California Biographies
Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
 
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
With Biographical Sketches
History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry
Illustrated, Complete In One Volume
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914


MRS. ELIZABETH A. LAMB.� The pioneer element of Lake county 
is represented by ]Mrs. Lamb, a Kentuckian by birth and a daughter of 
William Kelsey, who came to Lake county during 1861 and settled in Big 
valley. A second cousin, Sam Kelsey, who settled in this region as early as 
1846, was killed in an attack by the Indians. When only fourteen years of 
age Miss Kelsey became the wife of James Allen and their wedding tour 
included a trip via the Isthmus of Panama to California, where they estab- 
lished a home in the Sacramento valley. A brief sojourn at Winters was 
followed by removal to Lake county and the purchase of a farm in 1859, from 
which time until his death in 1871 Mr. Allen devoted himself assiduously to 
the improvement of the property. October 20, 1873, she became the wife of 
John R. Lamb, who was born in Ray county, Mo., June 30, 1840, and crossed 
the plains in 1861, settling in Lake county, where he has since engaged in 
farming. Mrs. Lamb still owns one hundred and seventy acres in Big valley 
and personally superintends the property, but finds leisure to aid in the work 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Kelseyville and to enjoy the meetings 
of the Ladies' Embroidery Club. Indeed, so skilled is she in fancy work that 
her design of a silk fuchsia won the first prize at the Exposition of Richardson 
Silk Thread held in Chicago in 1906. 

The only child of Mrs. Lamb was born of her first marriage and in young 
girlhood became the wife of John Elliott Shirley in Big valley, Lake county. 
Her death in 1900 was mourned through the entire valley, for her friends were 
as numerous as her acquaintances. Her children exemplify in their lives the 
principles of truth which she inculcated in their hearts and there are numer- 
ous grandchildren now to bring happiness to the older generations. The 
eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Shirley died in 1910, leaving an only son, Clair. 
Susan J., Mrs. S. P. Wilkinson, has four children, Emmett, Horace, Glenn and 
Willie. Elizabeth Ann, Mrs. Henry Ingram, has two daughters, Shirley and 
Irene. Bertha, Mrs. James L. Wilkinson, has three children, Lloyd, Maude 
and Daisy. John Edgar married Zoda Gillari, and they live at Coalinga. 
Mildred J., wife of Charles H. Harris, has three children, Anita, Florence and 
Ruby. Maude, wife of B. J. Pardee, of Coalinga, has two children, Janet and 
Bill J. Paul is unmarried and Myrtle died at the age of two years. It is the 
chief joy of the aging years of Mrs. Lamb to witness the growth and promote 
the physical and moral welfare of her great-grandchildren, and they in turn 
reciprocate her affection with a devotion that is enhanced in intensity through 
the loss of their grandmother. The large family has the respect of associates 
in the community of their residence and is known for reliability, intelligence 
and progressive spirit.