The following biography, and the portraits above, are from History of Lapeer County, Michigan : with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers (1884) by H. R. Page pp. 103-5.

John Merritt Lamb was born August 11, A. D. 1808, in the township of Springfield, Burlington County, New Jersey, of Quaker parents. His grandfather was an Englishman and settled on a tract of land in the State of New Jersey, deeded to him by King George the Fourth prior to the war of the Revolution. Three brothers, John Lamb, Jacob Lamb, and Joseph Lamb, settled on this tract of land, improved farms, raised families, and were loyal subjects to the British crown, which then held dominion over the people of its American provinces.

From Webster's Mill he returned to his family in Detroit, and lived there during the winter of 1835 and 1836. In the spring of 1836 he moved to Rochester, Oakland County, and in the fall of 1836 he came to Lapeer County; selected 160 acres of land, on section 13, in Dryden. Then with family moved in the log house after Christmas in 1836. Mother says: "It was very cold, and I had to wrap my children in the shawls, blankets, and quilts, until the fire was built. After we got warm John danced with joy, and said he was the happiest man living. 'For,' says he, '1 have a home now.' Surrounded by woods on all sides, on every hand, a dense wilderness presented its front. A small clearing was made to the southwest of the house, and in the spring a patch of potatoes planted, and a patch of turnips sown. The Indians came—always hungry—first a few squaws and papooses and were fed, then larger squads would come and would eat so ravenous. They emptied the larder,—"For," says mother, "I did not desire their ill-will, and fed them all the flour I had. John was away to mill, and did not get back when expected, and I had to grind wheat in my coffee-mill to make cakes for my babies. We fed the Indians through fear, and when John come home he went and got Isaac Smith who could talk Indian, and he told them that they should not come any more."

The wolves were very thick, and used to make the nights hideous with their howling noise. Other wild game was plentiful, and several deer was shot from the ladder window, while they were on the turnip patch. An orchard was planted, the trees coming from Ypsilanti, a few at a time. Quite a little land was cleared and planted, when the cold storm of snow and frosts came and killed wheat and corn and froze the leaves on the trees. We were so discouraged," said father, "that I would have moved out of the country had not poverty compelled me to remain." Chopping, logging, clearing, and fencing, were the order of the day. Settlers demanded his services to survey out lines, and in payment would chop or work as compensation. In 1838 he was elected justice of the peace, and remained in the office for the term of four years. At a town meeting when the township was organized, he suggested the name of Dryden, which was adopted by the few settlers.

We may not say, my dearest brother,
We do feel ourselves aggrieved;
But rest in peace, dear sainted mother,
Deserving of the joys received.

Thou hast been a heavenly blessing
Unto all thy children dear,
In faith, and love, and hope caressing.
During all our tender years.

And when to man's estate arriven,
Thy example still hath shone,
Pointing out the way to heaven,
Walking steadfast and alone.

Blessed be my sainted mother,
Peaceful be her rest above,
Bless her too, my dearest brother,
For a parent's truest love.

"Come to me, ye sons and daughters
Of the dying race of man;
Drink ye freely of the waters;
Truly, if ye will ye can."

In his mother's old letters she writes so kind and good, seeming to know the wants of people in a new country—saying—"Thee wilt need a grindstone, to sharpen thy ax. Thy iron crank, thy scythe, and thy sickle are here, and if I can send them to thee I will; Friend A— says he intends to go to Michigan, and I will send them to thee. But my dear children so far away from me. My heart is so full, and the big tears fall on the paper, so that I cannot write." Well he might say, "sainted mother."

In the spring of 1846 he purchased a store at what was then familiarly known as Lamb's Corners, and continued in trade until the year of 1854. Also manufactured potash until 1858. Was also in trade at Dryden, and a member of the firm of J. C. Lamb & Co., Lamb & Bacon, Lamb Bro. & Co, when he retired from business as a merchant, in the year of 1868. He served two terms in the State legislature, three terms in the State senate, serving on prominent committees, viz: Committee on asylum for deaf, dumb, and blind; internal improvements; divisions of towns and counties; salt productions, etc. In 1867 was a member of the State constitutional convention.

