Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 90

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages:

USA > Pennsylvania > Venango County > Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1) > Part 90

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The arms of the Lamberton family are : Argent, three escallop shells, sable. Crest : A stag's head at gaze. St. Andrew's cross be- tween the attires. Motto: l'olonte de Dieu. As the arms would indicate, the early members of the family probably took part in the Cru- sades.

The second of the three brothers above men- tioned was James Lamberton, who had a son Robert, born about 1739, and these were the ancestors of the line in which we are inter- ested. William Lamberton, son of Robert, was born in 1773 and died March 2, 1849, his wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Gilfillan. dying the same year, aged sixty-three. They had

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nine children, as follows: Robert, mentioned below; Jane, who married Jared Irwin and (second ) Dr. Bushnell, of Ohio; John, who lived and died in Ireland; James Gilfillan, who came to this country and became a prominent citizen of Franklin, Pa., where he died Dec. 25, 1903; William, who also settled in Venango county, Pa., and whose wife was Sarah Smul- len : Ann, who became the wife of James Shan- non and lived in Franklin, Pa .; Esther, who married John Mitchell and resided in Phila- delphia, Pa .; Eliza, who married William Cun- ningham, and also lived in Philadelphia; and Martha, who married Samuel Cochran.

ROBERT LAMBERTON, son of William and Elizabeth (Gilfillan) Lamberton, spent his early life on the home farm and enjoyed aver- age advantages for the times and circum- stances. His opportunities for obtaining an education were as good as the locality afforded, and his practical training was acquired assist- ing his father with the work of tilling the soil. When he reached his majority and started out on his own account he came to the United States, sailing to Quebec, and proceeding thence by boat, stage and on foot to Venango county, Pa., where he arrived at the home of his uncle, John Lamberton, in Plum township, July 10, 1830. He farmed that season and then went to Franklin to find employment, becoming engaged as a laborer and later as a stonecutter on the Erie canal. Then he worked for a year at the Sam Hays forge, the most irksome and laborious period of his whole life, and also the most unprofitable. for he lost his wages by the insolvency of his employer. After that he be- gan to clerk for a Mr. Sage, in a store at the north end of the upper French creek bridge. At that time Franklin was a small village of about five hundred population, located on what was the site of Fort Machault in the period of the French possession and of the English Fort Venango, and later of the United States works. But apart from the fact that it was the seat of justice of Venango county it had no impor- tance. and there was no promise of the develop- ment of natural riches which has since at- tracted enterprise and wealth to this region. The little stone courthouse and jail on the com- mon was the principal building; there was not even a church in the town. From such primi- tive conditions Mr. Lamberton lived to witness the growth of a modern city, and few hands were as potent as his in shaping its future. Thrifty and frugal, he immediately began to save out of his earnings, and within a couple of years after reaching Franklin had acquired enough capital to start a small store, in part-

nership with a Mr. Lindsay, patronized at first chiefly by those employed on the canal. With this humble beginning he founded what was for many years the largest store at Franklin, a general establishment typical of the times, with a stock which included everything in de- mand in the homes and on the farms of the region. and where the local inhabitants brought the productions of their own labor for trade. For some years, at the outset of his business career, this store was Mr. Lamberton's princi- pal interest, and he continued his connection with it for twenty-eight years, until he turned it over to his son, W. J. Lamberton. The original store, which stood on the west side of Thirteenth street, on what afterward was the site of the Lamberton homestead, was de- stroyed by fire one night, with all the stock. But Mr. Lamberton, undismayed, saved enough to buy a lot on the southeast corner of Otter and Thirteenth streets (now occupied by the Lamberton block, a three-story brick building owned by his son, Harry Lamberton), and in 1835 started the mercantile business there on a small scale. The trade grew so rapidly that he removed in 1841 across the street to the corner rooms of the "National Hotel" building, which he erected in 1840-41, and which is now occupied by store rooms. He put up a number of other buildings in the town in the early days, with his own capital building enough dwelling houses and brick blocks to make a goodly sized village of them- selves.

