The Lampman Family Tragedy

WILLIAM MILLER > MILO VOLNEY MILLER > ADELIA MILLER m Theodore D Lampman

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Milo Volney Miller was the son of William Miller and Lorain Fountaine He was an early settler in Linn County, Iowa. His eldest daughter from his second wife, Cynthia Sprague, was Adelia L. "Delia" Miller. She was born 22 Jan 1851 in Indiana as the Millers progressed west to Iowa over the course of many years. She married Theodore D. Lampman 06 Nov 1873 in Linn County, Iowa.

Lampman was born 05 Mar 1849 in Wayne County, New York. In the late part of 1853, his father Henry and mother Catherine (Wolcott) Lampman, moved from New York to Branch County, Michigan. Then, they moved on to Bureau County, Illinois, then to Stark County. Back to Michigan they went, then back to Marshall County, Illinois. Then, they came to Iowa. Not satisfied again, they moved back to Marshall County, Illinois, where Catherine died. Old Henry spent his final years living with a daughter in Linn County.

In August 1870, when Theodore came to Linn County, Iowa, he purchased a team and broke prairie for nearly 3 years. He purchased 80 acres in Grant Township which he sold after it was broken and then farmed a rental property. In 1890, he purchased farm on Section 10, Washington Township after having rented it for a year. He improved the property and buildings. Theodore would be involved in local politics, serve two terms as road supervisor, and was a member of the school board for three years. Theodore died in 1919 and his wife, Adelia, died 14 Mar 1928.

The couple had seven children. Two would die in a tragic accident along with the husband of another. On 09 Oct 1958, Alpha Lampman, James Lampman, and brother-in-law Maurice Serverson were killed in an auto-truck accident outside of Dyersville. Maurice was the husband of Cynthia Lampman, who had died in 1956 in Rice, Minnesota.