Biographies: Samuel R. Newsom, 1926, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: September 3, 1926 Winnfield News-American

Man of Affairs in Winn Parish

S. R. Newsom, for 50 Years Prominent In Winn Parish History

Representing that type of man of the old school who planned and worked for the
progress of his community, casting an influence for the advancement of his
fellow man, with a vision for greater and better things for posterity and that
influence having its telling effects far beyond the geographical limits of his
immediate neighborhood, such a man is S. R. Newsom, later known as "Uncle Sam"
of Hickory Valley.  Well known and loved by the people of Winn Parish is this
good old school master.

Samuel R. Newsom, the son of William and Mildred Newsom, was born in Winn
Parish near the site of his own home in the eastern part of the parish seventy
seven years ago.  In this community he was reared, living on the farm learning
life's lesson as only the farm can teach it, breathing the pure air of the
country, acquainting himself with the problems of such a life from the very
beginning and finally joining forces with that vast body of men, the farmers,
who work to feed, clothe, and even shelter this nation of ours.

His education was gained by attending the schools of Winn Parish such as were
in the 60s and 70s.  Limited as they were both as to instruction and physical
equipment he made a creditable record and by additional training thru his own
efforts at study he reached that peak in education that enabled him to heed
the call of the school room, and from 1876 to 1904 Mr. Newsom was a teacher in
the schools of Winn and Caldwell Parishes.  It was here, in the school room
that by precept and example, he taught the youth of this section making his
life count in the onward march of progress.  During all this time he was
attending to duties of the farm made possible by the fact that schools were
for a short term and the vacation months could be made profitable.

Though a youth in his teens at the close of the Civil War he was numbered
among the men who fearlessly labored to uphold the honor of the old South and
her convictions, for the restoration and establishment of a status for the
thousands of liberated slaves and saved the government from the shackles of
the Carpet Baggers of reconstruction days.  Few are the men who are living now
who took part in the affairs of the Parish during such trying times.

Since 1904 Mr. Newsom has been engaged in farming and stock raising, in which
he has attained unqualified success, attributing his success to his love for
the farm and the application of patient industry.

He is a most loyal and consistent member of the Baptist Church of his home
community and has been a deacon in it for more than thirty two years.  For a
number of years he was a member of the Shady Grove Association.

IN 1877, Mr. Newsom and Miss Mary Wallace, sister of the late J. T. Wallace,
prominent in Winn Parish history, were married.  To them were born ten
children, seven of whom are living, Walter, C. M., Hugh A., J. Roy, Louis T.,
and S. R., Jr.  The deceased children are Dr. James M., Martha A., and Lola
Bell.  All ten children were married.

At the urgent solicitation of his friends, Mr. Newsom accepted the nomination
for Justice of the Peace of Ward 3 in 1901 and for twelve years served in this
capacity.  In 1912 he was elected Police Jury member from this ward, which
office he held until 1916 when he again became Justice of the Peace and he is
now serving as ward judge with credit to himself and complete satisfaction to
his constituents.

Though seven years past his seventieth birthday he is keen and alert to the
affairs of the day.  Learning in early youth that progress means change he
keeps pace with the times and sees conditions as they are and expresses
satisfaction with these conditions and the hope that further and greater
advancement may be made.  Thus imbued with this spirit of progress, Mr. Newsom
has at all times aligned himself with the side he believed right, in all
issues arising, and having the courage of his convictions in such instances
has made him a leader in his community and parish both in religious and civil
affairs.  For years both young and old have come to him for advice and counsel
and not one is turned away.  His life as a Christian and a citizen has
endeared him to the host of people who know him, and truly his is a life well
lived and worthy of emulation.  Living in the 60s and 70s when the south
seemed doomed and the institution of self government for the south almost in
ruins, he, together with his buddies who came thru that period of
reconstruction, made the South safe for today's progress, a better place in
which to live and by their loyalty to the principles of right and fair
dealings bound it closer to the union of states, thus uniting north and south
into one nation, one people for the propagation of those American principles
of liberty, life, and the pursuit of happiness.