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SHERIFFS OF MONTCALM COUNTY
1850 to 2006


ELTON J. SAMPSON
Sheriff from 1951-1968


   


Elton J. Sampson was born August 4, 1914 in Fairplains Township, Montcalm County to Leon and Elsie Kilpatrick Sampson, the fourth of five boys. His brothers were Vincent, Orval, Glenn (who died in the Pacific during WWII) and Darwin. He attended Sheridan High School where he played center for the football team and graduated in 1933 second in his class. After graduation he worked for a time at gas stations in Sheridan and Greenville. In 1939 he joined the sheriff's department serving as a deputy. On March 21, 1940 in Montcalm County he married the former Freda Hansen, daughter of Christian and Anna Cook Hansen. Elton and Freda were the parents of two children, Karen (Mrs. James Hudson) and James. Elton enlisted February 18, 1943 as a private in the Army and served as a Military Policeman during the war. He was part of General George Patton's entourage, serving at times as driver for General Patton. Elton toured many of the prison camps in Germany after they were vacated. He was elected sheriff of Montcalm County in November of 1950 and served until 1968. Elton was a quiet man but was referred to as a "thinking man's sheriff". He was an eloquent writer. And he had a passion for NASCAR, seldom missing a race.

Elton was a member of the National Sheriffs' Association, Michigan Sheriff's Association, Stanton Masonic Lodge, First Congregational Church of Stanton, Greenville VFW Post and Greenville American Legion. He died February 5, 1981 at his home in Stanton at the age of 66 and was buried in Vinewood Cemetery, Edmore.

(Sources: Obituary - Greenville Daily News, 1981; interview with James Sampson; Montcalm County marriage records; US World War II Army Enlistment Records)



SHERIFFS OF MONTCALM COUNTY
compiled by Stanton area resident Judy Hardy

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