The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Clay Township, page 556
W.N. Lakin is the proprietor of the carriage and wagon factory, Coatesville, Ind., one of the principal enterprises of the town. He is a native of Illinois, born in 1845. His father, William H. Lakin, is a native of Ohio, moving thence to Illinois about 1845, and in 1859 coming to Hendricks County, Ind., and locating in Plainfield, where he still lives. W.N. learned his trade of his father, and was for some time associated with him in business in Plainfield. He then went to Danville and remained a year, and in 1869 located in Coatesville. In 1875 he erected a commodious building to accommodate his growing trade, and in 1885 built an addition, 20 x 45 feet in size, as a storeroom for his carriages and agricultural implements, which is a leading feature of his business. He carries on a general blacksmithing business. He is one of the most prosperous businessmen of the town and one of its most influential and enterprising citizens. He married Louisa C. Gambold, daughter of John Gambold, a pioneer of Hendricks County. They have one son--Otto F.