James LAMB, M.D., Physician and surgeon, Aurora, office corner of Main and Second Streets, over O.P. Cobb & Co.'s store, was born on Oil Creek, Venango County, Penn., February 15, 1818, and was the eldest son of the thirteen children of David H. and Margaret (KIDD) LAMB. His paternal ancestors emigrated from th e north of Ireland before the Revolutionary war, and Gen. John LAMB was the first collector of the port of New York under Washington. Both his grandmothers were of Scotch-Irish descent. In 1827 his parents moved to Jefferson County, Ind. At the age of fifteen he became a clerk in a dry goods house in the village of Canaan, and after one year's experience was sent with Mr. Goodrich on a coasting trading boat down the Ohio River. Although among other duties, he was obliged to sell intoxicating liquors, he never indulged in their use. After disposing of his goods and boat he entered the employment of two brothers who were extensive operator.
He took charge of their store, and all the money received in their extended business passed through his hands. His employers offered to educate him at the Catholic institution at Beardstown, Ky., but, owing to severe and continued sickness, he was compelled to reject their kind offer and return home. His educational advantages were very limited. After mastering Pike's and Smiley's arithmetics he wished to procure a grammar, and in order to do so, took corn on horseback nine miles to Madison, where he sold it at 20 cents per bushel. Then purchased Kirkham's grammar, and by close application mastered it. At the age of nineteen he began teaching school, which he continued for twelve years, spending his leisure time in study. In 1845 he began the study of medicine, reciting to Dr. John Horne, of Moorefield. He afterward studied with Drs. Eastman and Tevis, both gentlemen of culture and ability. He began the practice in May, 1849, just previous to
the great cholera epidemic of that year, and treated many cases successfully. Feeling a desire for a more thorough medical education, he took a course of lectures at the medical department of the University of Michigan, graduating in 1853. He resumed the practice in the spring of 1856 at Allensville, Switzerland Co., Ind. In 1858 in company with Dr. Butz (since deceased), opened a preparatory college of medicine, supplying it with a very valuable anatomical museum and laboratory, at a cost of $1,600. They had six students at the breaking out of the war, five of whom, including a brother of Dr. LAMB, entered the army, and either were killed on the field, or died of disease or wounds. Dr. LAMB was a warm friend of the Union in the late civil war, and was only prevented from enlisting by the care of his family and aged parents. He had four brothers in the army, two escaped unhurt. In 1862 Dr. LAMB was a delegate to the United States General
Assembly at Cincinnati, and also to Philadelphia in 1870, and was a member of the judiciary committee, composed of the ablest churchmen of America and Europe. He assisted in reorganizing the Dearborn County Medical Society, which now numbers about fifty members. He has contributed many papers to this society, and is always ready to defend the honor and integrity of the profession. In November, 1841, Dr. LAMB married Miss Sarah A. CARNINE, of Switzerland County, Ind. By the marriage four children were born, two of whom survive. The son, Lamartine K, is a graduate of the Ohio Medical College, and has a good practice in Tolona, Ill. The daughter, America C., who completed her musical education under Prof. Andre, of Cincinnati, Ohio, is the wife of Frederick TREON, M.D., who is also a graduate of the Ohio Medical College, and in practice with his father-in-law at Aurora. Dr. LAMB cast his first vote for Gen. Harrison in 1840. Both he and his wife
are members of the Presbyterian Church, he having united with it when twenty-four years old, and she in early youth, and is a member of the Masonic fraternity.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
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Hudson G. LAMKIN, carpenter, Aurora, is a native of Dearborn County, born January 31, 1841, and received a common school education. His parents, Thomas and Eliza A. (GRAVES) LAMKIN, were both born in Dearborn County, the father, May 15, 1817, and the mother May 10, 1817. The father was steam-boat mate for thirty-five years. He was wharf master from 1846 to 1856, and served for one and a half years as corporal in the Eleventh Kentucky Cavalry during the Rebellion, and was discharged on account of disability. His death occurred in March, 1873. The mother died in March, 1884. For several years Hudson G. LAMKIN followed draying, after which he began the carpenter trade. He enlisted July 12, 1861, in Company D, Third Indiana Cavalry as a private, serving three years and two months. In November, 1863, he was promoted to brigade wagon master, and was mustered out as such. He was married December 12, 1864, to Miss Rebecca J. BOWMAN, who was born
in Ohio County, August 26, 1843. By the union eight children have been born, namely: Gladys I.; William T., born May 1, 1867, died in infancy; Hattie; Emma; Grier, born October, 1875, died May, 1876; George; Elias, born May, 1880, died May, 1882, and Susie. Mr. LAMKIN is a member of the K. of P. Lodge No. 34, of which he is past grand representative, also of the G.A.R. Post No. 82, of which he is now adjutant.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
