Arthur
H. Sams
ARTHUR H. SAMS. One of the youngest bank presidents
in Texas is Arthur H. Sams, president of the First National Bank of
Benjamin in Knox county. In every community are men who by force of
character and their capacity for leadership become recognized as
foremost citizens and bear an important part in public affairs. Such a
man is Mr. Sams, who began his career as farmer, later engaged in
merchandising at Benjamin, and is identified with the First National
Bank as president.
Born in Denton county, Texas, April 28, 1876, Mr. Sams is
a Texan by life-long residence. His father, Col. P. C. Sams, is one of
the oldest and most honored merchants in west Texas. A resident of the
state since 1857, he has given all his active career to merchandising,
and is still proprietor of one of the large stores in Benjamin. During
the war between the states, he was a loyal Confederate serving in a
Texas regiment, and in one battle had the fingers of his left hand shot
off. In 1912 he celebrated his golden wedding anniversary. For more
than fifty years he has been active in the affairs of the Christian
church, and his wife is likewise devoted to the same denomination. Col.
Sams is everywhere known by his title, although he was not an officer
in the army. His marriage to Mollie Horner was celebrated in Arkansas.
She was a native of Missouri, and immediately after their marriage
removed to Texas. There were eight children in the family, of whom the
banker was fourth in order of birth.
Arthur H. Sams obtained his early education in the public
schools, and has been practically earning his own way in the world
since he was fourteen years old. His first regular employment was on a
ranch at a salary of twenty dollars per month, and he continued to work
for wages in that line for five years. After that, two years were spent
in farming, and he then bought an interest in a store at Benjamin, and
prospered as a merchant here for eight years. At the end of that time
he assisted in the organization of the First National Bank, and when
the bank opened for business he stood at the window as cashier. Five
years later the directors elected him president and he has since
directed the affairs of one of the most substantial banking
institutions of Knox county. His interests include much more besides
banking, since he is the owner of a large amount of land and cattle,
and buys and ships live stock to all the markets.
At Seymour, Texas, on October 31, 1897, Mr. Sams married
Miss Roma Cockerell, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Cockerell of
Baylor county. To their marriage have been born five children, two sons
and three daughters, as follows: Herbert, Ruby, Jewell, Bernice, Mary
Bell, and Arthur H., Jr. The family worship in the Christian church,
and Mrs. Sams is a member of the Ladies Aid Society, the Mothers Club
and other religious and social organizations. Fraternally Mr. Sams is
affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen of the
World, and at the present time is treasurer of the Benjamin Commercial
Club. In politics he is a voter only, but has always given his support
to the Democratic principles. Outside of business he finds recreation
in outdoor life, especially in fishing and hunting, and is a thorough
home man devoted to the interests and welfare of his family.
from A History of Texas and
Texans,
by Frank W. Johnson.
The American Historical Society. Chicago, 1914. Vol. III,
p.
1291.