Person:Sanford Lackey (1)

28 Apr 1887 - Sanford Lackey died Monday, April 25, aged 78 years, 1 month and 25 days. Mr. Lackey was twice married. Mrs. Candace Reiman, of Sedgewick, kansas, and Mrs. Margaret Ayler, daughters of his first wife, survive their father. Mrs. ClementineTate died some years ago. Three daughters and four sons were born to the second marriage. Miss Jennie, Mrs. Alice Mosbaugh, John S. and Charles reside here, while Park R. is in Minneapolis, and Frank A. in Richmond. The second daughter, Ellen, died quite young. His first wife died in 1837, and was the first person buried in Capitol Hill cemetery. His death starts in the minds of old citizens a fund of reminiscences rich in incidents of the early times of this vicinity. Coming here as he did in the years before there was any town west of the river, his energy and enterprise naturally carried him to the forefront of business and all live matters connected with the town. In 1833 he began his business career in East Cambridge in general merchandizing on the corner where now stands the residence of Wm. Clark, which was the first house completed in this city. He was for nine years postmaster. Of a pushing disposition he was ever ready to make business and meet an opportunity half way. He built a great number of substantial house, among them that in which the post office is now located, which was the first house built on this side of the river, and occupied for many years as a hotel. He also built the business block now owned by Mr. Frohnapfel, and the residence which for so many years occupied the present site of the Western Wayne Bank; also the very substantial and commodious residence in which his family have lived for more than forty years. Mr. Lackey was born on a farm near Chillicothe, O., and his father dying, the boy let home at an early age. Thrown upon his own resources, he found in the opportunities, circumstances and men of this new country the conditions that developed his energy and industry, and he bent of his mind irresistibly led him to pursuits allied with trading. Various are the lines of business in which Mr. Lackey engaged during his life; all, however, were of a character that brought him in contact with many men, and probably no one here ever bought so much produce in the aggregate as he. Milling, pork packing, distilling and stock shipping were the avenues by which his energy and shrewdness reached the affairs and interests of this large farming community. Sanford Lackey, William Petty, Abner Bond, Isaac Myer and their contemporaries are all dead, but how potent was their influence in developing this country. Their line of business was the one that made a good market for the produce and labor of the farmer and mechanic. Do we truly understand and estimate the work done by these men of early times? - they are a type and class almost extinct. Mr. Lackey's energy and industry were of the strongest character, as may be illustrated by the saying of an old settler, if in the "wee sma' hours"" an unusual commotion was heard on the highway, with shouting of men, deep lowing of cattle, or the distinctive grunt and squeal of a hog, the awakened sleeper would turn over in bed with a contented sense that it was "San. Lackey driving in stock," and that there were yet several good hours before daylight. Mr. Lackey would relate with much enjoyment one of his first trades when he sold Joshua Lamott a suit of broadcloth and took in exchange an entire crop of oats of several hundred bushels then worth six cents per bushel. And, by the way, that is a significant commentary on the progress of the age during one life time - to-day labor, either of farmer or mechanic, can secure more of the manufactured luxuries of civilization than ever before. Those who are familiar with Mr. Lackey's affairs know that he was liberal and generous in business and that he reposed great faith in those he was connected with. He met with many reverses in fortune, but it is good to recall that he never was soured and never complained, but always said and felt that this was a good world. He was peculiarly happy in his family, and who can estimate to what degree the good spirits that sustained him and gave an impulse to his endeavors found their spring or fountain in the cheerful wife whose first care and pleasure has been in their home. She, with kind daughters and helpful sons, made the declining years of his life happy and bright. he was ever an indulgent father, and it has been pleasant for his friends to see in these last years that his boys have been able and quick to bestow on him pleasures and comforts which he appreciated and acknowledged as feelingly as though h had not all his life been doing as much for them. Mr. Lackey's hospitality was proverbial, and the generous style of living and cordial welcome he gave to friends will be recalled by many and many a one who has broken bread at his cheerful board, and with a sigh and tear will be joined the fervent wish that he has begun a fuller and happier existence. The funeral services occurred yesterday afternoon at the family residence, Revs. Clark and Retts officiating. The remains were laid to rest in Riverside Cemetery.

Vol 2, p 197 -
P.R. Lackey, Deputy Treasurer of Wayne County, Indiana, is a native of Cambridge City, where he was educated. His father, Sanford Lackey, was born in Chillicothe, Ohio, March 1, 1809, a son of John and Susan C. (Plummer) Lackey, natives of Washington County, Pennsylvania, who in 1808 removed to Ohio, and settled near Chillicothe. After several years' residence in Ohio, he visited his old home, making the trip on horseback, and when on his return died within thirteen miles of Chillicothe. Of a family of ten children, eight are living. Sanford Lackey received a good education in the schools of Chillicothe and Cincinnati. He was married in 1829 to Margaret Rickey, who died in June, 1838, leaving three children, of whom two, Margaret and Kandance, are living. He afterward married Jane Murphy, of Fayette Co., Ind. They have eight children. Mr. Lackey came to Wayne County in 1833, and opened the first store in Cambridge City, which he carried on thirty years, and in the meantime was appointed Postmaster. He has given his attention largely to dealing in horses, cattle and hogs, in which he has been very successful and is now one of the most prominent business men of Cambridge City.