Samuel MYERS bought land from the government where Lacona presently sits in 1854. Jefferson, the original name for Lacona, was founded by Samuel MYERS and Willis CLEVENGER in 1856. He died on Friday, June 16,1893 at his home 2 ½ miles east of Lacona at the age of 88. He was buried in the Willis Cemetery. (Source - Chronology of the early settlers of White Breast Township and Lacona compiled by Edith HEEMSTRA and John FORD sometime around 1980.)