My Genealogy Hound

LAKIN, ALEXANDER, one of the first settlers within the borders of Greene County, was born in Brown County, Ohio. October 22, 1812. During the Autumn of 1825 his parents, Thomas and Margaret Lakin, came to Illinois, first locating near Springfield, Sangamon County; two years later the family moved to Greene County, near Carrollton, a small place of a few cabins, graced by one store, where good whiskey, dry goods and provisions were kept. On the broad western prairies, unbroken except in rare instances, Thomas Lakin started in life as a pioneer, building a log cabin and living for many a year the rough life of a frontiersman; he died in 1841; Mrs. Lakin died in 1854. Alexander grew to manhood in Greene County, receiving a pioneer boy’s education, sitting on rough slab seats, greased paper being in use in lieu of window panes. In 1834 Mr. Lakin was married to Miss Marie Lakin, a daughter of William Lakin. There were born of this marriage seven children, five of whom are living: Margaret A., who married James M. Orton; Elizabeth J., who married Robert Walker; Amanda, who married Lewis McClure; William T., who married Addie Roe, and Charles, who married Miss Minnie Baumann. Benjamin, who married Miss Sarah Ballard, of Greene County, died February 14, 1874. Sarah E. died in early infancy. For the past nine years Mr. Lakin has lived in White Hall; at present engaged in the flour and feed trade. When in need of anything in his line don’t fail to give Uncle Alex a call.