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HON. SAMUEL B. LA FORCE, deceased, was one of the prominent pioneer settlers of Jasper county. He was of French
descent. His ancestors settled in this country before the Revolution and took part in the struggle of the colonies
for independence. His father, Raue La Force, was a native of Virginia, and his mother, Martha (McGee) LeForce,
a native of Kentucky. Samuel B. was born May 15, 1815, and reared in Pike county, Missouri, receiving his education
there, and in October, 1843, came to Jasper county, Missouri, two years after its organization, and settled two
miles north of Carthage, on the prairie, overlooking Spring river and the town, where for many years ha resided
on his large and beautifully located farm.
During his residence in Jasper county, Mr. La Force was a leading citizen. He was elected and served as the second
sheriff of the county, from 1847 to 1851, succeeding John P. Osborn in that office. The same year of his retirement
from the sheriff's office he was elected a representative in the legislature for a term of two years. At the breaking
out of the war he became an active Union man and acted as a guide for General Sigel at the battle of Carthage,
July 5, 1861; afterwards he joined the One Hundred and Fifty second Illinois Infantry, holding a captaincy in that
regiment. At the close of the war he returned to Jasper county, again taking up his, residence on his farm. In
the fall of 1866 he was nominated as the candidate of the Republican party for the offices of clerk of the circuit
and county courts and ex officio recorder of deeds and was elected for a term of four years. Mr. LaForce was always
a capable and faithful officer in all the public positions he was called on to fill, served his four years as clerk
with credit, and retired with the respect of his fellow citizens. During his incumbency of this last office he
removed to Carthage to reside, and survived to an advanced age, dying on the 19th day of April, 1899, at the age
of nearly eighty four years.
He was married April 13, 1837, in Pike county, Missouri, to Miss Lucy Brown, who died some years before her husband.
They had two sons and one daughter, all now dead, the only survivor of the family being Mrs. Arra (Jenkyn) Murto,
a resident of Carthage and a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. La Force, and a daughter of Mrs. Martha (La Force) Jenkyn,
their only daughter.
From:
The Biographical History of Jasper County, Missouri
By Hon. Malcolm G. McGregor
The Lewis Publishing Co.
Chiago 1901
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