow – I had never heard of him. Thanks! Enjoy your day….
Great story. I have a few uncles that died before I was born or when I was too young to remember anything but I don’t know anything about them.
I’m sorry he had to die from the flu, which turned into pneumonia, which caused his death that was also complicated by the toxic gas from WW1. It’s too bad he was only 34 and therefore wasn’t able to have any children. At least he led a happy life – despite the fact that he had to serve in the Great War!
So sad that he passed without having any children, the effects of gas was terrible on people well from everything I have read it is and not something most people knew about for many years after the war.
What a shame. What a loss. And your testimonial is a wonderful reminder of the good people lost directly or indirectly as the result of serving our country in war.