Samuel L. Moyer 
pages 247-249

PERHAPS the most precious gift within the bounty of that fabled, fairy godmother who watches over each birth is, that quality of personal attraction, magnetism, or what is commonly called just "likableness." Surely never did the good dame endow a babe more lavishly than she did the little son born to Joseph and Missouri Moyer in Cincinnati, on the seventeenth day of August, 1874. Many are the incidents his proud mother could relate to prove the marked individuality of the child, and his native charm of manner, which drew even strangers to him. But the testimony of mothers on matters so close to their hearts would never be considered entirely conclusive evidence. Nevertheless, true it is, that one of the most marked characteristics of Samuel Lyon Moyer was that personal magnetism which made friends for him, even without conscious effort on his part. Those who met him were drawn to him, held him in remembrance, and were rejoiced when next they met him. His was a nature warm and sunshiny, radiating kindness everywhere. He felt his fellowship with those about him, and in his simple, direct way, delighted to share his pastimes and pleasures with others.
Joseph Moyer, the father of Samuel Lyon Moyer, was for many years connected with the post-office of Cincinnati. He was of sturdy German stock, one with that worthy Teuton element which has so characteristically pervaded the city of Cincinnati, and left its indelible mark on the educational, political, and business life of the community. Young Samuel Moyer—"Sam," as he was always familiarly called—had excellent opportunities for education in the schools of the city, and was graduated in due time from Woodward High School. Almost immediately he sought employment, having all of a vigorous youth's ambitions to play his man's part in the busy marts of the world. Young Moyer was soon taken into the employ of the leading hardware jobbing house, the well-known Lukenheimer Company. The youth was no rolling stone. His personality made him a favorite and his natural intelligence and characteristic energy made him efficient in everything he undertook. The Lukenheimer Company proved his first and only employer, for at the time of his death, May 3, 1913, Samuel Moyer was still connected with the same company —albeit in a far different capacity, having become the great firm's first vice president, and known inseparably with it in the hardware trade all over this hemisphere. Less ambitious as well as less energetic youths who watched with ill-concealed desires this rapid promotion—indeed, constant progress of Sam Moyer—may have wondered at "Sam's luck"; but his employers did not call it "luck"—they called it the logical reward or rather result of the services rendered. As the personality of the man knit itself into the fabric of the Lukenheimer business, determining its policies and progress, even the word "reward" was forgotten by his superiors, in the conviction that indeed the great business could only suffer loss without Sam Moyer. After the death of his father, Joseph Moyer, the young man was the mainstay and comfort of his beloved mother and sister Fannie. The later married in due time, becoming the wife of R. D. Stoner, of Cincinnati. But Sam stoutly resisted the onslaughts of romance, and remained the boyish cavalier of his devoted mother, until well past first manhood. Fate overtook him, however, when he met Miss Ella Hewetson, of Newport, Kentucky, and in 1908 these two were happily married. It is proverbial that good sons make the best husbands. Certainly Mr. Mover was peculiarly fitted by temperament for domestic life, and with the ideals of home and family inculcated by his mother, he proved at all times as perfect a husband as he had been the loyal and loving son. The only cloud over these happy years was the increasing weakness of his mother, now four score years of age. With tenderest care the son labored to preserve her fast-waning strength, little dreaming how often in this uncertain life the young oak is stricken while the older trees stand unscathed. Mr. Moyer's first suspicion of his own serious physical condition came in the winter before his death. He immediately planned a trip to Georgia, in the hope that the mild climate would repair his shattered health.
The spring of 1913 will long be remembered for the disastrous floods which let loose their waters over the State. Production and shipping were crippled throughout several States. It is hard for a big business to spare its most useful members in time of stress, and regretfully Mr. Mover was recalled from southern skies to face the gray gloom of April in Ohio. Always unsparing of his own energies, Mr. Moyer put his best strength into the work in spite of his physician's precautions. The last Monday in that fateful April, he started as usual for his busy office, but almost collapsed and was hurriedly remanded to bed by Dr. Harry Hines, the family physician. The stomach affection, which had been giving such serious trouble for several months, was diagnosed now as acute gastritis, and with small hope, but determined courage, his physician began the battle with on-coming death. It was characteristic of the indomitable energy and masterful will of the man that he did not give up the struggle, but heroically battled for life despite the heavy odds. His agony was indescribable through the days and nights succeeding the collapse early Monday. By Friday, merciful unconsciousness came to nature's relief, but marked the spirit's surrender. Strychnine had been resorted to, but was given up on the evening of Friday. The still hours of early morning brought the first flicker of encouragement to the anguished watchers, and fora time it seemed almost possible that the end might be for some time yet postponed. However, as the leaden hours crept by to noon, the heroic patient again subsided and fell at last into that gentle sleep which marks the peace of the soul's release. The shock of Samuel Moyer's death was almost as keen to the city as to the bereaved family and intimate friends. His business and personal acquaintance was unusually large, as he Was a member of the Queen City Club, the Cuvier Press Club, and the Business Men's Club of Cincinnati. He was a Mason of high standing, and also belonged to the Order of Elks. Mr. Moyer was nationally known to many, through his active membership in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the National Metal Trades Association, the latter also extending his acquaintance in Canada.
The Republican party of the city felt his loss with special keenness, for it had looked with confidence on a political future for Samuel L. Moyer. As a Councilman-at-Large, he had not only won the respect of the voters of the city, but the people had come to look upon him as their instrument in party power. His friendships were many, and of the staunchest. The party looked on him as the next mayorality candidate, and it was felt he would bring his party a certain victory in the fall election. While making no positive assurance of his availability for the office, it was understood that Mr. Moyer would consent to make such a race for his party, provided his health should justify that course of action. But, alas! man proposes and God disposes. The career of Samuel L. Moyer was peremptorily settled by a Higher Power than public party.
Not yet rounding thirty-nine years, it is sad indeed to muse on the sudden termination of what promised so much in the way of brilliant future. In that brief space of years, Mr. Moyer had, by industry and personality, attracted to himself a considerable share of financial success. Feeling the uncertainty of his own health, he had, on February 7 of the same year, insisted on making his last will and testament. Even before this he had adopted the policy of placing large blocks of stocks and bonds and other investments in the name of his beloved wife. His will provided for the disposition of a considerable fortune, and included the son's loving provision for his aged mother's welfare.
Samuel L. Moyer was the personification of indomitable youth and buoyant magnetism. Those who could but ill spare him will never cease to feel his departure from among them. Yet after all, there is a seemliness in the course of fate which lifted him from the scenes of this earth while still in the prime of manhood. Those who knew Samuel L. Moyer knew him as always lovable and boyish, and would find it hard indeed to conceive of his growing old.
True child of the Queen City, his thirty-nine years had every one been closely associated with the city of Cincinnati. Here was he born, here reared, here made his manhood's exertions count in the building of a great business. Here he died in his prime, and here was he buried in beautiful Spring Grove Cemetery. In the glory of his best manhood he heard the summons and went, "sustained and soothed by an unfaltering trust—like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to pleasant dreams."

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