Samuel B. Avis

Avis was born in Harrisonburg, Virginia where he attended the public schools and Staunton Military Academy.

Avis was commissioned senior captain of Company A, Second West Virginia Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish–American War in 1898.

After the war, he served as prosecuting attorney of Kanawha County, West Virginia from January 1, 1900, to December 31, 1912.

Later, he was an assistant United States attorney for the southern district of West Virginia from August 22 to November 15, 1904.

He was killed by lightning in Charleston, West Virginia June 8, 1924, and was interred there in Spring Hill Cemetery.