Meantime, as his means accrued, he was not indifferent to the other opportunities which the expanding life of the town and county pre- sented. He established and carried on for some years branch stores at Cooperstown and Utica (also Dempseytown). By 1840 a num- ber of iron furnaces had been set up in this section, and a rolling mill and nail factory were established in Franklin, in which Mr. Lamber- ton became interested in 1845, having these and a gristmill as well at the millsite in the Third ward, giving much of his time and atten- tion to the successful operation of same in 1850-1856. In connection therewith he built the upper French creek dam, during the con- struction of which he so injured his health by over-exposure in the water and in all kinds of weather that he suffered to the end of his life as a result. About that time he also erected flour and lumber mills which were carried on successfully for several years, and he showed public spirit as well as business en- terprise in his ventures. being identified with most of the projects designed to benefit the

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town. Under his skillful management they also brought profit to the investors who had the courage to support them. He labored zeal- ously to secure good roads and bridges for the neighborhood, acting as bridge manager for over thirty years, and never failed to assist in such improvements financially even when his personal services were not enlisted.

When the development of the oil business brought hitherto undreamed of wealth into the county, with the accompanying demand for financial institutions and suitable facilities for its negotiation, Mr. Lamberton opened his first bank, in 1860, doing business as R. Lamberton, Banker. Later it became the Lamberton Sav- ings Bank, in March, 1873. During the early days of the oil excitement some of the citizens of the county found it necessary to have a safe depositary for their money, and Mr. Lamber- ton owning a large safe they would bring it in to him, and he would give them credit for it on his store books. That was in 1859. With his characteristic shrewdness he saw that the com- munity needed a bank, and when in 1860 he erected the old Lamberton homestead, on the present site of the Y. M. C. A. building, he built a banking room in the corner where he conducted a regular banking business under the name of R. Lamberton, Banker. This was the first bank in Venango county. Founded to meet the necessities of the period. it became one of the permanent establishments of the place, and from that time to the present the name of Lamberton has been associated with the most reputable financial operations in this part of Pennsylvania. The original bank organization was maintained until March, 1873. and during that time Mr. Lamberton operated the business with his own capital : after the bank had passed into other hands besides his own he remarked that there was never an hour in its history, while under his administration. that he could not have honored every call upon its capital from his private funds. During this period he also started a banking business at Oil City. Venango county, in company with his son-in-law. Calvin W. Gilfillan, and the out- growth of their institution, the Lamberton National Bank, is now the strongest bank in that city, its president being his son Robert G. Lamberton, and the cashier a nephew, Charles M. Lamberton. Upon Robert Lamberton's re- tirement from the bank in Franklin. because of ill health. he sold out to Mr. Gilfillan, R. L. Cochran and his son R. G. Lamberton.

With all his material interests. Mr. Lamber- ton never allowed his natural breadth of mind to become narrowed to their prosperity alone.

Everything that bound him to his fellow men was a sacred responsibility which he regarded as seriously as he took his private affairs. He served in a number of public positions, for several terms as a member of the council, for one term as a school director, and as one of the trustees of the old Franklin Academy under the old law. In 1862 he was elected associate judge and served for five years, part of the time with Isaac G. Gordon and later with John Trunkey, both of whom were afterward dis- tinguished members of the State Supreme court. Meanwhile the Civil war was calling on all patriotic citizens for aid in preserving the Union, and though beyond the age of active service he did more than his share of home duties to show his allegiance to the govern- ment. His time and means were always given liberally in response to every call. He aided in fitting out volunteers for the army. and gave generous support to the Christian Commission and other organizations with similar purposes. helping the cause as truly as if he had gone to the front. Politically he was a Democrat, and firm in his adherence to the principles of the party, which he supported consistently. But in this, as in all things, he was tolerant of the opinions of others and respected their rights fully.

