Shawnee County KS Archives Biographies.....Lakin, David Long 1830 - 1897
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/ks/ksfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com September 26, 2006, 4:09 am

Author: James L. King (1905)

DAVID LONG LAKIN.

    DAVID LONG LAKIN, deceased, who for 40 years was closely identfied with the
important agencies which have resulted in the development of Kansas into one of
the greatest States of the Union, and for almost as long a period was an
important factor in the building and management of the great Atchison, Topeka &
Santa Fe Railway and its mighty interests, was one of Topeka's most honored and
valued citizens. The birth of Mr. Lakin occurred at Zanesville, Ohio, May 27,
1830, and his long and useful life closed at Topeka, on October 8, 1897.

    Mr. Lakin enjoyed excellent educational advantages, graduating with credit
from Zanesville College. His natural inclinations and mental equipment led him
to seek a career which would involve mental rather than manual activity, and he
accepted a position as a school teacher in Alabama. At that period there were
many calls from the South for the services of educators from the North, and Mr.
Lakin spent many pleasant and profitable years in that Southern State. In 1857,
after the final settlement of many of the public problems which had marred the
fame of this beautiful and fruitful country, Mr. Lakin came to Kansas, and
through his whole subsequent life gave his allegiance and most unselfish and
earnest efforts to promote the State's welfare. As years passed, his sterling
character was recognized by his community and he was placed in many positions of
responsibility which increased public confidence. In 1862 he was appointed
Auditor of the State. Mr. Lakin's connection with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa
Fe Railway began early in its organization, and in February, 1864, he was
elected to membership on its directing board and was made its first treasurer.
Until the close of his life, Mr. Lakin remained with this great transportation
system, one of its most active and influential managers, and much of the credit
was due him for the general prosperity brought about a decade later, when the
road was completed to the western border of the State. He was concerned with
everything that has made this road one of the greatest lines in the country, and
his death brought not only a sense of personal loss to those with whom he had
been so closely connected and who had learned to depend upon his almost unerring
judgment, but to the many great interests involved.

    Mr. Lakin was married July 14, 1868, at Topeka, to Mary E. Ward. She was
born in 1844 at Shawnee Mission, and is a daughter of the late Anthony A. and
Mary J. (Foster) Ward. There were five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Lakin,
namely: Burr, Mary, David, Alice and Samuel.

    Politically, Mr. Lakin was identified with the Democratic party, believing
in its principles and consistently supporting its candidates. His fraternal
associations were with different branches of Masonry. He was more or less
interested in various social organizations and was a dependable factor in
public-spirited enterprises.

    In this too brief sketch of David Long Lakin, a summary of his life and
character would show that he was a man of force, ability and integrity. His
fellow-citizens know that he was wise in council and generous and fair in
spirit; his business associates remember his scrupulous attention to all the
absorbing duties of his office; and his family recall one, whose constant care
was for their welfare.

    There are few more delightfully situated homes than that of Mrs. Lakin, at
No. 100 North Western avenue, Topeka. The large, old-fashioned residence,
surrounded by noble trees of luxuriant growth, is located on a hill that not
only overlooks the whole of the beautiful capital city with the great dome of
the State House showing to the south, but also enables the beholder to follow
the graceful curves of the Kansas River as it wands away through its green banks
to the Missouri. It is a home indicative of rest and refinement and here Mr.
Larkin enjoyed the ease which gave him the physical and mental strength
necessary for the carrying out of his important duties.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY, KANSAS
AND
REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

EDITED AND COMPILED BY
JAMES L. KING
TOPEKA, KANSAS 

"History is Philosophy Teaching by Examples"

PUBLISHED BY
RICHMOND & ARNOLD,
GEORGE RICHMOND; C. R. ARNOLD.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,
1905.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/shawnee/bios/lakin27nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ksfiles/

File size: 4.9 Kb