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Amos LANE, born March 1, 1778, was a native of New York, and at the time he left that State for the West, resided at Aurora, not far from New York City. Arriving at Cincinnati, he halted there a few months and in the spring of 1808 he came to Lawrenceburgh, Ind. Mr. LANE being a lawyer by profession sought admission to the bar, but was refused license for the sole reason, as he frequently declared, the he was an ardent friend of Thomas Jefferson. This was in the summer of 1808, and in the fall of the same year he crossed the Ohio River with his family and located on Judge Piatt's farm. Not satisfied with his location, he constructed a huge canoe, and loading his few household goods and family into it, he floated down the Ohio River to Carrollton, Ky., but he was so much dissatisfied, with the first sight he had of the town, that he returned to Boone County, and located directly opposite Lawrenceburgh on the bank of the river at a place then
called Touseytown. Here he remained for two years, turning his hand to anything that would enable him to make bread for his family. In 1811 he located in Burlington and was admitted to the bar of Kentucky. In 1814 he returned to Lawrenceburgh and had then no trouble in being admitted to the bar of Indiana. He soon gained a high place in his profession, especially as a criminal lawyer. He distinguished himself in the case of the State vs. Amasa Fuller, indicted for murder, appearing as counsel for the prosecution. In 1816 he was elected a member of the first Legislature of the State of Indiana and was chosen speaker. He was re-elected in 1817, and was again a member of the Legislature in 1839. At this time he was a leading (s)pirit in southern Indian. In 1833 he was elected to Congress over John Test, an able and popular Whig. He was re-elected in 1835, defeating Judge George H. Dunn. In Congress Mr. LANE was an ardent champion of Gen.
Jackson, and won the title of "The Wheel Horse," so ardently and zealously did he defend the hero of the Hermitage. As a popular orator Amos LANE had but few, if any, equals in the West-- Corwin and Clay only excepted. He was fully six feet high, of erect and commanding stature, and possessed a voice of remarkable force and power, deep and full, over which he had complete control. His language was ready and fluent, and being master of invective in a marked degree, woe unto the man who incurred his displeasure. He had full blue eyes, which were very expressive under all circumstances, but when he was aroused by feelings of emotion they were positively piercing. Frequently he would close his teeth together, and talk through them with a hissing sound that would almost make one's flesh crawl. Instantly changing his manner, his voice would become soft and mellow, coupled with the most touching tones, that would draw tears from many of his hearers. Amos LANE
was abstemious in his habits, so far as the use of alcoholic liquors were concerned. He was never known to be intoxicated, and men who were intimate with him say he did not drink liquor at all. Smoking and chewing tobacco he detested all through his life, as two fine rows of white teeth afforded proof. He was equally abstemious in the use of objectionable language, never indulging in either profanity or vulgarity. As a lawyer, without being the most learned or profound, he achieved a remarkable success. Judge W. S. Holman said of him, "He was a man of strong will; at the forum or on the stump, he neither asked nor gave quarter, but he commanded an eloquence that could raise a hurricane or melt his audience to tears," He died September 2, 1849, aged seventy-one years, and was buried at Lawrenceburgh.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
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Mrs. Mary LANE. In 1804 Amos LANE was married at Ogdensburgh, N.Y., to Mrs. Mary HOWES, a daughter of John FOOTE, a soldier of the Revolution; they moved West in 1808. While living in Kentucky, opposite Lawrenceburgh, and afterward at Burlington, Ky., Mrs. LANE taught a school, which at one time numbered seventy pupils Mrs. LANE was a remarkable woman. Her attainments in education and literature were considerably above those of most women of her time. She wrote well both in prose and poetry; accomplished in her manners, she possessed fine conversational powers.l Her figure was large and her mien always dignified and stately, but the tenderness of her spirit made her genial and kind to every one about her. The mother of six children and never rich, Mrs. Lane devoted her efforts to so raise her family, that they might occupy positions of honor and respectability. Her husband became a distinguished lawyer, a leading politician and a member of Congress; her
eldest son graduated with honor at West Point, and died in the service of his country; another son represented in Congress the district in which he was born, and died a member of the United States Senate, and the remaining and only living son has occupied many honorable and responsible positions of public trust. Her three daughters became the wives of Arthur St. CLAIR, Esq., Judge HUNTINGTON and Hon. George P. BUELL; all of them ladies of fine accomplishments, inheriting from their mother many of her best traits. Mrs. Mary LANE died at the residence of her son-in-law, George P. BUELL, near Lawrenceburgh, December 27, 1854, aged seventy-seven years.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
