Joseph Henry Lanam

LANAM, MORT, SPENCER

Posted By: Sally Price (email)
Date: 8/27/2010 at 22:24:36

LANAM, Joseph Henry

Joseph Henry Lanam, son of Joseph Henry Lanam, was born in Logan County, Ohio, March 1, 1840. His mother died at the time of his birth. She was a daughter of “Uncle” Johnny Spencer, who came to this county the same year, bringing the little motherless babe with him. Mr. Spencer settled about a mile west of Pittsburg, and there, on his grandfather’s farm, the child lived until he was 14 years old, when he went out to make his own way in the world.

For five years he worked for Mr. Geo. Q. Duffield. Later on he returned for a year to the Spencer home, after which he enlisted in Co. H, 10th Iowa Infantry. He served his full term of three years, ten months of time. However, he was a prisoner of war at Tyler, Texas. After his exchange from prison he rejoined his regiment. He participated in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, except in the engagements which took place during his term of prison service, and he was a brave soldier.

After returning from the army, he was married on Sept. 20, 1865 to Eleanor, daughter of Jeremiah and Eliza Jane Mort, neighbor and childhood playmate, who survives him. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom are living: Dillon and Addie (Mrs. Hamilton) of Mt. Sterling; Mrs. Norma Miles of Keosauqua; Chester, Mrs. Laura Leadham and Mrs. Plantz of Fairfield.

Mr. And Mrs. Lanam passed their entire married life in Van Buren County, except one year in Davis County, coming to Keosauqua five years ago. Mr. Lanam’s sickness, from which he died, began four years ago – cancer of the face. He underwent four operations, but no permanent relief came to his suffering until he passed away on April 24, 1912, aged 72 years, 1 month, and 24 days.

Funeral services in charge of Revs. Perkins and Cheney were held at the home on Thursday, April 25, the local G. A. R., of which deceased was a member, attending in a body. Burial was in the Pittsburg Cemetery, the following Sons of Veterans being pall-bearers: Frank Truax, Sam Dewell, H. H. Marriott, J. S. Bell, Fred Frazee and Frank Cocherell.

From "The Keosauqua Republican" for 2 May 1912
Courtesy of Donald W. Aldrich