Born in Frankford, Hampshire County, Virginia, June 8, 1808. His parents Thomas and Elizabeth Barns Lash were also natives of the same State. The family had resided in Virginia since the Colonial days. His father was a saddler and harness maker by trade. Mr. Lash learned the trade with his father and worked at it until he reached manhood when he engaged as a merchant’s clerk continuing that capacity until 1836 when he went to Indiana and the following year came to Mt. Pleasant. He was married in his native town to Mrs. Sarah Keller a lady of brilliant accomplishments and artistic talent. Mr. Lash left his native State and spent short time in Indiana where he arranged to bring a stock of goods to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and to act as an agent in their disposal for A. B. Hughes. He arrived at Mt. Pleasant in April 1837, and opened a second store in that place. He continued to act as an agent for Mr. Hughes for a few years, then bought the stock and began business for himself. After continuing the business for a short time alone, he, in 1849, formed a partnership with Samuel Smith and William Thompson, which relation continued until 1856. He was then out of business until 1860 when he took his brother Thomas as partner which connection continued until 1873, when he sold out to his brother and then lived a retired life. Mr. Lash was a prominent man in the affairs of Mt. Pleasant and in Henry County and his influence was always given in favor of measures which were for the benefit of the county. In 1840, he was elected Representative in the Second Territorial Legislative Assembly and re-elected in 1841. In the affairs of the town and city of Mt. Pleasant he took a leading part. In 1852, he was elected to the Council re-elected in 1856, ’57, ’58 and ’59, and again in ’68, ’69, ’70, and ’71 — the latter being his last public service. In politics he was always a Democrat and independent in forming his own opinions.

Born in Frankford, Hampshire County, Virginia, June 8, 1808. His parents Thomas and Elizabeth Barns Lash were also natives of the same State. The family had resided in Virginia since the Colonial days. His father was a saddler and harness maker by trade. Mr. Lash learned the trade with his father and worked at it until he reached manhood when he engaged as a merchant’s clerk continuing that capacity until 1836 when he went to Indiana and the following year came to Mt. Pleasant. He was married in his native town to Mrs. Sarah Keller a lady of brilliant accomplishments and artistic talent. Mr. Lash left his native State and spent short time in Indiana where he arranged to bring a stock of goods to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and to act as an agent in their disposal for A. B. Hughes. He arrived at Mt. Pleasant in April 1837, and opened a second store in that place. He continued to act as an agent for Mr. Hughes for a few years, then bought the stock and began business for himself. After continuing the business for a short time alone, he, in 1849, formed a partnership with Samuel Smith and William Thompson, which relation continued until 1856. He was then out of business until 1860 when he took his brother Thomas as partner which connection continued until 1873, when he sold out to his brother and then lived a retired life. Mr. Lash was a prominent man in the affairs of Mt. Pleasant and in Henry County and his influence was always given in favor of measures which were for the benefit of the county. In 1840, he was elected Representative in the Second Territorial Legislative Assembly and re-elected in 1841. In the affairs of the town and city of Mt. Pleasant he took a leading part. In 1852, he was elected to the Council re-elected in 1856, ’57, ’58 and ’59, and again in ’68, ’69, ’70, and ’71 — the latter being his last public service. In politics he was always a Democrat and independent in forming his own opinions.