Samuel "Sam, Uncle Sam" Doll
Burial Details
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 1 - April 16, 1932
Obituary, by Miss Anna Anderson.
Samuel DOLL was born in Osnaburg, Stark county, Ohio, on February 7, 1846,and died at the home of his nephew, John FRY, in Gypsum, Colo.,Saturday, April 16, 1932,at the age of 86 years, 2 months and 9 days.
His boyhood days were spent in Osnaburg along with his parents and three brothers and one sister. When the Civil war broke out, he, like all other boys, was anxious to get into the fray, so, though only a lad of 15, he along with his brother, Hiram enlisted in the Army of the Cumberland 19th regiment, Ohio infantry. This was in the fall of 1861.
He took active part in the battles of Shilo, Nashville, and other battles. Many were the hardships endured, many were the times he escaped being captured narrowly for being an adventurous and daring lad, he was often sent to forage for food for the company. It was such adventures that made him into the bold brave pioneer that he was.
At the close of the war, not being content with the quiet life at home, he ventured forth to Logansport, Ind. From this time on his enterprises and business adventures were many; he was not afraid to try anything and nearly all his attempts turned out successfully. He remained in Logansport just a short time and from there he went to Chicago, where his interests and works were many and varied.
He first came to Colorado in 1883, but he did not remain here permanently then, as he went back and forth to Chicago from time to time. He took up land at Dotsero and in Gypsum valley, property which he held at the time of his death, thus making the beginning of a big ending.
He was one of Eagle county's faithful pioneers. He had a big part in the upbuilding of every worthy enterprise and took an active part in affairs until about sixteen ears ago, when, after a severe sick spell, he was forced to retire from active life.
He was a friend to all; he was known to every one as Uncle Sam. Especially did he love little children,and, having none of his own, he bestowed his kindness upon the children of the community. How he loved to walk down the street and talk to every little child he met, and never did he fail to have for them a piece of candy. He called them all his "little customers."
Little by little he has been growing more feeble for the past year and a half, being practically confined to his home since that time, and the visits from the children meant so much to him.
He was able, however, to conduct his personal business affairs until the very last. About six weeks ago he seemed to contract a cold from which he could not recover. He remained in his chair until Tuesday of last week, when he was forced to his bed.
The end came swiftly and quietly and the last spark of life went out at noon on last Saturday.
Being a member of the McKinley Post G.A.R. and an honorary member of Eagle River post No. 150, American Legion, always supporting their enterprises and being interested in their work, it is fitting and proper that they accord to him the respect they bestow upon him today.
So has passed another Civil war veteran and a brave pioneer of the West. Each day the ranks of these men grows smaller, and fade into history as he has--Uncle Sam DOLL.Surviving him is one brother, Frank DOLL of Gypsum, as well as many nieces and nephews, even unto the fourth generation, and hosts of friends, who will miss him sadly.
Following the services in the Post quarters, the body was escorted to Cedar Hill cemetery by the Legion, where it was laid to rest with full military honors.
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 1 - April 16, 1932
DEATH OF A GRAND OLD GENTLEMAN: "UNCLE SAM" DOLL ANSWERS THE LAST ROLL CALL.
When the death of "Uncle Sam" DOLL was announced shortly after noon last Saturday every man,woman and child in Gypsum bowed their head in sorrow. Mr. DOLL was one of the most beloved citizens of Gypsum valley and everyone feels his loss. He had been one of the leading citizens of the county for nearly 50 years, and if he had made an enemy during that time, no one knows who it is.
Funeral services for Mr. DOLL were held from the American Legion hall, which was packed to overflowing by sorrowing friends, who had come to pay their last respects to a man whom they loved and respected during his life time.
It had been one of his last requests that he be buried with military honors, and accordingly the entire service was in charge of Eagle Valley Post No. 150 American Legion, of which he was an honorary member. The Post carried out the ceremony in splendid manner.
During the services at the hall a male quartet--J.D. ALLEN, Chester MAYER, H.K. BROOKS and W.S. BROWN--sang Rock of Ages Nearer My God to Thee and Tenting Tonight. The quartet was accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Alvin RULE and on the violin by Gene K. LUBY.
The pall bearers, all from the Legion Post were H.A. STEIN, F.W.CAVE, E.P. COLBURN, Arthur STREMME, Jesse MAXSON, Lester MAXSON.
