Thomas Alfred Ambler 1863-1927

AMBLER, BALLOU, RICHARDS

Posted By: Geo Clinton (email)
Date: 4/2/2016 at 16:07:57

December 1, 1927 - Storm Lake Pilot Tribune - Rev. T.A. Ambler, beloved and respected minister, expired suddenly at the home of his son, Ray Ambler, on College avenue, Storm Lake, shortly before noon Tuesday.

Dr. and Mrs. Ambler had driven to Storm Lake from Early, where he has been pastor of the Presbyterian church for the past two years or more, and had stopped at the home of their daughter. Mrs. Edgar Ballou. Dr. Ambler left Mrs. Ambler there with the intention of driving to the business section. He had complained of not feeling well and it is thought that after he had entered the car he decided to drive to the Ray Ambler home and rest for a short time.

Mrs. Ambler was at home alone when Dr. Ambler arrived at the house. As he entered he told her he was not feeling well and started for a couch. But before he could reach it, he was stricken and fell to the floor, dying instantly. Mrs. Ambler summoned Chester N. Ambler, foreman at The Pilot-Tribune, who started for his father's bedside, and Mrs. Ballou, who also hastened to the scene with her mother. They arrived too late. Dr. Ambler's earthly labors were over.

Dr. Ambler's death at the age of 63 came as a tremendous shock, not only to the relatives but to countless friends. He had for years been in the Presbyterian ministry, occupying pulpits in Iowa at Hawarden, Odebolt, Sulphur Springs, Storm Lake, and finally at Early.

While in Storm Lake he promoted the building of the handsome Lakeside church, a distinct monument to his enthusiasm and energy. Dr. Ambler was always in demand for outside duties in addition to his pastoral responsibilities in the pulpit. Particularly was he in demand for preaching funerals. These averaged at least one a week for years. His words of comfort to the distressed were appreciated and resulted in so many and frequent calls that three years ago Dr. O'Donoghue told him he would have to cease for his health would not stand it.

He had that month preached 29 funeral sermons, or practically one a day. But feeling that he was called to a definite service, Dr. Ambler did not let up until a few weeks ago when he was compelled to refuse funeral sermons outside his own immediate congregation.

Dr. Ambler was extremely popular, always genial, friendly and courteous. He had practically quit the ministry but when he found that Early had a vacant pulpit, he could not resist the call, knowing that he would be near his children.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 this afternoon at Lakeside church. It was one of the largest funerals ever held in Storm Lake, attesting the high esteem in which the deceased minister was held. His congregation at Early attended in a body.

Members of Jewel Lodge A.F. & .A.M. to which deceased belonged, went in a body to the Edgar Ballou home where the body has lain in state and escorted the funeral procession to the church. After the service the Masons went in a body to the cemetery but the Masonic burial serviced was not used. Many ministers from churches in northeast Iowa attended the funeral. Rev. J.J. DePree, pastor of the Presbyterian church at LeMars preached the funeral sermon. Justice F.F. Favill of the Iowa Supreme court, and intimate friend of Dr. Ambler, talked impressively. Rev H.C. Humke, pastor of Lakeside church prayer. Burial was in the Storm Lake cemetery.

Thomas Alfred Ambler, son of Thomas and Mary Ambler, oldest son of a family of six children was born at Barrie, Ontario, Canada on the 12th day of December 1863 and died at Storm lake, Iowa on the 20th day of November 1927 at 11 o'clock a.m.

His early years were spent on the farm. After completing his primary education, he entered Barrie College. Upon his graduation from this institution he came to the United States where he entered the ministry. His early days in the ministry were spent in the east. He later went to Michigan, where at Michibamme, he met Margaret Richards to whom he was wedded on July 18, 1886.

To this union four children were born, namely: Thomas H, Chester N, Grace Margaret (Mrs L.E. Ballou Jr) and Herbert Donald. All the children live in Storm Lake with the exception of Donald, who is teaching in the English department at the University of Minnesota. Besides his wife and mother of his children, there are 8 grandchildren, two brothers, and one sister living at Barrie and one sister living in Pennsylvania.

After leaving Michigan Ambler moved to Minnesota and was ordained as a Presbyterian minister at Ely April 26, 1831. He has been preaching in Iowa for the last 25 years his late pastorates having been Hawarden, Storm Lake, Odebolt, and Early. At the time of his death he was minister at Early.