Lamb, Ephraim E.

LAMB, HUMES, JANTZEN, BOLEN, MEHLIN, KENSINGER, EISELE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/1/2009 at 12:18:54

History of Poweshiek Co. Iowa (1911)
Page 303

EPHRAIM E. LAMB

Agricultural pursuits of Malcom township are well represented by Ephraim E. Lamb, whose entire life has been given to that vocation. He was born in Keokuk county, Iowa, on the 11th of December, 1870, a son of Tobias R. and Rachel (Humes) Lamb. The father, who was born in Greene county, Ohio, in 1841, went with his parents in early childhood to Bureau county, Illinois, and resided there until he was nineteen years of age, when he came to Iowa, locating in Keokuk county. He was a farmer by occupation and was well known in political circles, being a member and one of the organizers of the greenback party in this locality. Later, however, he supported the democratic party. He was married, in Keokuk county, to Miss Rachel Humes, who was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1845, and when a little maiden of three years went to Keokuk county, Iowa, with her parents. She now makes her home in Brooklyn, Poweshiek county, her husband having passed away in Malcom township on the 29th of November, 1899. They were the parents of twelve children, as follows: Linas E., of Poweshiek county; Jeremiah, who passed away at the age of thirteen years; James H., who passed away at the age of eleven years; Ephraim E., of this review; William Lewis, operating the home farm in Malcom township; Ralph F., of Grinnell township, Myrtle, who married Herman Jantzen, of Grinnell, Sylvia, the wife of William Bolen, of Madison township; Addie, who married Theo. Mehlin, of Sheridan township; Hattie, residing with her mother in Brooklyn; Sadie, who married Friend Kensinger, of Bear Creek township; and Harrison, of Brooklyn.

Ephraim E. Lamb, whose name introduces this review, spent the early period of his life in his native county, where he acquired his education, and was fourteen years of age when he came with his parents, in 1884, to Malcom township which, with the exception of one year, has since remained the place of his residence. Reared to farm life, he has continued to engage in that pursuit, and for about five years after the death of his father he operated the home farm. He then rented a farm in Madison township, upon which he remained for one year, when he removed to his present home, where he has resided for the past five years. The place, known as the Charles Hatcher farm, which he is operating in the capacity of renter, consists of three hundred and twenty acres, located on section 15. Mr. Lamb gives his attention mostly to his stock-raising interests, which are extensive and carefully conducted, according to the most practical, progressive methods, and which are proving a most gratifying source of revenue.

Mr. Lamb was married, on the 21st of February, 1905, to Miss Viola Eisele, a native of Malcom township, born on the 13th of May, 1884. She is a daughter of J.E. Eisele, of whom extended mention is made in another part of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb have one son, Earl F., who was born on the 14th of June, 1906, and who is the life and light of the household.

The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Malcom, in the work of which they take a deep and helpful interest, and fraternally Mr. Lamb belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has held all of the chairs. Early in life he became interested in the politics of the country and, forming his own opinions and rules of conduct, has given his support to the democratic party. He is now serving his second term as township assessor and has ever been a loyal worker for the best interest of Malcom township, where he is widely known as a man of high principles and noble manhood.