The funeral discourse delivered by Rev. C. STOCKINGER, a Legion member and local pastor of the Methodist church, was one of the most masterly and appropriate funeral orations ever delivered in this community and we publish it as follows:
By Rev. C. R. STOCKINGER
"How sleep the brave who sing to rest
By all their country's wishes blest!
When Spring, with dewey fingers cold,
Returns to deck their hallowed mold.
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod.
By fairy hands their knell is rung,
By forms unseen their dirge is sung.
There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray,
To bless the truth that wraps their clay
And Freedom shall awhile repair
To dwell a weeping hermit there.
One by one the veterans of the Civil war have been crossing over to that other country. Few remain with us. When the roll is called here, many voices remain silent; but they are answering Adsum, I am present, when the roll is called over there.
I shall speak from a subject suggested by a passage of Scripture. It is Ecclesiastes 7:and reads, "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of birth."
This is a bit of ancient philosophy. It brings together two thoughts that are distinct, but which nevertheless have a vital connection. Viewing the second part of this verse of Scripture, one has a feeling that this man was a pessimist and wonders whether he could have seen truth clearly. Before hasty judgment is passed, let us examine the first member of this pair of connected utterances. If discernment and penetration are in evidence there, confidence in the soundness of the other will be easier.
The writer is saying that a good name is better than precious ointment. Now precious ointment was a costly preparation and served various uses in the East of that early day and in Palestine. Because of its value it was used as a medium of exchange; it was money. The statement, then, might be changed to read "A good name is better than money." I am sure none of us feels any hesitance in believing that. We are convinced that integrity and honor count for more than money. Of course it is not necessary to set character against money as if they were mutually exclusive.Often they are found together. But if one had to choose either money or a good name, who of us would hesitate to let all the wealth of the world go and hold fast to his name of honor! Surely, so far, the author of these joined statements sees eye to eye with ourselves.
Precious ointment was also used to qualify a person for a special dignity or task. It so functioned at the coronation of the king and at the consecration of the priest. But it might never be a substitute for character. No ceremony of initiation,no procedure of inauguration into office can qualify a man for either public or private enterprise when the quality of his life is weak or bad. Again we are able to feel the penetration of this writer's statement.
Again, precious ointment was used in worship ritual and thus became an act of religion. It symbolized prayer. But there is no act of religion that can take the place of a good life. Neither prayer, nor church attendance, nor all the ritual of all the prayer books are worth a jot in the sight of God or man when separated from honor, integrity and character in the daily round of life. Of course, we are no setting worship over against ethics as if they did not belong together. They do belong together. Both are required for this complete life. But if we have to choose one or the other, give us the good name. The precious ointment can go. We are in agreement with the author of old.
At the approach of death,precious ointment found another of its uses. The anointing with the sacred oil was felt to be a final preparation for the trip into the great Unknown. But who would care to venture his chances in eternity on so slim a hope as that? Surely precious ointment would be thin veil with which to hide a wicked life from the eye of God. Again there is no substitute for character. We are amazed at the penetration of this ancient man who could set down in so brief a compass of words so profound a truth.
"A good name is better than precious ointment."
Having established confidence in the discernment of the writer, we are now prepared for the astonishing thing he goes on to say. He declares,"The day of death is better than the day of one's birth." This is not the language of a pessimist who sees life as a dull, drab burden. It is the expressed conviction of an optimist who sees what we call death as a translation into a better, finer fuller life. It is not that he is talking life down, but that he is talking eternal life up. He has known this life as a glorious adventure colored by the roseate hues of friendship and accomplishments. He has discovered that God is present in human life. But he is convinced that in the next life friendships will be finer and lasting; accomplishments will be more noble and satisfying; and that one will walk with God in an intimacy that is never known on this earth.
But this is true only for the man who has a good name, and who has made the most of this life. In a book written over a hundred years ago a poem is quoted that expresses the very thing I am trying to say:
"A spotless name,
By virtuous deeds acquired, is sweeter far
Than fragrant balms, whose odors round diffused
Regale the invited guests, well may such men
Rejoice at death's approach, and bless the hours
That end their toilsome pilgrimage assured
That till the race of life is finished none
Can be completely blessed."
Certainly one who has known God's goodness and blessing in this life can go out into eternity assured that he will make no mistake by trusting himself in God's hands there."
At the conclusion of his discourse, Mr. STOCKINGER read the obituary prepared by Miss Anna ANDERSON, county superintendent of schools and a close friend of the deceased.