Mr. Lamberton was for many years one of the most prominent lay members of the Pres- byterian Church .in this part of Pennsylvania. He early joined the church at Franklin, with which he was connected for about fifty years, and not only took a sincere interest in its spiritual welfare but also helped freely to keep its material affairs in prosperous condition, so as not to hamper the efforts of the pastor and other workers by financial embarrassments. As trustee for many years he employed his best skill in guiding the business concerns of the church to the best advantage, with results that were highly gratifying to the congregation. But he was no less esteemed as one of the truest friends and cooperators in spiritual en- terprises, and he was a ruling elder for many years. He was elected to the latter position in 1862, and accepted reluctantly, but having as- sumed the duties of the office he performed them with the highest regard for their impor- tance, and not only attended the meetings of the session regularly but also went frequently to the presbytery and general assembly, where his opinion and advice were sought and valued as at home. For more than forty years he was a Sunday school worker. serving as teacher and superintendent. and after his retirement from the latter office was recalled, continuing

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the work until he felt he could serve no longer. But he subsequently attended as a member of the pastor's Bible class, giving up his connec- tion with the Sunday school finally only be- . cause of the infirmities of age. His death occurred Aug. 7, 1885, at the age of seventy- six years, at his home on Thirteenth street, Franklin. He is buried in the Franklin cemetery.

On April 6, 1837, Mr. Lamberton married Margaret Seaton, of Franklin, a native of Westmoreland county, Pa., daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Mavis) Seaton and great-granddaughter of James and Martha Seaton, who lived at Dranity, in County Tyrone, Ireland. Of their large family, George Seaton, who married Nancy Amberson, came to America about 1778 and settled in the Ligonier valley, near Greensburg, Pa. His brothers Thomas and Alexander also came to this country about that time, and all served during the Revolution in a company attached to LaFayette's division, George as captain, Thomas as lieutenant and Alexander as first sergeant. After the war George Seaton settled in Westmoreland county, where he became a prosperous citizen. His family consisted of twelve children, viz .: John. William, Robert, Elizabeth, Thomas (father of Mrs. Robert Lamberton), Jackson, George, Amberson, Jane, Mary. Nancy and Martha.

To Mr. and Mrs. Lamberton were born nine children, namely : William John, born Jan. 9, 1838, married April 29, 1869, Sarah L. Ray- mond; Elizabeth A., born Sept. 19, 1839, mar- ried Nov. 30, 1858, Hon. Calvin W. Gilfillan ; Lewis Thomas, born May 2, 1841, married Oct. 7. 1862, Martha A. Mitchell : Samuel Hark- ness, born Dec. 21. 1844, married Sept. 12, 1868, Ann Eliza Smith: Robert Gilfillan is mentioned below : Marion, born Sept. 26, 1850, died in infancy : Margaret Jane, born June 10, 1852, married Oct. 6, 1876, George P. Hukill : Edwin Houston, born Oct. 21, 1854. married Sept. 16. 1885, Annie Carrier Kirker : Harry. born Feb. 13, 1858, who married Virginia E. Hughes, has been prominently associated with the Lamberton banking interests.

ROBERT GILFILLAN LAMBERTON was born Feb. 14, 1848, in Franklin. Pa .. where he still resides. After receiving a preliminary training in the local schools he entered Westminster College, at New Wilmington, Pa., where he studied for four years, later attending Mon- mouth College, in Illinois, from which institu- tion he was graduated in 1868. On his return to Pennsylvania he took up the study of law

with Hon. C. W. Gilfillan, was admitted to the bar of Venango county Sept. 12, 1870, and en- gaged in legal practice until 1884, during a year or more in partnership with his brother, Edwin H. Lamberton. In September, 1884, he practi- cally relinquished his professional work in order to devote himself to the demands of the Lamberton Bank in Oil City, becoming its president. He had an advantageous oppor- tunity to purchase the banking house and busi- ness of Reynolds, Lamberton & Co., changing the name to the Lamberton Bank, and he has been the executive head of the institution from that time to the present. S. H. Lamberton is vice president, Charles M. Lamberton cashier. and R. G., S. H., C. M., Chess and Harry Lamberton. directors. With a capital of $100,000, this bank according to the report made Sept. 17, 1917, has a surplus of over $400,000, circulation of $100,000 and deposits of $3,390,193.74 (the total resources now- 1918-are over four million), and a business record which places it among the "Roll of Honor" banks-those "possessing surplus and profits in excess of capital, thus giving tangible evidence of strength and security." Less than ten per cent. of the national banks in the United States are so listed. In points of sur- plus and undivided profits to capital in the year 1915 the Lamberton National Bank of Oil City was first in the city and county, twenty-seventh in the State, and fifty-sixth in the United States. The Lamberton National Bank is a depository for State, United States and United States Postal funds. It was reorganized in 1900 under the present title, the Lamberton National Bank of Oil City.

