Samuel Lamb, of Ridott Township, was born and reared in Centre County, Pa., and is the offspring of excellent Scotch parents, who passed from earth early in life and left their son to the care of strangers. He was afterward looked after by a guardian, under whose care he remained until nineteen years of age, when, starting out in life for himself, he not long afterward found himself in the Prairie State, making arrangements for the establishment of a home of his own. He took up his residence in Ridott Township, in the spring of 1846, and purchased a tract of unimproved land of 164 acres, which he brought to a high state of cultivation. He has been a resident here continuously since that time, and by his worthy and upright course, has secured the esteem and confidence of the people of this locality.

The paternal great-grandfather of Samuel lamb, it is judged by the records, was a Scotchman by birth, and was one of those who participated in the religious agitations which disturbed that country three centuries ago. He was distinguished for his bravery and gallantry as a soldier, and on account of his bravery in a famous battle, was presented with a large estate in Ireland. He took possession of his property, but prior to the Revolutionary War, came to this country and purchased a large tract of land in Centre County, Pa., which he designed for the benefit of his heirs, and which, he wisely judged, in the then disturbed condition of Ireland, would be of more service to them than the estate in that unhappy country. He, however, returned to Ireland, and spent the remainder of his days upon his estates there. He had married and reared a family, among his sons being William, the grandfather of our subject, who was born in Ireland, and who, upon reaching his majority, took possession of the land which his father had left in Centre County, Pa. This lay near Bellefonte, the county seat.

William Lamb was married three times. Of his first marriage there was born a son whom they named Samuel. After reaching manhood, he took for his wife Miss Catherine King, a lady of German descent, but reared in Centre County. He located on a valuable tract of land in Centre County, and for many years resided at Coverly Hall, where he spent the lasts years of his life. His family included the subject of our sketch.

Samuel Lamb, Jr., was born in Centre County, Pa., Sept. 17, 1814, and was the youngest but one of thirteen children, of whom only two are now living. He was deprived of the affectionate care of his mother when a very young child, and his father died when he was five years of age. He was then placed in the care of a guardian, who also died five years later, and a second one was appointed, under whose supervision he remained, and of whose family he was a member, until a youth of nineteen years. He received a good education, and after reaching his majority, was married in 1836, to Miss Lettie J. McKibben. This lady is a native of the same county as her husband, having been born May 30, 1816. She also had been left motherless when a young child. After becoming the mother of two children, she accompanied her husband to the West and departed this life on the homestead in Ridott Township on the 3d of October, 1883, when she was over sixty-six years of age. She had been trained in the doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, to which she adhered religiously until her death. Three of the five children born of this union are now deceased, Susan Jane, and two who died unnamed. Those surviving are Mary C., the wife of J. F. Strunk, a farmer of West Point Township, and William T., who married Miss Ellen Hunt, and occupies the homestead.

Mr. and Mrs. Lamb after their marriage remained on a farm in Centre County, Pa., nine years. They made the journey to Illinois overland with teams, being five weeks on the road. They resided for a time in Lancaster Township, but in the spring of 1846, took possession of the land included in their present homestead. Upon this, it is hardly necessary to say Mr. Lamb has effected great improvements. He may be properly classed among the enterprising and progressive men who have redeemed the soil from its original condition, and assisted in developing the resources of one of the richest sections of the Prairie State.

The surviving brother of Mr. Lamb is William Lamb, who is living in Robertson, Hardin Co., Iowa.

Contributed by Carol Parrish from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Ill. (1888), p. 402