He was appointed Chief Engineer of the Toledo and Ann Arbor, on location and construction from Hammond Junction to Durand; Chief Engineer of location and construction of the Missouri Pacific lines in Kansas, Colorado, and Missouri; and from 1887 to 1889, he served as Chief Engineer on the construction of the Louisville, Henderson, and St. Louis Railway, from West Point to Henderson, Ky.
Mr. Sample made examinations and reports on timber and mineral lands in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, and in 1889, he examined and reported on the Mexican National Railroad, from Laredo, Tex., to the City of Mexico.
From 1889 to 1896, he was Chief Engineer of location and construction and General Superintendent of operation of the Pittsburg, Akron, and Western Railroad, from Delphos to Akron, Ohio. In 1897 he was appointed General Superintendent of the Cleveland, Akron, and Columbus Railroad, which position he held until this road was purchased by the Pennsylvania Company, in September, 1899. From that date to the time of his death, Mr. Sample was in the employ of the Pennsylvania Company, as Assistant Engineer, being engaged on line and grade revision and special work.
His father being a lawyer and Judge, he partook of his judicial nature, and all his lifework was based on the broad foundation of equity and honesty of purpose. He was a man of unobtrusive manner, retiring disposition, and unpretentious ways.
On June 7th, 1876, Mr. Sample was married to Miss Virginia Hughes. His wife died on June 24th, 1889.
Mr. Sample died suddenly in the Fort Pitt Hotel, at Pittsburg, Pa., on March 4th, 1910. He intended to leave for New York City during the day to bid farewell to his son, who was Assistant Engineer on the Madeira and Mamoré Railway, in Brazil, and had been spending his vacation of three months with his father.
To his children, and to those who knew him intimately, Mr. Sample leaves a memory of a life well rounded out by noble endeavor, and a fixedness of purpose to know and do the right. He was conscientious in every act and thought, a man of deep religious conviction, and though called suddenly from his earthly labors, he was ready for the higher service and duty.
Mr. Sample was elected a Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers on October 6th, 1886.