Mr. Lamberton is also vice president of the Lamberton National Bank of Franklin, the old- est bank in Venango county, and the largest National bank in the city of Franklin. It had its inception before the Civil war in the crude banking business done by Hon. Robert Lam- berton in connection with his general merchan- dising business. in the building known as the "National Hotel." on the corner of Thirteenth and Otter streets, as above related. This bank was conducted until March, 1873, when owing to Mr. Lamberton's failing health he retired, and his interests were purchased by his son, R. G. Lamberton, C. W. Gilfillan and R. L. Cochran. the latter formerly cashier of the First National Bank of Franklin. These gen- tlemen organized The Lamberton Savings Bank, Mr. C. W. Gilfillan being made presi- dent and Mr. R. L. Cochran cashier. They conducted this bank until 1883, when W. J.

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Lamberton and Harry Lamberton purchased the interest of R. L. Cochran and Harry Lam- berton became the cashier.

About 1887 the owners of the bank found that it had outgrown its facilities, and R. G. Lamberton built what was then considered the finest banking room in the county. The bank occupied this new building in the fall of that year. This institution continued as The Lam- berton Savings Bank until October, 1899, when the owners, finding the national banking laws attractive, organized The Lamberton National Bank of Franklin, with a capital of $100,000. C. W. Gilfillan was elected president, Harry Lamberton vice president, and W. L. Gilfillan cashier. At the death of C. W. Gilfillan, in 1901, Harry Lamberton was elected president and R. G. Lamberton vice president. In Au- gust. 1903, W. L. Gilfillan retired as cashier to accept the position of vice president of The Austin National Bank of Austin, Texas, and Chess Lamberton, who had been assistant cash- ier, was made cashier. The business of this in- stitution grew to such an extent that in 1910 it purchased its present site on the corner of Thirteenth and Liberty streets, and in July, 1912, moved into its present quarters, which are most modern and elaborate in every detail and considered the finest bank building in northwestern Pennsylvania.

The bank is really a monument to the name of Lamberton, which has been synonymous with stability and conservatism in Venango county for more than half a century. From the inception of this institution until the pres- ent time wisdom has always characterized its policies, and during the fifty-eight years of its existence it has performed its full duty toward its customers, the public, and, in a marked degree, toward the progress of Venango county and its material interests. It is eminently a safe, reliable banking house, and throughout its long history has never been known to em- bark in any questionable enterprise or deviated from the true principles that should govern every institution of this kind. The present officers of the bank are : President, Harry Lam- berton: vice president. R. G. Lamberton ; cashier, Chess Lamberton; assistant cashier. George J. Lamberton. These, with L. T. Lam- berton. a retired merchant, compose the board of directors. This bank's present capital, sur- plus and undivided profits are $363,489. and its present total resources are over $2,678,183. showing a gain since July, 1912, when it moved into its new building. of $96,489 in capital, sur- plus and undivided profits, and of $778.183 in total resources.

In addition to his banking interests, Mr. Lamberton is connected with the Petroleum Telephone Company, of which he is a director. Like his father, he has been a good citizen, and he has been a valued member of the city council in Franklin, officially and unofficially doing much to further the best interests of the municipality. His business hours have been largely devoted to financial concerns, and if he has a hobby it may be said to be scientific agriculture, in which he interested himself seri- ously for a number of years, conducting a large farm between Franklin and Oil City, where he spent much of his leisure experimenting with results valuable not only to himself but to this entire section. The farm was sold a few years ago to Hon. Joseph C. Sibley. Mr. Lamberton now passes most of his time at the beautiful home which he built along French creek, in Sugarcreek township, at what is known as Argeon Hill, from which location there is a charming view of the surrounding country. His Franklin residence is at No. 1321 Otter street. For a number of years he was very prominent in the Knights and Ladies of Honor, holding the high position of supreme protector of the United States.

