LAMB, Rachel H. 1845 – 1925

LAMB, HUMES, KENSINGER, JANTZEN, BOLEN, MEHLIN, HARNESS

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/24/2013 at 14:45:47

Funeral services for Mrs. Rachel Lamb were held Friday afternoon from the Methodist Church of Malcom. Rev. W. B. Wilson, of Grinnell, former pastor of the Madison Christian Church, was in charge. Interment was in the Malcom Cemetery.

Mrs. Rachel Lamb, whose maiden name was Humes, was born in Tippecanoe, county, Indiana, April 27, 1845, and passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Friend Kensinger, May 13, 1925, at the ripe age of 80 years and 26 days.

While yet a small girl she came with her parents to Iowa and settled on a farm near What Cheer, in Keokuk county. Those were pioneer days when social and educational advantages were meager, but they were days demanding thrift, and industry, and they wrought into the growing and developing girl a spirit of courage, honesty and neighborliness that was so characteristic of the strong men and women who came out of that early period of mid-western life.

In 1865 she was married to Tobias Lamb, who also resided at What Cheer, and the young couple began their wedded life on a farm near that place. In 1884 the family moved onto a farm north of Malcom where Mr. Lamb died October 29, 1899. Mrs. Lamb continued to make her home on the farm, operating it with the help of the children until about 16 years ago when she moved to Brooklyn where she resided continuously until the beginning of her illness about two years ago.

In 1875 she and her husband joined the Christian Church at What Cheer, but later she transferred her membership to the Madison church. She was a charter member of the Rebekah lodge of Malcom and has proven herself a willing worker in that organization.

Mrs. Lamb was the mother of twelve children, all of whom are living except three boys. Two of these died many years ago, while young, and Linus in 1917. Those living are Ephraim E., Bert, Ralph F., Harry T., Mrs. Myrtle Jantzen, Mrs. Sylvia Bolen, Mrs. Addie Mehlin, Mrs. Hattie Harness, and Mrs. Sadie Kensinger, all of whom reside in Poweshiek county. There are 32 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren living; also three brothers and one sister.

Mrs. Lamb was a rare soul. Up until the time of her recent illness she was rugged in health and alert in mind. She was religious by nature and her spirit of devotion to the ideals of Christianity deepened with advancing years. She was passionately devoted to her home and family and was always a worthy neighbor in the best sense. Her cheerful, kindly presence will be sorely missed, but the memory of a strong useful life will long remain as a benediction.

Source: Unknown newspaper clipping found in scrapbook belonging to my great grandmother, Edith (Kann) Newton.