THOMAS LAMBERT, b 13 Feb 1855

LAMBERT, GUENTHER, ESMAY, COTTON, HAYES

Posted By: Donna Moldt Walker (email)
Date: 6/16/2004 at 22:33:52

Thomas Lambert, Mayor of Sabula, and editor and proprietor of the Sabula Gazette, the Miles Reporter, and the Preston Independent, is also occupied as a pork packer, grain buyer, and insurance agent, and, as may be readily guessed, is a man of more than ordinary activity and enterprise. He is a native of Union Township, having been born on the farm of his grandfather, two miles west of Sabula, Feb. 13, 1855. He is the son of Thomas D. and Sarah (Guenther) Lambert, the former born in Somerset County, Me., Sept. 16, 1828, and the latter at Williamsport, Lycoming Co., Pa., April 9, 1837.

The father of our subject, during early manhood, learned the trade of a stone-mason, which he still follows in Sabula. He was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Y. Guenther, at Williamsport, Pa., Nov. 19, 1853, and coming West, arrived at Sabula April 13, 1854. Their family consisted of four sons, of whom three are still living. Thomas, our subject, is the eldest born; Jacob G. is a resident of Sabula, and Charles P., of Davenport, Iowa. Frederick died at the age of fifteen years. The mother, after a useful and well-spent life, passed quietly to rest on the 10th of January, 1884.

The subject of this sketch was reared and educated in Sabula, and learned the trade of a stone-mason, at which he worked six summers in succession. During the winter seasons he occupied himself in a butcher-shop until 1879. In the meantime his tastes and inclinations were mostly in connection with the printing business, and in 1880 he purchased the Sabula Gazette in partnership with Alex. N. Gray, who died April 20, 1881. This made it necessary to purchase his partner's interest from the heirs, and young Lambert, without either money or experience, found himself under a $1,000 debt, which his uncle, James Esmay, made it possible for him to swing by undersigning his note. From that time to the present he has never received a dollar that has not been the result of his own efforts. His paper at the time of purchase had a circulation of 434. It now enjoys a subscription list of 1,200, with a steady increase. In one year from the day of purchase he paid the last cent of indebtedness. Mr. Lambert has discarded the old Washington hand press, and put in a new Fairhaven cylinder press, besides two new job presses, a lever paper-cutter, and a complete new outfit of job and newspaper type, with other necessary office furniture and appliances. He now owns his own office building, which is situated on North Water street, and is one of the most complete and best equipped country offices in the State, and enjoys a first-class advertising and liberal job work patronage. He also owns one of the finest residences in the city, with large and nicely improved grounds.

In December, 1883, Mr. Lambert became a member of the firm of Lambert & Cotton, pork packers and grain merchants, and in this line also is transacting a lucrative business. They ship by both river and rail. As an insurance agent Mr. Lambert controls the largest and most profitable territory of any one man in this line in the vicinity. He was elected City Recorder for four consecutive years, and is now serving his fourth successive term as Mayor of Sabula. In 1882 he was made Secretary of the School Board, and still holds the position. In 1883 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and has held the office continuously since that time.

Politically, he is a Democrat, and takes a lively interest in politics; and while refusing to accept for himself the cares of an office that will take him from his business, is always ready and willing to assist his friends in realizing their ambition in this regard, being an enthusiastic worker for the man or cause he espouses. He is frequently a delegate to State conventions, and was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention held at St. Louis in June, 1888. On the 10th of July, 1888, in company with Mr. A. Brandt, Mr. Lambert purchased the Bellevue Herald, which is a stanch Democratic paper, and is being conducted with marked success. Mr. Lambert is a vigorous writer, and seems to have the natural adaptability to the duties of a modern journalist. His papers are large devoted to local happenings, and subjects which interest the people of his locality. This is the true secret of success in a country newspaper. In business his success has been really phenomenal. He began life on nothing and has worked his way up to his present condition by the exercise of his own persevering energy and resolution.

The marriage of Thomas Lambert and Miss Jennie Cotton took place at the home of the bride in Sabula, Aug. 8, 1883. This lady is the daughter of Charles W. and Elizabeth (Hayes) Cotton. Mr. Cotton was one of the pioneers of this city, and is now deceased, passing away Aug. 16, 1881. Mrs. Lambert was born in Sabula, June 26, 1862, and here was reared to womanhood. She is a lady of more than ordinary intelligence, and is in full sympathy with the business interests of her husband; indeed, he maintains that much of his success is due to her wise counsels in business transactions and her economical management of household affairs.

Mr. Lambert has always maintained a warm interest in the prosperity of those societies whose object is unquestionably the highest good of its members. As a member of the Masonic fraternity he belongs to Resurgam Lodge No. 169, of which he was the W.M. for some years. He is also a Sir Knight of De Molay Consistory No. 1, of Lyons, is a member of Jupiter Lodge K. of P., of Bellevue, and belongs to La Fayette Lodge No. 39, I.O.O.F., at Sabula, likewise Kennedy Camp, M.W.A. He is a man genial and companionable, popular among his fellow-citizens, and esteemed as one of the most useful members of his community. As a business man he is careful and conservative, and in this respect enjoys the confidence of his friends. While he does not affiliate with any church organization, he contributes his mite toward the support of religious institutions, and is a liberal giver where charity is needed.

("Portrait and Biographical Album of Jackson County, Iowa", originally published in 1889, by the Chapman Brothers, of Chicago, Illinois.)