On Dec. 30, 1873, Mr. Lamberton married Luella J. Chess, who died Nov. 10, 1877, the mother of two children : Bertha C., born March 8, 1875, married Charles Mann Hamilton, of New York, at one time member of the New York State Senate and now serving his third term in Congress, representing the Chautauqua (N. Y.) District ; Chess, born Nov. 1, 1877, is cashier of the Lamberton National Bank (he is mentioned elsewhere in this work ). On Oct. 21, 1880, Mr. Lamberton married (second) Jessie King Judson, who was born Sept. 21. 1852. daughter of Dr. William and Clarissa (King) Judson, of Waterford, Pa. There were also two children by this union : George J., born Jan. 9. 1882, assistant cashier of the Lamberton National Bank of Franklin, mar- ried Oct. 27, 1909, Helen E. Elvin; Robert, born May 4, 1886, a resident of Franklin, now engaged in gas and oil production (he is men- tioned elsewhere). married Sept. 29, 1909. Mvra Morehead Plumer, and they have three children. Robert G. (born Feb. 3, 1912). Jessie M. (born Jan. 1, 1914) and Charles P. (born Oct. 31, 1917).

CHESS LAMBERTON, cashier of the Lamberton National Bank of Franklin, is the eldest son of Robert G. Lamberton and was born at Franklin Nov. 1, 1877. Mr. Lamber- ton was reared at his birthplace and obtained

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his early education in the public schools of the city. He pursued his higher studies at the Kiskiminetas Springs School, Saltsburg, Pa., and later attended Grove City College for two years, following with a course in the Eastman business college at Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Upon his graduation from the latter he came back to Franklin and entered the Lamberton National Bank as messenger, filling all the positions from that grade upward in regular order until he became assistant cashier. Since August, 1903. he has been cashier of the bank, and he is further associated with banking operations in this section of Pennsylvania as president and director of the First National Bank of Coch- ranton, Crawford county, and director of the Lamberton National Bank of Oil City. He is secretary and treasurer and one of the directors of the Dick Sand Company of Franklin, who operate a hundred thousand dollar plant near Polk, Pa. Mr. Lamberton is one of the most prominent business men in Franklin, and has been a strong force in directing local interests along the lines of modern progress. He served two years as president of the Franklin Board of Trade, and in that and every other capacity has done his utmost to promote desirable con- ditions in the city, whether of business or social order. He is a leading member of the most popular social organizations of the city and county, belonging to the Franklin Club, Wash- ington Club, Venango Club, Wanango Club of Oil City and the B. P. O. Elks, as well as the Masonic fraternity. In the latter connection he is affiliated with Myrtle Lodge, No. 316, F. & A. M., of Franklin, Pittsburgh Consistory. thirty-second degree, and Zem Zem Temple, Mystic Shrine, at Erie, Pa. Mr. Lamberton is unmarried.

ROBERT LAMBERTON, youngest son of Robert G. Lamberton, was born at Franklin. Pa., May 4, 1886. Record of his parents and early ancestors will be found elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Lamberton received his preparatory education in the public schools of his native city, and subsequently took a four years' course at the Culver Military Academy, Culver, Ind. Returning home to take up business life, he was employed for eighteen months as a clerk in the Lamberton National Bank of Oil City, and then became a student in the Eastman business college at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., from which institution he was graduated in April, 1908, after special work along the lines he considered most essential to fit himself for commercial transactions. When he came back

to Franklin he engaged in the oil and gas in- dustry, operating and developing properties in Venango and Clarion counties, where he holds extensive leases. At various times he has been engaged in the Lamberton National Bank of Franklin, and he became Assistant Cashier of this banking institution July 1, 1918. He is efficient and competent in business, progressive in thought and action, and a leader in social as well as business circles, prominent in the membership of the Franklin Club ; the Venango Club of Oil City ; B. P. O. Elks ; Myrtle Lodge, No. 316, F. & A. M .; Venango Chapter, No. 211, R. A. M .; Keystone Council, No. 42, R. & S. M .; Franklin Commandery, No. 44, K. T. (all these Masonic bodies are of Frank- lin) ; and Zem Zem Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Erie, Pennsylvania.

On Sept. 29, 1909, Mr. Lamberton married Myra Morehead Plumer, daughter of Ralph C. and Margaret (Dieringer) Plumer, and they have three children, Robert G .. Jessie Mar- garet and Charles Plumer.

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Venango County, Pennsylvania: Her Pioneers and People (Volume 1), Part 90

Author: Babcock, Charles A. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages:

Author: Babcock, Charles A.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: