Source: Portrait & Biographical Album of Whiteside County, IL
Originally published 1885 Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL

Transcribed by: Becky Jones

Page 194

Jabez Lathe, a farmer in Lyndon Township, is the third son of Reuel and Sally (Robins) Lathe, of whom a sketch may be found elsewhere in this volume. He was born Dec. 1, 1822, in Steuben Co., N.Y., where he was brought up on a farm, and was well educated. He began teaching when 20 years old, and alternated that pursuit with farming until he came to Whiteside County with his parents, the removal of the family hither being effected in 1845. In 1846 he bought 80 acres of land on section 12, Lyndon Township, on which he made the first improvements, in 1848. He broke a few acres and set out an orchard, as a beginning of the work of putting his property under thorough cultivation.

Mr. Lathe was united in marriage April 4, 1849, to Pamelia, daughter of John P. and Candace Sands. In the spring of 1850 he located on his place, where he had built a house. His wife died Sept. 1, 1854. He was again married Dec. 1, 1855, to Martha M. Hickcox. She was born in Chittenden Co., Vt., and is the daughter of Thomas N. and Mary (Foster) Hickcox. The agricultural affairs of Mr. Lathe were proceeding prosperously when his buildings, fences and orchard were swept away by the tornado of June 3, 1860. His wife was so severely injured that she never fully recovered. He built the house he now occupies in 1862, and the farm is again supplied with convenient buildings, and is fenced in good condition.