Samsville, Illinois facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samsville, Illinois
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 Samsville, Illinois
Location in Illinois
Samsville, Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Illinois |
| County | Edwards |
| Elevation | 476 ft (145 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Area code(s) | 618 |
| GNIS feature ID | 417919 |
Samsville is a small, unincorporated community located in northern Edwards County, Illinois, in the United States. An "unincorporated community" means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a city or town with its own local government. Samsville is easy to find because it's right on Illinois Route 130.
History of Samsville
Early Settlers and Naming
One of the very first families to make a permanent home in Edwards County was the Sams family. Lot Sams, along with Thomas Carney, John Bell, and Isaac Greathouse, arrived in the area in 1815. Lot Sams decided to settle in a specific area, known as section 25, in 1821.
Before coming to Illinois, Lot Sams had lived in Kentucky and Tennessee. When his family moved to Illinois, they carried all their belongings on pack horses. This was a common way to travel and move possessions a long time ago.
Lot Sams worked hard and was very determined. Because of his efforts, he gathered a lot of property. The small group of about six or seven families living there at the time decided to name their little community "Samsville" in his honor. This shows how important he was to the early development of the area.
Community Growth and Changes
In 1864, a post office was opened in Samsville. This was a big step for the community, making it easier for people to send and receive mail.
Near Samsville, there are also some important historical sites. The old Shiloh Church was built about a quarter of a mile to the east, and it had a cemetery next to it. Two other cemeteries, Samsville Cemetery (sometimes called Potter Cemetery) and Ebenezer Cemetery, are also located close by.
In June 2006, strong winds damaged the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, which was located near the Ebenezer Cemetery. However, the community worked together, and the church was rebuilt in 2007 in the same spot.
In the early 1960s, a man named Curma Hoeszle bought the Samsville store. He also started a business with Glen Taylor called the Southern Illinois Tractor & Machine Salvage Company. This business was located across the road from the Samsville store. Both of these businesses continued to operate until Curma Hoeszle passed away in the 1980s.
