Augustus F. Lackore

LACKORE, CHURCH, MERRILL, EDWARDS

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 9/15/2005 at 21:15:05

One of the earliest pioneers of Winnebago county now living is Augustus F. Lackore, of Forest City, who about 1856 or 1857 was brought to the county. He was born in Illinois on the 31st of January, 1855, a son of William and Elizabeth (Church) Lackore, the former a native of New York and the latter of England, whence she came to the United States in her girlhood with her parents when but seven years of age. Mr. and Mrs. Lackore were married in New York and eight children were born to them there. About 1854 they removed to Illinois and in that state Augustus F. and Jesse Lackore were added to the family. In 1856 or 1857 a removal was made to Winnebago county, Iowa, where the father had previously purchased seven hundred acres of land. He settled at Forest City, building tile first good frame residence in the town and becoming one of the pioneer settlers of this part of the state. Soon after his arrival he purchased a sawmill which he operated for a number of years, but eventually he sold that property and concentrated his energies upon farming, which he continued to follow until his demise in 1886. His wife survived him for more than a decade, passing away on the 17th of April, 1897.

Augustus F. Lackore was educated in the common schools and early became trained to business methods under his father's direction. After attaining his majority he remained at home and cooperated with his father in the promotion of farming interests. There was a very strong bond of sympathy between the father and son and they continued to live together until the death of the former, an ideal companionship existing. Augustus F. Lackore still owns one hundred and sixty acres of the old homestead, on which he continued to reside until 1911, when he retired and removed to Forest City, where he has since made his home, resting from further business cares save for the supervision of his investments.

On December 25, 1882, Mr. Lackore was united in marriage to Miss Jennie Merrill, of Forest City, Iowa, a daughter of Dudley and Matilda (Edwards) Merrill, pioneers of Iowa. To this union were born nine children, eight of whom still survive, as follows: Roy C., who is principal of schools at Bucyrus, North Dakota; Raymond C., an agriculturist residing at Little Falls, Minnesota; Floyd M., a paper hanger and painter who makes his home at Forest City; Clyde E., who is county road boss and resides in Forest City; Clara F., a high school student Hazel M., at home; and Forest A., and Sylvan H., who attend the graded schools. Mrs. Lackore is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Lackore has membership with the American Yeomen and his political support is given to tile republican party. All who know him esteem him as a man of sterling worth whose life has been one of activity and honor, while his well directed industry has brought to him substantial and gratifying prosperity.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, 1917, Vol. II, page 260.