HON. LUTHER DEARBORN, attorney (Dearborn & Campbell); Havana; was born in Plymouth, Graf'ton Co., N. H., March 24, 1820, and is a son of Jonathan and Nancy (Walker) Dearborn; he received his early education at the Newhampton Academical and Theological Institution, where ho spent about five years; at an early age, he began teaching, and during the winter months followed this vocation, until his removal, with his father's family, to Dearborn Co., Ind., in 1841. His first employment in his new home was in the office of the Circuit Clerk, where he also commenced the study of law. In April, 1844, he came to Havana, but after a residence here of about one year, removed to St. Charles, Kane Co., this State, and the following year located at Elgin, in the same county; he was here employed as bookkeeper for W. C. Kimball, and afterward engaged in mercantile business on his own account. In 1850 he was elected Sheriff of Kane Co., having for his deputy the well-known Allan Pinkerton. At the expiration of his first term of office as Sheriff, Mr. Dearborn was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court of Kane Co.; during his term of office, he was admitted to the bar, and soon after commenced the practice of law. In the fall of 1858, he removed to his present home and became a law partner of William Walker. For the benefit of his wife's health, Mr. Dearborn, in 1802, removed to St. Paul, Minn., where he resided for two years, after which, attracted by the educational advantages of Faribault, that State, he went to that beautiful city; while a resident there, he became interested in the schools, which have, under the able and successful management of Bishop Whipple, acquired such a reputation at home and abroad, and was soon after elected one of the Trustees, which position he has since held; he was also nominated by Gov. Marshall, and twice confirmed by the Senate of that State, as a Trustee of the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Asylum, located at Faribault; and, as Chairman of the Building Committee, superintended the commencement of that elegant structure, now completed, which beautifies the city and honors the State, and which, in connection wi|h the schools, gives the place such a reputation abroad. In 1867, he was elected by the Grand Chapter of the State as Grand High Priest, and in that capacity visited most of the Chapters in the State, delivering lectures and exemplifying the work of the Order. While on a visit to Illinois, in the spring of 1868, Mr. Dearborn was nominated, unexpectedly to himself, by the Democratic Convention, assembled in St. Paul, as one of the Electors at Large, and made the canvass of the State for Gov. Horatio Seymour, of New York, as their candidate for President of the United States. In 1869, Mr. Dearborn returned to Havana, which has since been his home. In 1876', he was elected, by the Democratic party, State Senator, for the term of four years. He was married, in March, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James and Elizabeth Walker. Mrs. Dearborn's father bought several thousand acres of land in Mason County, in 1836, and located at Walker's Grove the following year. She was born in Aurora, Dearborn Co., Ind., Jan. 3, 1829. Mr. and Mrs. Dearborn's family consisted of nine children, three of whom are living:  Luther M., Frank A. and James H. Mr. Dearborn has been a member of the Masonic Fraternity since 1846; he is a member of Havana Lodge No. 88, Havana Chapter No. 86. and Damascus No. 42, and has served as the First Commander of the latter body.



Maintained by Mason County Coordinator Donna Mayer