In his politics he was quite independent. Was a rabid abolitionist, and in ante-bellum times, advocated universal suffrage. His motto on this subject was, "I would not deny to any human being, any privilege that I would desire myself." He also aided with all his efforts the adoption of the free school system, although a heavy tax-payer,—saying if he owned the whole State it would be to his benefit to have his tenants well educated even though at his expense.

He served in the State senate in 1863 in the "dark days," and was ever loyal to the principles of right. Quoting from a speech: "The country must be one country, the States as one State, if it takes our children and their children to accomplish it. The country must be saved." His religious belief was universal. Although a member of no religious society, lie thought that nature could not be so extravagant as to condemn the larger portion of her children. He wished, and it seemed to be his greatest desire, to simply live by the dear old "rule" that has stood the test of ages. In addressing any person it was "thee and thou," owing to his Quaker training of earlier days. He often remarked that it was man's duty to leave the world better than he found it. We can truthfully say that he fulfilled this declaration by reviewing his labors and efforts in improving. About 400 acres was brought into a state of cultivation, and nearly all fenced with cedar rails; a large portion ditched and underdrained with cobble stone; building twenty-three buildings, houses and barns, of permanent structure. He believed in doing well whatever he undertook. Was over particular that everything should be made permanent. He considered man only a temporary possessor of what he occupies, and that it was man's duty to do well and he would be rewarded by his labors. He wearied not in well doing until the fall of 1871, when looking after a pine interest in Lamotte, Sanilac County, Mich., being there at the time the great fires swept over that portion of the State in the month of October so destructfully, in endeavoring to save some buildings that were in danger of being consumed by the flames, he over exerted, and taking cold it settled on the lungs, and he died of congestion November 8, 1871, leaving an invalid wife and nine children grown to manhood and womanhood, many friends, neighbors and acquaintances to mourn his departure to the better land.

Elizabeth D., wife of John M. Lamb, died October 6, 1882. She was born in Springfield, Burlington County, N. J., in 1811, and was married to John M. Lamb in 1831, and in 1835, with her husband and family, moved to Michigan, landing at Detroit. In 1836 the family, consisting of Mr. and Mrs. Lamb and three small children, moved into the "old log house" half a mile east of the now village of Dryden—then a wilderness with a winding woods road leading to the southeast, known as the "messenger road." Here the many cares pertaining to the pioneer household were calmly met and expeditiously overcome. A farm was hewn out of the dense forest and made to yield an abundance, in which the industrious hands of a mother nobly assisted. During her residence in this township she has seen the forests disappear and hundreds of happy homes brought forth that now dot our beautiful country.

The winding trails have disappeared, save here and there they may be traced through groves of timber, and the broad highways have taken their place. The pioneer's log house has been replaced by others more commodious, ornamental and convenient. Villages have sprung up and many of them have grown into cities; railroads have traversed our country and spanned the continent; her life was lived in a progressive age. Wars have visited our country, slaves have been made freemen, and on several occasions the "runaway" was cared for and comforted by the hands that are now folded in rest.

Eleven children called her mother—five sons and six daughters, all grown to woman and manhood. Three daughters preceded her into the great beyond. Left a widow November 8, 1871, she lived in her home well and cheerful until November 9, 1876, when she was attacked with paralysis for eleven months. She kept around her house until the second stroke reduced her to a helpless condition on October 6, 1877. For five years she lingered, until the evening of October 6, 1882, when she passed quietly to the sleep that brings rest to the wearied form. She was taken to her last resting place October 8, followed by a large concourse of friends and relatives. The funeral was held at the home, and Rev. Mr. Steele made a few very appropriate remarks. At close of services, the lines which were composed by her husband upon receiving the news of his mother's death, over forty years ago, were sung.

The children who died were as follows: Sarah died in 1850; Caroline in 1866 and Mary in 1874. There are eight living, four of whom, Joseph L., William H. H., Lydia L. and Clayton J. are in the West; J. Merritt and G. Franklin in Dryden; Mrs. D. C. Bacon, of the Twin Elm House, in this village, and Mrs. Henry Bartlett, of this town, are the eldest of the family, and are ladies of rare merit, both of whom are active workers in the Ladies' Literary Society of the village. Mrs. Bacon is a woman of rare literary taste, and writes more or less for the public journals of the day.

The graves of John M. LAMB, his wife, and several children, can be seen on Find A Grave.