Samuel S. Sisson.—The death of Samuel S. Sisson, March 3, 1909, meant the passing of one of the most successful and able lawyers of the State of Kansas. He had for years been known and recognized in the profession as one of the leaders, and his counsel had been sought on many occasions when the affairs of State were at stake. In Harper county, Mr. Sisson was recognized as the leading attorney, and it was seldom that a case of importance was tried in the courts of that county, that he did not represent one side or the other. From the very first he was closely identified with every move for the betterment of Harper and Harper county, and after he had been in the State, but a short time, he was recognized as one of its leading men. He had frequently been asked to accept office, but always refused, preferring to devote his time to his extensive law practice. Samuel Sisson was a native of Ohio, born in Galia county, April 24, 1848, a son of Dr. N. B. and Mary Sisson, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Kentucky. The father was a physician, and during the Civil War was a surgeon in the United States Army. They were the parents of the following children: Samuel S., the subject of this review; Caroline Miranda, born August 24, 1859, married Dr. Charles G. Parker, of Gallipolis, Ohio, and Nelson Ellsworth, born August 20, 1863. The latter came to Kansas in 1884, and was prominent in the affairs of this State several years, and later went to Oklahoma where he was United States Marshal, and Indian agent at different times, and is now engaged in the manufacturing of ice at Oklahoma City, Okla. Samuel S. Sisson was married June 5, 1880, at Bushnell, Ill., to Miss Mary Luella Pearson, an estimable woman who survives her husband and now resides at Harper, Kans. She was born at Macomb, Ill., May 11, 1859, a daughter of John B. and Mary Virginia (Ervin) Pearson, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. The father was a merchant, and died in 1883, and the mother now resides at Bushnell, Ill. To Samuel S. Sisson and wife were born two children: Mary Evalyn, born at Bushnell, Ill., March 28, 1881, graduated from the Harper High School, class of 1899, taught school in Harper, Kans. until 1904, when she accepted a position as teacher in the public schools of Kansas City, Mo., where she is now engaged, and Myrtle Garnet, born at Harper, Kans., August 5, 1883, married William A. Tihen, March 4, 1897. Mr. Tihen is a native of Jefferson City, Mo., born April 3, 1880, and is a son of Herman and Ann Tihen. To William A. Tihen and wife has been born one child, Samuel Sisson, born October 21, 1908. In reviewing the character and life work of Samuel S. Sisson the esteem in which he was held by his fellow lawyers as set forth in the following resolution, following his death, seems appropriate here. "Whereas: The members of the bar of this county have been notified of the death of Samuel S. Sisson, a member of this bar; and whereas we desire to give expression, in some measure, at least, to our sense of loss in the death of Mr. Sisson. Be it resolved: That we recognized Mr. Sisson as one of the ablest, most upright, honorable, manly, genial and cordial members of this bar. He was one among the pioneers of the profession in this county, and some of us have known him and been intimately associated with him for a quarter of a century; and others for a greater or less period and the foregoing statement of the estimation is sincere and heartfelt. Mr. Sisson has been a resident of the county and a member of the bar for about thirty years, during which time he was engaged in professional work and appeared in many of the most important cases, civil and criminal, that came on for trial during that period. His ability was self-evident; his professional honor unsullied; his uniform good nature, genial wit and kindly humor shortened the hours and lightened the labor of the bench, bar and jury. In the death of Mr. Sisson, we recognize that the county has lost one of its most upright, kindly and honorable citizens. In business affairs of the county in which he resided, and in which he took an active and prominent part for many years, his record for honesty and integrity were unquestioned. Mr. Sisson during the time of his long residence in this county was not exempt from the variations and vicissitudes of fortune. He participated in both the presperity[sic] and adversity of his fellow citizens. He has his seasons of sunshine and shadow; but it would be well with us and each of us, if, at the final close of our earthly career, we could leave behind us so long a list of friends and acquaintances who sincerely honor our memory and deeply deplore our loss. Those who were near him knew of his affectionate devotion to his family and his great concern for their health and welfare. But we will intrude no further upon the sacred relations of that home than to say, they were beautiful and inspiring. We extend to the bereaved widow and surviving relatives our sincere sympathy in their great loss and bereavement."