LACKEY, Thomas (1855-1930)

LACKEY

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 3/30/2020 at 13:27:56

Thomas Lackey
(born abt. 1855 – March 15, 1930)

Ida County Pioneer Record, Ida Grove, IA, Thursday, Mar 20, 1930, p.1, col.3
Thomas Lackey Removed by Death
Thomas Lackey, a picturesque figure in Ida Grove for many years, died Saturday night, March 15, from the effects of a stroke of apoplexy sustained Thursday evening. John Aiken was the last person to visit him Thursday before the attack came and Mr. Lackey stated at the time that he was not feeling well. He was taken to the A. H. Sheldon home on Washington St., where he was taken care of until his death.
The funeral was held Wednesday at the Moore mortuary parlors, the services being in charge of Rev. George W. Dunn. Many of the neighbors and friends of the north part of town, who esteemed Mr. Lackey, contributed a large number of flowers for his funeral. So far as is known, he had no relatives alive.
Mr. Lackey was between 75 and 80 years old. He came to Ida Grove about fifty years ago, but nothing is known about his family and many persons believe that he had been raised in an orphanage. Mr. Lackey was a graduate of Yale and thoroughly prepared for a professorship in higher mathematics. After finishing his college course Mr. Lackey’s eyesight failed, so he was unable to carry out his work. Filled with disgust and disappointment, he came to Ida Grove, where he had lived since, following the work of ditch digging, choosing this kind of work because he loved the smell of freshly turned earth.
Handicapped as he was by his affliction, Tom continued to be a great reader, especially along scientific lines. He was a wizard at figures and helped many students with problems. He lived very much as a recluse, and no trace of any relatives can be found. He was thrifty and industrious and after his death a large sum of money was found in the bank, more than sufficient to defray his burial expenses.