Giles H. Lamb, of Yates Center, Kan., a lawyer of pronounced ability and a leader at the Woodson county bar, has attained wide prominence, both as a legal advocate and as an ardent worker in the Republican political affairs of the state. Mr. Lamb is a native of Indiana, born in Fountain county, that state, Feb. 22, 1858. His father was William Lamb and his mother was a Miss Lucinda Dailey; the former was born near Richmond, Ind., and the latter was a native of Tennessee. William Lamb was a farmer by occupation. He served the Union during the Civil war as a member of Company D, Eighty-sixth Indiana infantry, and was killed at the battle of Stone's River, when only twenty-seven years of age. Barnabas Lamb, grandfather of Giles H., was a native of North Carolina and was one of a large number of Friends who, being hostile to slavery, left their native state and came north, many of them settling in Wayne county, Indiana, the birthplace of William Lamb.

Giles H. Lamb, whom the great struggle of 1861 deprived of a father's care, was thrown practically upon his own resources at the age of ten years. Working his own way he acquired a common school education in Warren county, Indiana, and throughout the remainder of his career the success he has attained is the result of his ambition and unaided efforts. He taught school fourteen years, the latter part of that period in Kansas, to which state he removed in 1883. He became principal of the high school at Toronto, Kan., where, in 1887, he took up the study of law and was admitted to the Woodson county bar in 1889. With the same pluck and undaunted courage with which he had thus far made his way in life, he began the practice of his profession at Toronto and was successful from the start. In 1892 he was elected county attorney of Woodson county and was reëlected to that office, serving in all four years. At the close of his second term he formed a law partnership with W. E. Hogueland, with whom he has since been associated in practice. This is one of the strong and successful legal firms of Southeastern Kansas, and it has a large representative and lucrative clientage, both in Woodson county and in the surrounding territory. Mr. Lamb is admitted to practice in all the state and Federal courts and stands high in the legal talent of that part of the state. He is a loyal Republican and occupies a prominent place in the councils of his party. In 1896 he was elected to the state senate and was the only Republican elected to that office from the southern part of the state that year. He has also served twice as a presidential elector, first in 1900 and again in 1908. He devotes all of his attention to his law practice and to the management of his property interests, for he has business ability as well as legal skill, and has succeeded along financial lines as well as in a professional way. His career is but another demonstration that merit always wins recognition eventually and that perseverance and industry seldom fail of a due reward.

On March 6, 1881, Mr. Lamb was united in marriage to Miss Bessie S. Shipp. She is a daughter of J. M. Shipp, a native of Ohio who removed to Kansas and died in this state. She is a well educated, cultured lady and has been a true companion and helper in all of Mr. Lamb's struggles in life. She takes a deep interest in all matters that pertain to the betterment of home, church and society. Mr. and Mrs. Lamb have seven children: Arnott R. is a graduate of the University of Kansas and is a practicing attorney and judge of the city court at Coffeyville, Kan.; Maude is the wife of Dr. C. W. McLaughlin of Kansas City, Kan.; Grace is a graduate of Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kan., and of Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, and is supervisor of music in the public schools of Caney, Kan.; Errett E. graduated in the Yates Center High School with the class of 1911 and will prepare for the profession of medicine; Hester is a sophomore in the Yates Center High School; and Giles H., Jr., and Paul A. are students in the grades. Mr. Lamb and his family are members of the Christian church. Though never claiming the title of regular pastor he often fills the pulpit for churches needing his services and has for many years been an elder in the congregation at Yates Center. Fraternally he is a Mason and a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and a number of other lodges. He has held office in both the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic order and is a member of the jurisprudence committee of the Grand Masonic Lodge of Kansas. In the Ancient Order of United Workmen he has been grand master workman of the Grand Lodge of Kansas two terms and is now supreme president of the Select Knights and Ladies.