The following article was copied from front page of the "Hartford Herald," Hartford KY, Wednesday, Feb 13, 1907.

Samuel SOWDERS was born Nov 18, 1827 and joined the Christian Church at Big Reedy, Butler Co., KY 1849. Married Bertha Phelps Sept 2, 1858. Departed this life in Great Peace Feb 6, 1907 at 6:20 PM. To this union were born 15 children, 11 of whom survive him to mourn the loss of a father every faithful and true, where memory clings to their inmost affections as securely as the great rock of Gibralter. O how we shall miss him in the old home! We shall never see his like again. All that dutiful children could to to make the evening of life glow with sunshine and the ills of age less ?? was done, Ella, Theo, Mary Belle, and Vienna the children at home have the consoling thought that Pa never wanted for anything whilt the other children less favorably situated never missed a chance to do anything that would please Pa. God took him from us and he is no more of earth but in heaven where God and his angels are and with our dear Mother and friends who has gone before. Peace to his Precious Sleeping dust.

Samuel SOWDERS was a remarkable man in many respects. He was born of poor parentage in the hills of Edmonson Co., KY. At that time there was nothing to inspire the youth as today. There was in his breast an innate ambition to achieve something in life, so in his boyhood days he began life's battle with no learning, no wealth, no guide save his neverfailing stock of good common sense which he always brought to bear in life's problems. Like a ship on a ragged seas with out rudder or compass he fought his way courageously to the last with an energy that never faltered under any untoward circumstance, he braved life's storms, made a splendid fight and won a great victory. He educated his children in the best schools of the country, kept them in the best society, taught them to love and serve the God he loved so dearly and so faithful served. He left to his children quite an estate of worldly goods however his brightest legacy to his children and friends is the manly christian character which he exemplified in all the walks of life. He was devoted to his church and its every interest and was never happier than when he could hold sweet converse with his family and friends on the subject of religion. He was a beautiful christian life. He talked freely in his last days about his charge and always gave the fullest assurance of his readiness and willingness to depart and be with Christ.

Our heads are bowed in sorrow now; we feel severely the loss of a fathers guidance, care and good council, but we sorrow not as those who have no hope. We expect to meet our father again in the sweet and happy home beyond this life.

WELL KNOWN OHIO COUNTY MAN WHO DIED LAST WEEK

      In the death of Mr. Samuel Sowders, which occurred last Wednesday night, Ohio county lost one of its foremost citizens, and the Democratic party a life-long and stanch supporter. Born in Edmonson county November 17, 1827, Mr. Sowders moved to Ohio county when a little over twenty years of age. Purchasing property on Green River, he soon gained such competency as would admit of his marrying and nearly half a century ago he wedded Miss Bertha Phelps, daughter of Rivers Julian Phelps, then one of the best-known men in Western Kentucky. From this union resulted fifteen children, eleven of whom are living. Mrs. Sowders died four years ago, and the surviving members of the family are: George Sowders, Green River, Ohio County; Theodore Sowders, Dixon; Julian Sowders, Wheatcroft; Mrs. James Logan and W. R. Sowders, both of Louisville; Mrs. Philip Hocker, Mrs. John B. Bowling, Mrs. T. J. Stevens, Miss Belle Sowders and Miss Ella Sowders, all of Beaver Dam.

Samuel Sowders was a man of exceptional firmness of character. Of good German stock, he constantly displayed the chief characteristics of the people, honesty, frugality without closeness, and a broad-mined charitableness that made his name loved and respected wherever it was known.

This information was provided by Kathy Jones. I typed this from a handwritten copy, and some things weren't clear.

James W. "Jack" Souder, 96, of Fifth Street, Pikeville, died at 10:10
p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, 1998, at Mountain Manor Nursing Home in Pikeville.
He was born in West Virginia, July 23, 1902, a son of the late Lula
Belle Hendrickson and James Isaac Souder. He was a barber and a member
of the First Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife, Myrtle Kelly
Souder; one daughter, Karen Phillips of Lexington; one brother, Eugene
Souder of Beckley, W.Va.; and two sisters, Floretta Smith of Beckley
and Eloise Meadows of Edgewater, Fla. Funeral services will be held at
1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, in the J.W. Call & Son Funeral Home Chapel
with Troy Tackett officiating and burial following in Johnson Memorial
Park at Pikeville. Arrangements are under direction of J.W. Call & Son
Funeral Home of Pikeville.