Part of the Indiana Biographies Project
Rev. Phineas Lamb
One of the best known and most generally loved citizens of Richmond and vicinity was Rev. Phineas Lamb, whose whole life was passed in this immediate section of Wayne county. From his youth he seemed to be of a serious, deeply religious nature, and, as he grew older, the meaning and responsibilities of life wore a yet graver aspect for him. He was thoroughly earnest and sincere in all his thoughts, words and deeds, and his noble, manly life has proved an inspiration to many of his old friends and associates. Though he has passed to his reward, the influence of his conscientious, just career, his kindly, generous heart and sympathetic manner abide.
A son of Thomas and Sarah (Smith) Lamb, and brother of Isaac Lamb, a well known resident of Wayne county, the subject of this sketch was born on the old family homestead, two and a halt miles northwest of Richmond, September 5, 1824. His boyhood was passed in the usual active labors common to frontier life in those days, and when quite young he was competent to manage a farm. He continued to dwell on the parental farm until 1875, when he took up his abode in the western part of Richmond and gave his attention to gardening. There he was still living at the time of his death, January 26, 1887, when he was in his sixty-third year. For many years he had been a licensed minister in the Methodist Episcopal denomination and was very active in the work of the church. On numerous occasions he occupied the pulpit, and for years he served as a class-leader, superintendent of the Sunday-school and in other official positions in the West Richmond church. He had been reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, but, after studying the gospel and the doctrines of various churches, he came to the conclusion that none surpassed in beauty, simplicity and the amount of good accomplished in the elevation of the world that of the Methodists, and he accordingly enlisted in its wonderful army of communicants. As would be expected of such a man, true in all his relations to his fellows, he was loyal to his duties as a citizen of this great commonwealth, and used his franchise in favor of all noble principles and upright candidates for public office. He was a Republican in national affairs, while in local matters he voted for the man rather than for the party.
On the 26th of Novernber, 1846, a marriage ceremony united the destinies of Rev. Mr. Lamb and Miss Sarah Jones. Five children were born to this estimable couple, namely: Mary, who is the wife of James Bryant, of West Richmond; Rebecca, who married Henry Owens, also of West Richmond; Edmond, also a citizen of Richmond; Ruth, who became the wife of James Duke, and lives in this city; and Albert, who lives on a part of the old family homestead. Mrs. Lamb, who survives her husband, is still a resident of West Richmond, where she has a host of sincere friends and well-wishers. She was born January 4, 1824, near Centerville, Wayne county, being next to the youngest of nine children, whose parents were Edmond and Ruth (Jarrett) Jones. Five of the number were sons, and three were born in Virginia, while the other six were natives of this county. Mr. Jones was one of the pioneers of Centerville, his farm being situated four miles south of that place, formerly the county seat of this county. He was a successful agriculturist and a man of considerable influence in his community. Politically he was a Democrat and for a score of years he served as a justice of the peace. In his religious faith he was a Baptist, and died, as he had lived, a sincere, trusting Christian. Though nearly a quarter of a century has elapsed since his death, in 1875, he is kindly remembered by many of his old acquaintances and friends of former years.
Source:
Biographical and Genealogical History of Wayne, Fayette, Union and Franklin Counties, Indiana, Volume 1, The Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, 1899