Marilyn's Paternal Great-Grandmother - Eleanor Lakin
"She spent her last wasting breaths in shouts and praises to her sweet redeemer."
Eleanor Lakin was born on August 8, 1834 in Green, Illinois. Her father was Joseph Lakin (1795-1850) and her mother was Narcissa Etter (1800-1847). When Eleanor was born, Joseph was 39 and Narcissa was 34. Joseph Lakin’s ancestors hail from England and immigrated to the Massachusetts colonies in 1677.
Eleanor was the second of six children.
Her siblings are:
Daniel Lakin (1830-1865) Fought in the Civil War for the Union in the 106 Illinois Infantry. He married Clarissa Ogden and had three children.
Andrew Lakin was born in 1835. He was married and had two children.
Joseph Lakin was born in 1838. He fought in the Civil War for the Union, 26th Illinois Infantry, and died on September 14, 1863. He was buried in Indiana.
Jemina (1741-1815), no further information.
Henry (1845-1875) was married and had three daughters.
Eleanor's mother Narcissa died in 1847. Between 1847 and 1950, her father married Sarah Sink, as she is listed in the 1850 Census.
The 1850 US Census enumerates Eleanor Lakin as 17 and living in Moredock, Monroe County, Illinois. Her Father is Joseph Lakins (54) and her Mother is Sarah Lakins (40). Also living in the household are Andrew (15), Joseph (12), Jemima (9), Henry (6), John Sink (20), and William Sink (14). John is also listed as a laborer on their farm.
I would guess that John Sink and William Sink might be Sarah's children from a previous marriage, but this is unconfirmed.
When Eleanor was 21, she married Daniel Hugh Oglesby on June 27, 1855, in Clinton, Illinois. This was Daniel’s second marriage. He was 30 and had two daughters, ages 6 and 3, so Eleanor became an instant mother.
Daniel wrote about his marriage and Eleanor's conversion to the Methodist faith.
She was converted and joined the church at Shloh in St. Clair County, Illinois in the fall of ‘55 and baptized at the same camp meeting by W.R Davis, D.D.”
What is a Camp Meeting? As the name implies, those who attended such meetings came prepared to camp out, gathering at the prearranged time and place from distances as great as 30 to 40 miles away. Families pitched their tents around a forest clearing where log benches and a rude preaching platform constituted an outdoor church that remained in almost constant session for three or four days. As many as 10,000 to 20,000 people were reported at some meetings. People came partly out of curiosity, partly out of a desire for social contact and festivity, but primarily out of their yearning for religious worship. Activities included preaching, prayer meetings, hymn singing, weddings, and baptisms. The theology of the preachers varied, but a sudden conversion experience was usually emphasized. As Daniel was also a “Methodist Brother,” I would assume he also preached at such camp meetings.
Daniel and Eleanor had their first son, John about 1857. I have not been able to find any further information on John.
Their next child, Elizabeth Narcissa was born on August 3, 1858. (I have found, through Ancestry.com, that I am DNA-matched to many of Elizabeth’s descendants!)
Their 3rd child, Lyman Trumbull was born on March 9, 1860, and as you know from my previous posts, Lyman is Marilyn’s grandfather.
In June of 1860, the US Census enumerates Eleanor as 25, married to Daniel, and living in Bond, Illinois. Also living in the household are Nancy (11), Sarah (8), (daughters from Daniel's first marriage.) John (4). Narcissa (2), Lyman (3 months), James Ryley (21), Jemima Lakin (18), Joseph Laken (21) (siblings of Eleanor's.), and George Ingalls (12). I have not verified the relationship, if any, with James Ryley or George Ingalls.
Sadly, Eleanor died on August 29, 1861. She was just 27 years old.
Daniel wrote her obituary and this is his handwriting. It seems to indicate she was suffering from an illness, although I don’t have confirmation of how she died and I do not have a death record.
Neither do I have a photo of her. It’s not uncommon for women to go unmentioned in history and finding records is rare. Most land records and the census records before 1850, did not give names of women or children that lived in the household. That is why, keeping family stories, mementos, and photographs are so important. Without them, some of our ancestors would be unknown. And that is why I keep searching!
Learning from the past can forever alter how you see yourself.
If you still have Grandparents, ask them about their life experiences - and get details! Or, ask your parents to tell you stories about their grandparents.
Sharing stories is one of life’s treasures!