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John Foote LANE, eldest son of Amos and Mary Lane, was born at Touseytown, Ky., opposite Lawrenceburgh, December 24, 1810. He entered West Point at the age of thirteen years, and graduated with honor when seventeen. Col. J.F. LANE died in Florida, in 1836, at the early age of twenty-six.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
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Col. James H. LANE was born in Lawrenceburgh, in 1814. He was a merchant at Lawrenceburgh, and afterward studied law. He was colonel of the Third Indiana Regiment, in the Mexican War, and afterward of the Fifth Regiment. His gallantry at Buena Vista reflected great credit on his native State. He was lieutenant governor of Indiana from 1849 to 1853. He represented his district in Congress, from 1853-1855. He was elected as a Democrat, and in Congress voted for the Kansas, Neb., bill. He subsequently went to Kansas, and there became noted as a leader of the Free-State party. When he went to Kansas, he had no expectation of leaving the Democratic party: he desired by a conservative course to make Kansas a free State and a Democratic State, but when he got there, he found that no man could occupy a middle ground, much less a conservative position. He was compelled to choose between the pro-slavery cause and the Republican party; he became a Republican more
from necessity than choice, and when once inside of that party he remained. Gen. James H. LANE was as brave a man as ever faced an enemy, as those associated with him will cheerfully testify, and as Stringfellow and Atchison found to their cost. He was elected to the United States Senate from Kansas, and was serving his second term in that body when he ended his life by suicide. While in Mexico, he contracted from (drinking poisoned) water a diarrhea, which became chronic and afflicted him to the grave, and no doubt produced that aberration of mind which was apparent on a number of occasions for several years before his death, and which prevented him from gaining high rank in the civil war. "He was a man of restless ambition, unconquerable energy and imperious will. For his services in repelling 'the border ruffians' of Kansas, and preserving that beautiful country from the curse of slavery, he deserved well of his country, and will occupy a prominent and honorable
position in the history of the great struggle between freedom and bondage." He shot himself in the mouth and died Sunday afternoon, July 1, 1866, near Lawrence, Kas. James H. LANE was married in 1841 to Miss Mary BALDRIDGE, a grand-daughter of Gen Arthur St.CLAIR. Of their children three are living at this time: Lieut. James H. LANE, late of the regular army; Thomas Davis LANE, and Mrs. Annie E. JOHNSON.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
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Geo. W. LANE, second son of Amos and Mary LANE, was born at Burlington, Ky., in a log-cabin on the outskirts of that village November 7, 1812. When he was two years of age, his parents came to Lawrenceburgh, and since that time George W. has had his residence in Dearborn County. He now resides west of Aurora, in an old fashioned, comfortable and substantial brick house, on an elevation commanding a beautiful view of teh valley so South Hogan Creek and distant hills. In early life he engaged in the mercantile business at Lawrenceburgh. While at that place, he erected the large brick business house on High Street, adjoining the Ferris drug store. In 1834 he was one of the first directors of the old Lawrenceburgh & Indianapolis Railroad Company. In December, 1835, he removed to Aurora, and while there devoted his time largely to building up the material and educational interests of that prosperous city. At the time Mr. LANE removed to Aurora, nearly all
the business of that part of the county was transacted at Wilmington. Owing to the expenses and difficulty of crossing the different streams emptying into the Ohio, above and below Aurora, there was little travel by land on the river road through the town. In 1836 he built a bridge across the mouth of Hogan Creek, which opened the way of communication and travel through Aurora to Lawrenceburgh. While in the Legislature Mr. LANE obtained charters authorizing the construction of turnpike roads from Aurora to Dillsboro, to Hart's Mill and to Moore's Hill, the last via Wilmington; these were soon after constructed and were of great convenience to Aurora. While in the Legislature Mr. LANE aided in obtaining the charter for the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, and on the organization of the company for its construction, he was made one of the first directors. In 1850 he became the owner and publisher of the Lawrenceburgh Register. In 1841 he was elected the first
