Obituary: James A. Pankey: Sam's Valley, Jackson Co., Oregon ********************************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE: ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ********************************************************************************* Transcribed and formatted for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Elizabeth Oct 2002 ************************************************************************ PANKEY, James A., Medford (Oregon) Mail , Friday, 14 Apr 1905, p. 8 -- James A. Pankey was born June 22, 1822, in Hickman county, Tenn. Died March 21, 1905, at his home in Sam's Valley. Mrs. James A. Pankey was born in Gallatin county, Illinois, April, 1823, and died January 20, 1905, preceding him to the grave by only two months. James A. Pankey removed with his parents in 1848 to Morgan county, Ill., and there he passed his youthful days. On March 31, 1842, he was married to Miss Fannie Strickland and had they both lived until March 31st they would have passed sixty-three years of life together. In 1853 they removed to Oregon, settling in Polk county, where they lived six years. In June, 1859, they came to Jackson county and settled on land in Sam's Valley, where they have since continuously resided. The journey to Oregon was made with ox teams and took six months and they suffered many hardships en route. The land in Sam's Valley was a wilderness when they came to it, and with untiring industry they have labored, until now it is one of the finest farms in Jackson county. Their remains were laid to rest in the cemetery which they had presented to the community of Sam's Valley. James A. Pankey was well known throughout the county as a man of untiring industry, law abiding and a kind neighbor, his religious belief being to do unto others as you would be done by. His patriotism was shown by active service in helping quell the Indians in the Modoc war of 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Pankey were the parents of ten children, five of whom survive them, viz: Mrs. Louisa Smith, of Central Point; Thomas Pankey, of Sam's Valley; Mrs. Mary A. Fredenburg, of the Meadows; Louis Pankey, of Bly, Klamath county, and Miss Emily Pankey, at home. Mr. and Mrs. Pankey were both taken sick in February, 1902, since which time they have been invalids. In September, 1904, Mrs. Pankey fell in the yard, fracturing her hip and after four months and eight days of greatest suffering she passed away January 20th. Mr. Pankey's condition was one of steadily increasing debility, he having been bedfast for a long time previous to his death on March 21st. And so have passed from us two of our oldest pioneers. Their home was noted for hospitality. Their latch string was always out, not only to their friends, but to all. Here in Sam's Valley where they have lived so long, they will be greatly missed. The attendance at the funeral was large. Rev. A. P. Gillett, of Gold Hill, officiated at both. At Mr. Pankey's funeral so many flowers were brought that they were placed evenly on both graves, leaving each a mass of fragrant flowers, a fitting tribute to the memory of these highly respected pioneers.