September 19, 1829 to December 19, 1915
Judge Samuel A. Falconer
Born: Lancaster County of Glengary, Canada
Died: Wilton, N.D.
Parents: James Falconer and Mary Hay Falconer
Sisters: Mrs. Mary McLean (Bismarck)
Married: Josephine Beckman (Her husband was killed in a duel.)
Her children: Lilly and William Beckman "Brother Will"
Josephine and Samuel A. Falconer’s Children:
Howard (Butte, Montana)
Ida "Daisy" (Wilton, N.D.)
Manley (Wilton, N.D.)
Frank (Athabasca, Alberta)
Alexander (Vancouver, B.C.)
Career: Federal Government in Alaska under President Grant and President Hayes
Collector for the Port of Sitka
Seal Fisheries – Federal Government Representative (8 years in Alaska)
Met President Hayes and James G. Blaine in Washington, D.C.
Special Deputy Collector of Customs 12/14/1868
February 8, 1869 Invitation to Ball
Document relating to Seizure of "Sygnet"
February 27, 1869 Protest against seizure
May 24, 1869 Custom House Letter to Samuel Falconer
March 13, 1872 Letter of Appointment from the Secretary
March 15, 1872 Instructions from the Secretary of the
Treasury
in reference to certificate of appointment
Declaration
of made an oath to emigrate to the US April 1882
February 7, 1889 became a citizen of the U.S.
April 7, 1892 Invitation to Wash,D.C.
1882 North Dakota – ranched along the Missouri. (8 miles from Wilton, N.D.)
Was a Judge and Justice of the Peace
1905-1915 Lived with Ida Falconer Swanson and Albert Swanson
Memories: Well loved, endeared himself to the entire community.
Kind disposition, Christian Character
Remarkable mental and physical activity
Wilton, North Dakota Jean and Samuel Samuel and Josephine
Sam,Howard,Frank
Kathryn, Jean
Samuel A. Falconer deeds his homestead
to his daughter Daisy Falconer Swanson
February 24, 1915
December 15, 1915 Letter to Daisy Swanson in Wilton from her father.
Wilton Newspaper Article
December 24, 1915
Judge Samuel A. Falconer, one of Wilton's oldest and most respected citizens, died suddenly in the vestibule of the Presbyterian Church of Bismarck Sunday morning, December 19, evidently of heart failure. His death was a great shock to the people of Wilton, for though in his 86th year, he was a man of remarkable mental and physical activity. Born in Canada in 1830, he serve the federal government in several capacities in Alaska before coming to North Dakota in 1882. He ranched along the Missouri eight miles from Wilton. He leaves five children, including Mrs. Albert Swanson of Bismarck and Manly of Wilton. Services were held in the local Presbyterian Church, with burial in Riverview Cemetery.
The Wilton News December 24, 1915
Judge Samuel A. Falconer one of Wilton's most respected citizens died suddenly in the vestibule of the Presbyterian Church of Bismarck Sunday morning, December 19. He had started up the steps of the church and was about to enter for the morning service, when he was stricken, evidently with heart failure. He passed away before a physician arrived.
Mr. Falconer had been in Bismarck attending the funeral of his brother-in-law, Robert Macnider of Salem, Oregon, whose body was brought to Bismarck for internment. While in Bismarck he was the guest of his sister, Mrs. Mary McLean, and was in his usual health. He intended to return to Wilton the first of the week after a visit with his relatives and numerous friends in the Capital City.
The death of Mr. Falconer was a great shock to the people of Wilton, as he was known to be in excellent health, and although in his 86th year, was a man of remarkable mental and physical activity. the the past ten years he has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Albert L. Swanson and until recently held the position of Justice of the Peace, being eminently qualified for the position on account of his ....nature.
Mr. Falconer was born in Lancaster, county of Glengary, Canada, September 19, 1830, and was a son of James and Mary Hay Falconer.
During the Grant administration Mr. Falconer was Collector of the Port, at Sitka, "Alaska, and later was the representative of the federal government in looking after the seal fisheries in the various islands adjacent to Alaska. For eight years he served the government in that territory. An investigation of alleged irregularities in the seal fisheries during the administration of President Hays, required the presence of Mr. Falconer in Washington City as an expert witness, and while in the Capitol City he met many prominent men, including President Hayes and James G. Blaine.
In 1882 Mr. Falconer settled in North Dakota engaging in the ranching and stock raising business, along the Missouri river, eight miles from Wilton.
At the time of his death Mr. Falconer was an elder in the local Presbyterian church and one of the most loyal supporters of religion in this territory. He frequently attended the sessions of the Bismarck presbytery and was one of the stalwart advocates of righteousness in North Dakota.
He was a general favorite with young and old alike and his kindly disposition and christian character endeared him to the entire community. He rarely missed a church service when at home and his life was an example which will long be remembered by the people of this community.
He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Albert L. Swanson, and four sons.
Alexander, of Vancourver, B.C.;
Frank of Athabasca Landing, Canada;
Manly of Wilton and Howard of Butte, Montana. The following brothers and sisters also survive, Mrs. Mary McLean, Bismarck; Mrs. Jean Cameron, Vancouver, B.C.; Mrs. Rober Macnider, Salem, Oregon; Daniel and Norman of Bismarck and Henry of California.
The remains of Judge Falconer were brought to Wilton Wednesday morning and the funeral services were held the same afternoon from the Presbyterian church with Rev. Alexander Douglas spoke most fittingly of the faithfulness of the deceased and was followed by Rev. R.H. Myers, who spoke as a representative of Bismarck presbytery. G.W. Stewart also made a few remarks. Internment was in Riverview cemetery west of Wilton.