auditor of Dearborn County and held that office for four years. He was elected a representative in the Legislature in 1847, and again in 1856. He was superintendent of the United States Mint at Denver, and also assistant treasurer of the United States, which position he held for eight years. As a public officer it is believed that his fidelity to the interests of the public and his integrity have never been questioned even by his political opponents. Educated in the school of Andrew Jackson, in politics, he is, as was his father, a Democrat, but is not a narrow partisan and has the respect and esteem of men of all parties. In Dearborn County, especially, where he has been so long and so well known, he is highly esteemed, not only as a good man, but also as a man of ability. He has long taken a deep interest in every thing relating to the pioneer times and early history of Dearborn County and southeast Indiana. He collected and preserved the valuable
historical papers of Dr. Ezra Ferris. He has written many interesting and important sketches of local history, some of which have been published in the Aurora, Lawrenceburgh and Cincinnati newspapers, and he has furnished important contributions to this volume. Mr. LANE is now living in the peaceful retirement of his rural home, mare than three-score and ten, yet his interest in current events is unabated. He is a man of medium stature with animated eyes, and in personal appearance is said to strongly resemble his distinguished father. He is the last of his father's family, which once held a high position in the aristocracy of intellect and intelligence in the old county of Dearborn; the rest are all gone, and the old family mansion in Lawrenceburgh, in which the father and mother entertained Gen. Jackson, looks as if it too would soon go to the dust with those who once inhabited it. Geo. W. LANE was married to Miss Sally Maria BUELL, a daughter of
Salmon D. BUELL, of Marietta, Ohio, and sister of Gen. Don Carlos BUELL. Nine children were born to them, two of whom, Mary E. and Buell L., died young; seven are living viz; Amos, Anna, George B., Mary Eliza, Gertrude B. Julia and Jane Alma.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
SUBMITTED BY: Jackie DeCamp
George H. LANKFORD, river trader, Aurora, is a native of Maryland, born in Somerset County, November 29, 1832. His education was very limited. His parents, Littleton and Adaline (TOWNSEND) LANKFORD, were born in Maryland, the father in 1800 and the mother in 1802. They raised a family of six children. The parents were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which the father was an officer for years. He died in 1853, and the mother in 1858. George H., in early life, left the farm and served a four year's apprenticeship at bricklaying, and received as compensation for his services in addition to the knowledge acquired, one pair of boots. He came to Indiana in 1855, and followed his trade, and boarded for fourteen years at the Eagle Hotel in Aurora. September 4, 1865, he was married to Miss Adaline PUSEY, who was born in Maryland, January 15, 1835. Mr. LANKFORD began operating on the river in 1859, and has followed flat boating and steam-boating ever since.
He was in the Government service for three years as pilot, and ran the blockade, at Vicksburg, in perfect safety, without even a scratch. He holds a license as pilot from Cincinnati to New Orleans. For the last few years he has been spending his winters south. Mr. LANKFORD is a worthy member of Aurora Lodge No. 442, F. & A.M., Aurora Chapter No. 13, Aurora Council and Aurora Commandry No. 17, K. T. His estimable wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
SUBMITTED BY: Jackie DeCamp
James E. LARIMER, editor of the Lawrenceburgh Press, the Republican organ of Dearborn County, is a descendant of a large family of that name who were pioneers of Fairfield County, Ohio; his father, James LARIMER, having been born and reared there. The family subsequently moved to Elkhart County, Ind., where James E. was born in 1840. The death of his father broke up his home when he was seven years of age, and thereafter he knocked about with the ordinary experience of a homeless orphan, finally picking up the trade of blacksmith. Though of unbroken Democratic stock he was an abolishonist from the first. When the war began he laid down the hammer and joined the first company Ohio sent into the conflict, Company A, First Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was in the first battle of Bull Run, three days after his time had expired. It was his company that first developed the enemy, and his regiment that caused the retreat and protected the panic-stricken mob from the
Black Horse Cavalry. At the close of the three months' service he spent all his money to enlist men for three years, and when sent home on recruiting service in 1862, he spent all he wages up to that time enlisting men. He re-enlisted as a veteran in 1863, and was mustered out July 20, 1865, having been in many of the engagements participated in by the Fourteenth Corps between "Wildcat" in 1861 and the surrender of Johnston in 1865; and the only personal matter he takes any pride in is the fact that he did faithfully what one man could do in the war for the Union. At the close of the war Mr. LARIMER was united in marriage with Miss Rhoda WARD, daughter of William S. WARD, ex-commissioner, and one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Dearborn County. Laura, their only child, is now ten years of age. In 1866 and again in 1884 he was Republican nominee for representative to the State Legislature, which fact attests to the confidence placed in him by his party.
