Lyman came with his parents to Montgomery County, Iowa while a mere babe. He became a member of the M. E. Church at the age of 13. In his fifteenth year he was stricken with a fever, the results of which made him an invalid for life, although he bravely and manfully fought against it. Loving school, he passed through his own district school into V.H.S. until he was a member of the of the Junior Class. At this time his health so completely broke down that a trip to California was resorted to as the last expedient. He started for California June 1, 1890. When he arrived a dear cousin opened heart and home to him. The whole family gave to him the love and care which would be given a son and a brother, never tiring in their love in their loving service to him. He remained in this kind home for fourteen months. Returning home, he attended County Normal school and taught several terms of school. In 1893 he attended the World’s Fair, also the fall term of school at Valparaiso, Indiana. This sapped his strength and again he was compelled to return to California.
He left home the second time on the 14th of February 1894. Again his health improved and for three happy years he was entirely free from those dreadful hemorrhages, which made his life a torture. During this time he attended Chlco State Normal for two years. Having a great desire to attend Stanford University, he and a friend, Luther Parker, went to Sacramento Valley to work through the fruit drying season. This proved to be too malarious a district for Lyman and just as his task was ended, his plans all laid, his shining gold in his hand, he fell violently ill with his old malady hemorrhage of the stomach. This destroyed, not only his prosperity, but his thoughts for school. He landed in the hospital. When he was able to leave the hospital, a friend, James M. Neal took him to his home on the sea coast. He was taken into their midst as one of the family. Their hands administered to his many wants, their love and kindness sustained him through his days of weakness and pain. He rallied but slowly and never regained even his former strength. For the past six months, his strength has steadily failed. He had lately been persuaded that the removal of the spleen might give him a new lease on life. Accordingly, Tuesday, February 21, was set apart for the operation, which proved fatal.
Lyman made many friends among the young people of Chico, whose praise he never tired of sounding.
In all the ears he has been absent from home, he never failed to send his weekly letter to the dear ones at home.
Strictly temperate, several moral and deeply religious his life has been one great struggle for excellence.
Villisca Review, Thursday, March 2, 1899, page 2 (Source: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/151269720/lyman-o.-sampson)

IOWA STATE CENSUS OF 1885

CALIFORNIA VOTER REGISTRATIONS FOR BUTTE COUNTY 1896

CHICO WEEKLY ENTERPRISE Fri 24 Feb 1899 p.3