LAMM, Axim J. 1841 - 1921

LAMM, SELLERS, JOHNSON

Posted By: Colette Miles (email)
Date: 7/3/2017 at 17:08:48

Wright County Monitor Wednesday, August 3rd , 1921, Clarion, Iowa

Axim J. Lamm

"Men die but sorow never dies
The crowding years divide in vain.
And the wide world is knit with thee.
Of common brotherhood in palms"

Counting days on the reckoning of the Psalms Axim J. Lamm, whose passing is mourned today, began to live on borrowed time more than ten years ago. Thursday morning at 2:30 he fell asleep having passed his 80th mileston by six months and twenty-one days.
He was the youngest of a family of seven children, the last surviving so far as is known of Axim and Charity Lamm. Born at Newcastle, Indiana, on Jan 7, 1841, his home was made there until his 16th year his parents came overland to Tama county Iowa, near Toledo. He had attained his majority but a few months when on August 21, 1862, he enlisted in the service of his country at Marshalltown, Iowa, becoming a private in Co. E. of the 24th Infantry. Let it be recorded to his honor that he served his country in this capacity for three years. He was taken sick on the boat that was taking troops to the south and was to the marine hospital at Orleans suffering with break-bone fever. When he recovered after a long and painful illness he spent quite a period assisting in nursing in the hospital, a task for which he was peculiurly fitted. In all he was 12 months at this place. He was captured at Champion Hills, one of the battles that led to the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and was sent to Andersonville prison. However it was his good fortune to be exchanged at the end og one week. Mr. Lamm was honorably discharged from the service on July 17, 1865 when his company was mustered out.
He was happily wedded on October 11th 1865 to Miss Nancy Ann Sellers, who for nearly 56 years shared with him the varied experiences which came to the pioneers who hav left us the heritage of a civilization of which any nation or age might be proud. In her he found a help mate indeed who bor hardships uncomplainings, smiled through her tears, furnished her need of encouragement and lightended the household by the joy of her inner life. After spending one year in Tama county they removed to Louisa county, where they dwelt for 10 years. Mr. Lamm being post master and running a drug store. Three years were spent in Madison county, near Dexter, Iow, where the deceased engaged in farming. One year, from the spring of 1879 to June 1880 the dwelt in Des Moines before coming to Clarion.
It is hard for those of us who live in comfort and enjoy so many luxuries to conceive of this little city when Mr. and Mrs. Lamm took up their abode here. There was not a mile of railroad in Wright county Twice a week the stage passed through from Belmond to Webster City. There was not a sidewalk in town, unless prehaps the business section be excepted. South of this home there was but one building, which , but a few days ago was moved to the south part of town. Everything south was in corn, the north part of town was a swamp, while the city boasted just a little company of simple hearted, honest folk who laid foundations wiser than they knew.
In 1910 Mr. Lamm took up his residence in Wyoming becoming a homesteader. There he retained his citizenship. He loved that country but his failing health made it necessary for him to return to Clarion to live.
Four children blest this home but two of them daughters and one a son remained but a brief period. The remaining daughter, Lena, Mrs. B. L. Johnson has with final love and devotion assumed the responsibility and the heavy care incident to her father's illness, assisted in every hour of need by her mother.
While the deceased never made any profession of a religious experience and therefore never united with any church, he was interested in their welfare and personally contributed to the erection of all the churches which were constructed during his presence here. His was a hospital spirit, he loved to keep open house for his friends, and he was always happy when any of them accepted the proffer of his open doors. Those in need made a strong apeal to his sympathies. An appreciation of the beautiful was natural to him whether it was a mountain in the clouds, a sunset, a bible hymn or some attribute of human character. He kept his own counsel and yet talked freely when matters in which he was interested were named.
The winter of 1915-1916 Mr. Lamm's health began to break. Through the years he had enjoyed wery even health, with few exeptions. For many months he had been in great feebleness, counscious that his earthly house was slowly being dissolved. Often in pain he bore his sufferings with great fortitude. He who in earlier years had so often exerciesed his skill in caring for the sick was in his last illness cared for by hands prompted by love. Thursday morning of last wee ast the town clock struck 3:30 he drew his last breath. Consciousness as a rich boom, was granted him to the last moments and in his burden of pain he was comforted by the knowledge that those he loved guarded his last hours. May the peace of God guard their hearts in these hours of loneliness and bereavement.
Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. John B. Walker, at the family home at 4 o'clock Sunday afternoon. Interment was made in Evergreen cemetery.