Archibald Johnson Sampson (June 21, 1839 – December 24, 1921) was an American diplomat, lawyer and politician. Sampson played an important role in the early legal development of the State of Colorado and served as a U.S. Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Ecuador for over 7 years.
A. J. Sampson | |
|---|---|
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| United States Ambassador to Ecuador | |
| In office December 16, 1897 – July 15, 1905 | |
| Appointed by | William McKinley |
| Preceded by | James D. Tillman |
| Succeeded by | Joseph W. J. Lee |
| 1st Attorney General of Colorado | |
| In office November 3, 1876 – January 14, 1879 | |
| Governor | John Long Routt |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Charles W. Wright |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Archibald Johnson Sampson June 21, 1839 Cadiz, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | December 24, 1921 Denver, Colorado, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
Early life, Education and Military Service
Archibald John "A. J." Sampson was born on April 6, 1817 in Cadiz, Ohio. His parents, who were of Irish-Welch descent, owned a farm near Cadiz. In his youth, A. J. Sampson spend much of his time helping on the farm. His early education was a log school house, but later he attended the New Hagerstown Academy.[1][2] His family became relatively wealthy, which allowed him to pursue a college education.[3] He graduated from Mount Union College on his 22nd birthday in 1861.[4]
Civil War Sampson studied law while he served at the front lines.[5]
After returning from his war service, Sampson passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Ohio Bar.[5] He later attended Cleveland Law School, from which he graduated in 1865.[4]
Pioneer in Missouri
In 1866, Sampson moved to Missouri, where he settled in Sedalia.[4] He opened a law practice there, which was later joined by his younger brother Francis A. Sampson. In addition, he was involved in local politics although he did not run for any elected office. Although he served as the county superintendent of public schools in Pettis County in 1869.[6] In 1872, Sampson declined a nomination for Missouri General Assembly in the Pettis County district.[2]
On March 23, 1873, President Ulysses S. Grant nominated A.J. Sampson of Missouri to be United States Consul to Palestine in Jerusalem. Sampson declined the appointment and Frank S. De Haas was appointed in his place.[7]
Pioneer in Colorado
In 1873, A. J. Sampson moved to Canon City in the Colorado Territory.[1]
Attorney General
After his election as Colorado Attorney General, Sampson moved to Denver, the state's capital.[8]
Pioneer in Arizona
A. J. Sampson returned to the United States in September 1893 after his diplomatic service in Mexico had ended. Instead of moving back to Colorado, he decided to move to Phoenix, which was at the time the capital of the Arizona Territory.[8] He once again practiced law in his new home.[2] Sampson also owned a ranch and invested in mining operations in the Salt River Valley.[5]
Diplomatic service
United States Consul at Paso del Norte, Mexico
A. J. Sampson was nominated to the office of United States Consul in Paso del Norte (now Ciudad Juarez) by President Benjamin Harrison on July 22, 1889, during a recess of the U.S. Senate. His recess appointment was confirmed by the Senate on December 16, 1889.[9] In Mexico, Sampson learned to read and speak Spanish.[5]
In 1897, Sampson's yearly salary as Minister to Ecuador was reportedly $5,000 (equivalent to $183,120 in 2023).
Later Life and Recognition
In the fall of 1921, A. J. Sampson contracted pneumonia on a journey from his summer home near Austinburg, Ohio to Phoenix. Sampson had to interrupt his journey in Chicago for several days until his state improved and he was able to undertake further travel. He arrived in November 1921 in a bad state of health. Shortly after he had arrived, his wife died. After briefly recovering, A. J. Sampson's health declined again and he died in his Phoenix home on December 24, 1921.[5]
A. J. Sampson was recognized as an extraordinary public speaker.[2][5] William McKinley used him as a campaign surrogate during the 1896 Presidential election. Sampson hold campaign events for McKinley across the country. During a visit to Ecuador in 1928, President Herbert Hoover recognized Sampson's service in the country in a public speech.[10]
Personal life
External links
References
- ^ a b A Historical and Biographical Record of the Territory of Arizona. Chicago, IL: McFarland & Poole. 1896. p. 603. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Minister to Ecuador". The Gazette (York, PA). October 29, 1897. Retrieved June 13, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "A.J. Sampson". Colorado Attorney General. Archived from the original on December 13, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- ^ a b c Corbett, Thomas B. (1877). The Legislative Manual, of the State of Colorado.
- ^ a b c d e f "Gen. A. J. Sampson quickly follows wife to grave". Arizona Republic. December 25, 1921. Retrieved June 6, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Report of the Federal Security Agency: Office of Education. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. 1870. p. 209.
- ^ Simon, John Y. (2000). The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant: 1873. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press. pp. 180–181.
- ^ a b "Goes to Phoenix". Colorado Daily Chieftain. September 23, 1893. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ United States Congress (1889). Congressional Record: Proceedings and Debates of the Fifty-First Congress, Volume 21. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. pp. 128, 222.
- ^ "Former Sedalian Envoy to Ecuador". The Sedalia Democrat. December 4, 1928. Retrieved June 15, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
Category:19th-century American lawyers
Category:20th-century American lawyers
Category:19th-century American politicians
Category:Colorado Attorneys General
Category:Colorado Republicans
Category:Colorado lawyers