A PIONEER PASSES AWAY

DR. S. F. FEW, ONE OF LEAVENWORTH’S INCORPORATORS, DEAD

The End Comes at Break of Day at the Dodsworth Home Where He Lived — Born in Virginia in 1821 He Settled in Leavenworth in 1854 — His Work. 

            Dr. Samuel F. Few, one of the original incorporators of the city of Leavenworth in the year 1854, and who had resided here continuously ever since and seen a small settlement among picturesque hills and surrounded by what was at that time called “the garden spot of Kansas territory,” grow into a prosperous city, passed away at 5:30 o’clock this morning at the home of Mrs. Samuel Dodsworth, his daughter, at the corner of Osage and Second streets. Those at his bedside when the end came were Mrs. Dodsworth, Mrs. John Coulter, Mrs. George Few, and Mrs. Benjamin Morgan, four of the dead man’s daughters, Mr. Samuel Dodsworth and Dr. J. A. Lane. 

            Dr. Few’s condition had been feeble for the past year, though he did not take his bed until about two months ago. Since that time he had gradually grown weaker and those nearest to him felt that the end was not far off. A week ago his condition grew suddenly worse and death was expected daily. The patient rallied slightly two days ago, then sank again yesterday. He did not lose consciousness until almost the last hour and seemed to recognize the members of his family about his bedside. The end was peaceful and almost without a tremor. Death was due to a general deterioration of the whole system, superinduced by a partial paralysis. 

            When a STANDARD reporter called at the Dodsworth home this morning the funeral arrangements had not been made. Mrs. Hessenmuller of Cleveland, O., the only absent surviving child, was telegraphed the sad news this forenoon and until it is known when she will arrive the funeral arrangements cannot be announced. It is thought, however, it will be held from the Dodsworth home next Monday afternoon. 

            In the year 1821, May 26, at Woodstock, Va., Dr. Samuel F. Few first saw the light of day. He grew to manhood on Virginia soil, graduated with honors from a well known medical college and at once entered upon the practice of medicine, in which profession he was very successful and rose to some distinction. 

            Coming west with the great tide of emigration in the fifties, Dr. Few cast his lot on the territory now occupied by the prosperous city Leavenworth. For a time he abandoned the medicine chest and the scalpel and engaged in real estate speculations. In this he was successful and his zeal did much toward strengthening and building up the then small village of Leavenworth. He was one of the original incorporators of Leavenworth city and one of the first claims was taken up by him in the vicinity of the Len Smith residence on North Broadway. This was about the year 1854[.] In later years when the snows of many hard winders had crowned his head, Dr. Few reflected with evident satisfaction on the early struggles of Leavenworth in which he took a prominent part. 

            In the early sixties, during the war, Dr. Few resumed the practice of his profession and for a number of years was assistant surgeon at Fort Leavenworth, then the most noted military post in the west. He was also surgeon in charge of the general hospital at that time located in Leavenworth, and kept up his practice with diligence until his fatal illness. Dr. Few never sought for political preferment and never held what might be termed a political office. He was a member of one of the early boards of county commissioners, served several terms on the board of education and was appointed city physician by Mayor Fortescue, which position he held at the time of his death. 

            A widow and five daughters, Mrs. Samuel Dodsworth and Mrs. George Few of this city, Mrs. John Coulter of Chicago, Mrs. Hessenmuller of Cleveland, O., and Mrs. Benjamin Morgan of Oklahoma, survive him. Dr. Few had made his home the past few years with Mrs. Dodsworth.