The ex-soldiers of the Civil War, like the honest, hardy agriculturalists of Hancock county are deserving of special mention in a volume of this character and to such a class of citizens does the subject of this review belong. Isaac lain is a native of Hancock county, Indiana, having been born in the township of Vernon on the 18^th day of November 1846. The Lord converted him January 13, 1886, and sanctified him January 14, 1886, and he joined the United Brethren church February 14, 1886.

The subject’s father, Jacob Lain, was born in New York and came to Bartholomew county, Indiana, when quite young. His mother, Sarah A. (Jones) Lain, was born in Franklin county, Indiana, and accompanied her husband to Hancock county in 1843, locating on land in Vernon township which her father, William Jones, had previously purchased. At that time the country was new and but little improvement had been made upon the place. Mr. Lain built a small log cabin of the most primitive pattern and for several years they lived the lives of the typical pioneers, but in due time they rejoiced in the possession of one of the best farms in that part of the county. He was known as an honest, industrious man, whose aim was to provide well for his family and at the same time to help promote the material prosperity of the community. He became a well-to-do farmer and as a man and citizen achieved a reputation which extended beyond the limits of the neighborhood where he spent the greater part of his life. He lived to a good old age, departing this life on the 26^th day of December, 1893. Mrs. Lain entered into rest some yeas before the death of her husband, the date of her demise being August 5 1886. The family of Jacob and Sarah Lain consisted of eight children, whose names are as follows: Elizabeth Jane, wife of A. F. Wilson, of Center township; William; Isaac; Eli; Isabella, widow of George W. Reeves; Clarissa M.; Robert S. and Martha E. Of these, Elizabeth, Isaac and Isabella only are living. Isaac Lain remained upon the home farm until 1863 and on December 14^th of that year enlisted in Company I, Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, with which he served until November 18, 1865, in the meantime experiencing all the dread realities of war in a number of battles, bearing his part as a true soldier. He participated in the siege of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Mobile, Alabama, and Grierson’s raid in 1865, in one of which struggles he had a horse short from under him and received a gunshot wound in his right leg.

After his discharge from the army Mr. Lain returned home and again took up the duties of the farm, remaining with his parents until his twenty-eighth year. On the 9^th of February, 1875, he was united in marriage with Miss Louisa Dobbins, of Hancock county, the daughter of John W. and Susanna Dobbins, a union which resulted in the birth of the following children: Nellie, who is still under the parental roof; John, married to Ina Shore, is assisting in the management of the home place; William, Otto and Grace, deceased at the ages of two, fifteen and eighteen years respectively; May Hazel, Ruth and Ray, still member of the home circle. In 1873 Mr. Lain bought his present place in Buck Creek township, which he has since cleared and developed into one of the best farms of its area in that part of the county. In 1875 he erected the dwelling now in use and in addition has put up several suitable outbuildings. As a farmer and stock raiser he is one of the leading men of his community.

In politics Mr. Lain is a stalwart Prohibitionist, believing that the only true and proper remedy for the gigantic evil of the liquor traffic is its entire suppression, and that all true Christians everywhere should pray and vote against the evil and not suffer themselves to be controlled by or support political parties that are managed in the interest of the drink traffic. Mrs. Lain was born August 15, 1855, and converted in January, 1875.

Transcribed from Biographical Memoirs of Hancock County B. F. Bowen, Publisher, Logansport, Indiana, 1902 Pages 402-404.

Submitted by Sylvia (Rose) Duda, Laingsburg, MI Sept. 22, 2003.

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