In 1869 he entered the internal revenue service as a gauger, and served fifteen years, ranking among the most efficient officers in the service. His best friends were among his fellow officers and the men with whom he had to do officially. In 1878 he purchased the Press office, which , with his wife, a valuable assistant, he has since ably and successfully conducted, being thoroughly devoted to his party, always active in its support, and fearless almost to a fault in opposing what he thinks to be wrong. Besides his newspaper work, Mr. LARIMER has also given some attention to the manufacturing interests of Lawrenceburgh. He holds some stock in the Ohio Valley Coffin Company, to the success of which he has contributed his full share. A mind serious and philosophic, firm and conscientious in his convictions, he is well calculated for usefulness as a balance-wheel of public sentiment in the field of labor which he has chosen.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
SUBMITTED BY: Jackie DeCamp
Joseph LARKINS, foreman molder, Ohio & Mississippi shops, Cochran, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, born in Cincinnati April 19, 1850. He obtained a common school education. His parents, Joseph and Elizabeth (McGUIRE) LARKINS, were born in Ireland. They came to America in 1847, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he followed brick-making, building, contracting and farming. The subject of this sketch worked on the farm until 1865, when he learned plumbing and gas fitting, at which he worked for two years; then clerked in a grocery for five years. In 1872 engaged in business for himself; in 1878 sold out and came on the Ohio & Mississippi Road; in 1874 went to I.C. & St. L. Road, worked for three years in molder's department; August 26, 1877, returned to Aurora and worked as freight hand for Ohio & Mississippi Railroad; December 14, 1878 was transferred to molder's department and in 1881 was promoted to foreman, which position he has held ever since. He
was married May 13, 1870, to Miss Nellie DEWS, a native of Aurora, To them have been born two children: Anna and Robert.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
SUBMITTED BY: Jackie DeCamp
William G. LAYCOCK, retired carpenter, Hogan Township, resides in Wilmington. He was born in Clermont County, Ohio, April 3, 1802. His parents, Nathan and Ann (GREGORY) LAYCOCK'S record has been lost, but the father's nativity was Pennsylvania, and the mother's Maryland. They were married and moved to Kentucky in 1796, and in two years thereafter to Ohio, where they raised a family of thirteen children. He was in the war of 1812, under Gen. Harrison, in cavalry department, and furnished his own equipments. The parents were both members of teh methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. William G. LAYCOCK learned the tanner's trade in boyhood. Having left home when only fifteen years of age, he knows almost nothing about his ancestors. He was married February 17, 1822, to Miss Nancy HIGBEE, who was born in 1806. There were born of this union seven children: James, Nathan, William, Eliza, Francis, Charles and Ann. M. The mother died August 25, 1846. He remarried,
October 3, 1847, Mrs Ann (DREPER) TUFTS, who was born in Temple, Franklin Co., Me., July 13, 1810. She came to Indiana in 1836. They have one child, Olive E. Mr. LAYCOCK came to Indiana in 1846, and has resided here ever since. He has framed many a house and barn, and done much hard work in his day. He is a member of Wilmington Lodge No. 158, F. & A. M., and Aurora Chapter No. 13, also Aurora Council. He and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was steward and trustee when the church was built, and he has always taken an active part in religious matters.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
SUBMITTED BY: Jackie DeCamp
Charles LEIBECKE, druggist, Aurora, on Second Street, where can always be found pure drugs, paints, oils, varnishes and glass, surgical instruments and surgeon's supplies, and all standard pharmaceutical preparations, was born in Germany, August 25, 1846, where he received a collegiate education, taking a special course in chemistry and pharmacy. He clerked four years in his native land, and came to America in 1864; landed in New York and enlisted in Company A, Forty-fifth Regiment New York Infantry, and served until the close of the war. In the fall of 1865 he began clerking in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained up to the spring of 1872, at which time he came to Aurora, and opened up his present business. He was married, December 4, 1873, to Miss Christena WELLMAN, who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 10, 1848. To them have been born three children: Harry, Charley, and Mamie. The members of the family are identified with the Catholic Church.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
SUBMITTED BY: Jackie DeCamp
William LEIVE, watch-maker and dealer in jewelry, silverware, books, stationery, wall and window paper, pianos, organs etc., Aurora, was born in the Province of Hanover, January 13, 1838, where he received a common school education. His father, John Leive, was born in Hanover, Germany, July 7, 1817, and his mother, Anna C. G. OBERMUELLER, , was born in the same province in 1816. They came to America in 1860 and located in Cincinnati, Ohio. In Germany, the father of our subject, followed engineering, and in this country farming. The mother died January 13, 1873. Mr. LEIVE came to Aurora in the spring of 1861 and worked for a Mr. MILBURN, with whom he learned his trade. In 1865 he began business for himself, and gradually worked up from nothing to his present truly enviable position in life. He was married, October 24, 1867, to Sophia F. REISING, a native of Ohio. She was born in Cincinnati, January 24, 1847. To the marriage three children have
been born: Charles H., December 6, 1868; Alvina M., August 26, 1872, and William H., August 15, 1874. Mr. LEIVE and family are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
"HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA-1885"
SUBMITTED BY: Jackie DeCamp