Perry Lamborn

LAMBORN, CALHOUN, CAHALAN, MIX, POWERS, LA VERE

Posted By: Rich Lowe (email)
Date: 3/11/2003 at 23:23:41

PERRY LAMBORN.

Perry Lamborn, who has reached the eightieth milestone on life's journey, has for more than half a century been actively identified with the agricultural interests of Jackson county. He is now living practically retired, although he maintains a careful supervision over his business affairs and retains possession of two hundred and sixty acres on section 27, Washington township. A native of Pennsylvania, he was born on the Allegheny river in Venango county, March 12, 1830. His father, Josiah Lamborn, was born in Lancaster county, that state, and when a young man removed to Venango county, where he followed the miller's trade until the spring of 1853, when with his son Perry he came west to Iowa. Perry Lamborn remained in this state but the father went back to the east to get his family, who came here in the fall of 1854. They settled in Washington township, Jackson county, the father renting land for a few years, and he remained a resident of this section of Iowa until his death, which occurred when he was about seventy years of age. His wife, who, was Rachel La Vere in her maidenhood, was born in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburg, and came to this state with her family in 1854, being a resident of Washington township until her death.

Perry Lamborn received a fair education in the public schools of Venango county, Pennsylvania, and later learned the trade of a miller, which he followed until five years before he came to Iowa, during that period, as his father had left the mill, being variously employed at farming, foundry work and other occupations. He was twenty-three years of age when, in 1853, he came to this state. He and his brother John bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 27, Washington township, Jackson county, which they farmed in partnership until the outbreak of the Civil war, when John and his brother Daniel joined the Union forces. The former died from exposure, and Perry Lamborn continued to operate the farm alone. He added to the original quarter section from time to time but also sold some of the land, and now his landholdings embrace two hundred and sixty acres on section 27, Washington township. With the assistance of his sons he put up all the buildings upon the place and about 1900 erected a large new house. Considerable grain is grown in the fields, but Mr. Lamborn has made a specialty of stock, raising yearly about forty head of Galloway cattle, from two hundred and fifty to three hundred Duroc hogs, and a few colts. Despite the fact that he has reached his eightieth year he is still quite active and exercises supervision over all his interests. They have brought him a notable success in the past so that now he does not have to give thought for the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.

In the spring of 1857, at Alex Reed in Washington township, Mr. Lamborn wedded Miss Winnie Calhoun [Cahalan?], who was born in Galena, Illinois, a daughter of John Calhoun, a native of Scotland. Eight children were born to them, six of whom are now living. Dora A., is the widow of Charles Mix, late of Cedar Falls, Iowa; William H. operates the home farm and also, in partnership with his three brothers, cultivates three hundred and fifty-nine acres of land; Samuel H., who is married, lives upon the latter farm; Katherine is the wife of Dr. Powers, of Emmetsburg, Iowa; Charles E. is one of the partnership of brothers and lives at home; and Robert P., the other partner, lives with Samuel. The sons are actively interested in farming and are well known among the substantial agriculturists of Washington township. They built a fine barn, finished throughout in cement, on the second farm, and last year put up a barn and a forty foot windmill upon the home place. William H. has figured conspicuously in local affairs for the past six years as township assessor and in this connection has made a creditable record for himself.

On the 8th of October, 1903, Mr. Lamborn was called upon to mourn the death of his wife, who was sixty-five years of age and for forty-six years had been his faithful companion and helpmate, well beloved by those who knew her. Mr. Lamborn has always been a stanch democrat, and when he was able was very active in advancing the interests of the party. Nor did he shun office when it was the wish of the people that he should serve them, but for many years acted as school director, for twelve years as school trustee and also served as road supervisor. He was helpfully concerned in all movements calculated to promote the public wellbeing and holds stock in the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company of Washington township. There has been no unworthy chapter in the long life of Mr. Lamborn; it has ever been upright; and his actions have been honorable and sincere. He has always held friendship inviolable, has been true to social and home ties and in citizenship has been loyal and public spirited. Surely he is entitled to the respect and veneration which the world instinctively pays to the man who has traveled thus far along life's highway.

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Source: History of Jackson County Iowa V.2 - J. W. Ellis

Perry Lamborn was my wife's great grandfather. We would like to hear from anyone with connections to this family.