Virgil Gustavus Lamb

LAMB, HOLBROOK

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/28/2015 at 23:33:16

Monona County Iowa History- 1982

Virgil Gustavus Lamb

My Dad, Virgil Gustavus Lamb- (much better known as Gus Lamb) was born in Ringgold County in Iowa July 15, 1870. He was a resident of Monona County all of his life. He came here with his parents in a covered wagon when he was eleven years old. He, with his parents, nine brothers and two sisters first settled about two and a half miles south west of Moorhead, Iowa. The first person that they saw here was Charles Neal. That was out south of town where the old town dump used to be.

Dads brothers names were Frank, Will, Ben, Tom, Joe, Louis and Ray, (Louis passed away at the age of four years) His two sisters names were Margaret and Daisy. The two girls married and lived in Nebraska- near Laurel and Sholes. All of the boys except Joe and Gus married and settled in Oregon, near Medford and Talent.

Dad was a friend to everyone (both young and old) He really was "one of a kind" - a very hard worker, intelligent and had a keen sense of humor. I doubt if he ever met a stranger. He loved the farm, and was an excellent farmer. One of his unique features was a big "handle bar" mustache and he was seldom seen without a big red handkerchief around his neck.

In his younger years he went with a threshing crew. He always provided well for his family. At the age of nineteen years, he married Sarah Ellen Holbrook, (my dear mother).To this union was born four boys and three girls. One boy passed away in infancy. The boy’s names were Charley, Clarence and Arthur- and the girls names were Ethel, Maudie and Lucile.

My mother was born near Boone, Iowa, March 8 1874. She came to Monona County at a very early age- (eight years) She with her parents, three brothers and four sisters settled about eight miles north west of Moorhead. Mom's brother’s names were Charley, Grant and Delaware. (Delaware passed away at the age of three years. Her sister’s names were Zina, Lizza, Ida, and Edna. Zina, Ida and Edna and Grant lived in and near Sioux City after they were married. Lizza lived in Onawa after she married.

My mother was a very kind, industrious, intelligent person. She and Dad worked very well together in rearing their family. My mother kept the home fires burning while Dad was away working- threshing or helping the neighbors.

Dad and Mom farmed near Moorhead all of their lives and all of their children were born near Moorhead.

My mother passed away in 1935 at the age of 61 years. Dad was 77 when he passed away- in 1947. I am the only one of the family now- Lucile E (Lamb) Quitt.