OBIT: Samuel B. PHILSON, 1946, Meyersdale, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
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SAMUEL B. PHILSON

Samuel B. Philson Dies in Hospital Nine Days After 90th Birthday

  Just nine days after rounding out his 90th year, Samuel B. Philson, dean of 
the banking business in Somerset County and the entire state of Pennsylvania, 
passed peacefully away at 5 o'clock last Wednesday morning in Hazel McGilvery 
Hospital, to which he was admitted for rest and medical treatment on October 23.
  Owing to his extreme old age and weak condition his death was anticipated by 
his family and friends, after he took to his bed and seemed to have lost 
interest in further living.
  Mr. Philson was president of both the Citizens National Bank of Meyersdale, 
and of the Philson National Bank of Berlin, both of which were started by his 
father, Samuel Philson, soon after the close of the Civil War.
  Samuel B. Philson came to Meyersdale in 1881 to become cashier of the bank of 
Philson, Black & Co., which eventually was chartered as the Citizens National 
Bank of Meyersdale, with S. B. Philson as its president, following the 
retirement and death of his father.
  Mr. Philson was active in the banking business for 64 years, and was a charter 
member of the Pennsylvania Bankers Association which he helped to organize.
  Always civic minded, he was identified with every forward movement in 
Meyersdale.  For many years he served as a member of the Borough Council.
  He was one of the organizers of the Sand Spring Water Company, and was the 
only secretary of that corporation for well over 50 years of its existence.
  Also many years of untiring service were given by him to the management and 
development of the Union Cemetery Association, as its secretary and treasurer.
  He was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church and served on the Church 
Council the greater part of his life.
  Outside of banking, his chief interest was given to the management and 
operation of his farm in Brothersvalley Township, near Pine Hill, which he owned 
for half a century, turning over ownership and management to his son only about 
five years ago.
  He belonged to most Masonic bodies, Meyersdale Lodge, F. & A. M., Hebron 
Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, Tancred Commandery of Knights Templar, and Syria 
Shrine.
  He was an honorary member of the Meyersdale Rotary Club from its inception 
until his death.  Philsons have lived in or near Berlin since pioneer days, Gen. 
Robert Philson having settled there in 1789.  
  Samuel Philson, son of Robert - 1812 to 1902 - lived a full and active life, 
as did his son, Samuel B. Philson, born October 14, 1856, and who died October 
23, 1946, aged 90 years and 9 days.
  Mr. Philson's wife, the former Addie Gardill, of Berlin, died four years ago.  
Surviving are their only son, Robert H. Philson, one grandson, Samuel R. 
Philson, of Beacon, N.Y., two granddaughters, Margaret, (Mrs. Warren J. Shaver) 
Pittsburgh, and Rebecca, (Mrs. James McClure) Salisbury, and six great-
grandchildren.
  Arrangements for the funeral and burial of Mr. Philson are in charge of W. C. 
Price & Son, who have prepared the body for burial and taken it to the aged 
banker's late home, on Center Street, adjoining the Citizens Bank, where it has 
been lying in state since 11 o'clock Thursday morning, and where friends will be 
received until the hour of the funeral services, which will be conducted by the 
pastor of the decedent, Rev. H. K. Hilner.  Interment will be in Union Cemetery.

Meyersdale Republican, October 25, 1946