Historic Hopeville and Vicinity 1850-1982

Casper Newton (Ike) Lamb was born March 1, 1881 in Fulton County, Ill., and died Decembber 8, 1965, son of Joseph Albert and Emma (Runnels) Lamb. Buried Westerville Cemetery along with his wife.

He was united in marriage December 25, 1907 to Grace Carrel born August 2, 1888 Richland Township, Decatur County, Iowa, and died November 16, 1966, daughter of James and Laura Alice (Clark) Carrel, natives of Decatur County. They became the parents of seven children:

Elma Lorene b. 1911 m. Russell A. Busick... 5 children
Carl Albert b. 1912 m. Doris Arlene Cooper... 3 children
Clark Dwaine b. 1914 m. Bessie Beatrice Jackson... 2 children
Grace Alice b. 1916 m. Ralph Edward Kriese... 2 children
Edna Maxine b. 1921 m. Doyle Lester McConnell... 6 children
Ruth b. & d. 1918
Alberta Elaine b. 1923 m. Eugene Leonard Foland... 2 children

The Lambs farmed in Doyle Township many years, their doors always opened to friends and relatives... a close-knit family, the many cousins remember joining the Lamb family for swimming in the Grand River in the summer, and ice skating in the winter, and Uncle Ike played a mean violin. They purchased a small farm south of Thayer in later years.

Casper and Margaret Lamb
Wedding picture

"Uncle Hi" Lamb answers summons. The passing of Mr. Lamb, which occured at 11 o'clock Monday, December removes from our midst one of the very first citizens of Murray and one of the early pioneers of the county and state, having came to Union County in 1850 (Pleasant township) and to Clarke County in 1868, and during the half-century and more he witnessed the transposition of the wild prairies of this locality into the present high state of development. His life would indeed make an interesting chapter. During the earlier years of Mr. Lamb's life, he followed his trade as carpenter and it was by his hands that the first buildings that dotted the county were erected. As time went on, he became widely known as a contractor and builder, having to do with nearly all of the larger construction work of the county. Several years ago, "Uncle HI" was appointed postmaster at Murray, which trust he held until about a year ago when he was obliged to resign on account of ill health.

Mr. Lamb was born in Floyd county, Indiana, October 28, 1831, and passed away December 28, 1914. He was in marriage with Sarah Jane Emery In Hopeville, Iowa, on June 28, 1854, who with the children survive him.

Lula B. Huff Tygart, the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Huff, was born in Decatur county, Iowa, June 3, 1882, and died at the home of her brother, T.E. Huff, near Leslie, Iowa, May 24, 1915, being 32 years, 11 months and 21 days of age. She was married to J.W. Tygart in Decatur county, la., during the month of Feb. 1898. This happy union was severed by the unweicomed guest called death. Mrs. Tygart leaves to mourn her loss a husband, two brothers and one sister. The brothers are H.W. Huff of Wheeler county, Nebraska, and T.E. Huff of Leslie, Ia. The sister is Mrs. William Siefkas of Clarke county, Ia. Her father, mother and one brother preceded her in death some years ago. Deceased united with the Christian church in Hopeville, la, some twenty years ago.

Sarah Eliza Cone Gaumer was born Jan. 5, 1847 in Monroe county, Iowa. In the spring of 1869 she moved to
Clarke county, Iowa. During all these years she remained a citizen of the county and, we believe, had resided on well known Gaumer farm southwest of Murray, in Doyle township, until a few years ago when Mr. and Mrs. Gaumer moved to Murray, where they have since resided and continued to enjoy the greatest respect of all our people. She married in Jan. 1880 to John Gaumer, becoming his second wife and the mother of eight step-children, six of whom are living. To this union seven children were born, four boys and three girls all of whom, with the exception of one daughter living in Canada, were present. She leaves, besides her husband, children, six brothers, grandchildren and a host of friends.