Samuel Haney Conner was born in Marion County, Tennessee in 1832 and died as you can read below, in 1887. His father was James Conner, born in Newberry District South Carolina in the late 1770's and about whom we know very little. We do know that he married Mary Carpenter in Hamilton County, Tennessee in the 1820's and they had several children among whom were Asbury B, Samuel Haney and Wesley. Readers of Roark-Conner Family News may remember a report in June 1993, issue #3, about Asbury B. serving Hamilton County as sheriff in the 1860's. His son, Samuel A. also served as sheriff of Hamilton County and is memtioned in the newpaper account below. Interesting, Asbury B. split with his brothers and became a captain in the Union Army while my grandfather, Samuel Haney served in the Confederated Army.
Samuel Haney continued the family farm in the section of Chattanooga that became Brainerd (where I grew up) until his life suddenly ended as reported in the Chattanooga Times dated May 29th, 1887 (The newspaper article as copied)
'Squire Samuel H. Conner, a member of the county court for the Fifth district, was yesterday instantly killed by a stroke of lighting during the storm that prevailed throughout this section.
The melancholy intelligence was brought to the city last night by Sheriff Conner, who is a nephew of the deceased, and who deeply mourns the sad event.
'Squire S.H. Conner, has been for many years a member of the Hamilton county court, and as such has always been regarded as one of the safest and most conservative members. He was conscientious in the discharge of his public duties and was honored and respected by all of his associates in the court. He made Davy Crockett's saying, "Be sure you're right , then go ahead," his guide and adhered to it as a guiding principle.
For thirty years Squire Conner has been a spirit of help amongst the neighbors having a good knowledge of medicine which was ripened by his experience. Neighbors have been in the habit of sending for him during all that time to administer in cases of mild sickness or in sudden emergencies, and he has always been ready to respond, never charging any fee, but giving his services, especially among the poorer people, free.
Yesterday, just before the terrific rain storm which visited Chattanooga and vicinity, he was called to visit Mrs. Robert Gillespie, who by the way, is his neice and her husband his brother-in-law. Taking his horse he rode at once to the house, but was overtaken by the rain, and by the time he reached the premises the rain was coming down in torrents. He dismounted near the house and led his horse under the protecting shadow of a tree near the house, under which three of Mr. Gillespie's children had huddled to escape the drenching rain. Standing with the reins of his horse in his hand and chatting with the children who were on the opposite side of the tree from him, there came a blinding flash of lighting, followed by a terrific crash of thunder, and 'Squire Conner fell prone on the ground, as did his horse. The tree under which he was standing had been struck with lighting and he and his horse, both standing on its roots jutting out of the ground, had received the full force of the shock. When assistance came to him, which was almost immediately, he was dead, having been instantly killed, and never breathing even after the fall.
'Squire Conner was one of the pioneers of this county. He came here some forty years ago from Marion county, where he was born. He settled on the farm he owned at the time of his death, never leaving it. At the time of his death he was fifty-five years of age. He leaves a wife and six children. His present wife he married about 22 years ago, and they were each devoted to the other. He was an uncle of Sheriff Conner of this city, who was greatly attached to him regarding him as one of the best friends he had.
'Squire Conner was very popular in his neighborhood, and has always been regarded as a generous, liberal-hearted, and as far as his means would admit, public spirited man.
His funeral will occur today from his residence in the Fifth district. The funeral sermon will be preached by Rev. J.J. Manker. The deceased having been from early manhood a member of the Methodist Church. The services will be held at 3 o'clock.
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