An Arkansas woman is the oldest living descendant of Sam Wilson, the real-life inspiration for the iconic Uncle Sam.

Uncle Sam, long a symbol of the U.S. government, was inspired by a real person — Sam Wilson, a meatpacker from Troy, New York, born in 1766.

UNCLE SAM'S NEW ISLANDS.; Some Facts About the Territory Over Which the Flag Is to Fly. Share full article. July 10, 1898. Credit... The New York Times Archives.