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Jacob Lambert was born Jul 13, 1804 in Augusta County, Virginia and died Nov 22, 1894 at Newton, Jasper County, Iowa at the age of 90.
Jacob had four wives:
1 Mary Callahan was born on 13 September 1806, as recorded in an old Lambert Bible, likely in Virginia or New York. The 1880 U. S. census of one of her sons states that she was born in Virginia, the 1880 U. S. census of her second son states that she was born in New York, and the 1880 U. S. census...
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Jacob Lambert was born Jul 13, 1804 in Augusta County, Virginia and died Nov 22, 1894 at Newton, Jasper County, Iowa at the age of 90.
Jacob had four wives:
1 Mary Callahan was born on 13 September 1806, as recorded in an old Lambert Bible, likely in Virginia or New York. The 1880 U. S. census of one of her sons states that she was born in Virginia, the 1880 U. S. census of her second son states that she was born in New York, and the 1880 U. S. census of her third son states that she was born in Ohio. As there is no evidence in the census records that her family was in Ohio before 1820, that leaves New York and Virginia as one of her possible states of nativity. Her father most likely was Thomas Callahan, the only Callahan in the Licking County, Ohio censuses for 1820, 1830, and 1840 of the right age to be her father. The fact that she named her first child Thomas Callahan2 Lambert lends credence to this theory. (Her second child was named Francis,2 likely after Jacob's father.) Listed as Mary Callihan, she married Jacob Lambert on 29 December 1825 in Licking County. Jacob married for the second time on 13 October 1834, suggesting that Mary perhaps died before that date. Deaths were not recorded in Licking County, Ohio before 1875 or in Knox County before 1867. Additionally, the Licking County courthouse burned in 1874, and "all records except for a few marriages were destroyed."
2 Mercy Bartlett and Jacob Lambert married on 16 October 1834 in the neighboring county to the north, Knox County, Ohio by a justice of the peace. Mercy was the daughter of Samuel Kettle and Mercy Haydon, and the widow of David Bartlett. She appeared with him in the 1850, 1860, and 1870 censuses for Licking County, age 50, 60, and 70 respectively, which cited her birth c 1800 in Virginia (1850, 1860) or Vermont (1870). Because her eldest son with Jacob was given the middle name of Kettle, and a Kettle family of the right age lived nearby, perhaps her maiden name was Kettle, and her first husband was a Bartlett. Jacob's third marriage was to Rachel Hopkins before the 1880 census, suggesting that Mercy perhaps died before the taking of that census.
3 Rachel Hopkins and Jacob Lambert married sometime after the 1870 census and before the 1880 census, when she appears as his wife. No marriage record exists in Licking County. She was born 18 September 1812 in Ontario, New York, the daughter of Matthew Hopkins and Lucy Wright. She was listed as age 66 in the 1880 census, born in New York, both parents born in New York. Her obituary stated that she died 03 December 1883 of liver trouble, aged 71 years, 2 months, and 15 days, in Knox County, Ohio. She was too old to have children by Jacob, and none by her were listed in his obituary.
4 Phildelia (Schoonover) Cunningham married her second husband Jacob
Lambert on 14 November 1885. She was born 29 May 1815 or 20 May 1814 in Genessee County, New York and died 06 December 1899 in Newton, Jasper County, Iowa. The comments section of her burial record stated that she was the "daughter of J. and Esther (Handy) Schoonover; first husband was Levi A. Cunningham; 2nd husband his 4th wife of Jacob Lambert. She was too old to have children by Jacob, and none by her were listed in his obituary. She was buried in the Union Cemetery in section 3, lot 80, block 2 on Saturday, Dec 9, 1899. Union Cemetery is located at 1601 West 4th Street North, in Newton, Jasper County, Iowa.
The first census record for Jacob was the one taken for his father's family in 1810 in Augusta County, Virginia, including him as one of three free white males under 10, when he was six years of age.
According to Jacob's obituary in 1894, he had been a member of the Methodist Church for 80 years, thus establishing his religious upbringing from at least 1814, at age 10 in Virginia.
Jacob's parents moved from hilly Virginia to Ohio, which was becoming populated with settlers mainly from the middle states. They moved there before the Erie Canal or railroads were constructed in the state, and settled where the land is undulating plains, with beds of clay, limestone, and sand. At the time, the land was covered by a dense forest, and contained many species of wild animals. Farmers of the period likely cleared and plowed the land with oxen, planted wheat or corn, and built a log home.
The second census record for Jacob was the one taken for his father's family in 1820, in Washington Township, Licking County, Ohio, including him as one of two free white males between sixteen and eighteen, when he was sixteen years of age. Even at that early date, there were 11,861 residents listed there. By 1840, that number had almost tripled, to 35,096.
Jacob Lambert and Mary Callahan's marriage record in Licking County, Ohio stated, "I hereby certify that on the 29th day of December A. D. 1825, the Marriage of Jacob Lambert and Mary Callihan was solemnized by me in due form of law. Given under my hand this 4th day of January A. D. 1826, Nathan Steward, J. P." They chose to reside in neighboring Knox County, to the north, and were there on 04 December 1826 when their first son Thomas Callahan Lambert was born, and the family was listed in Pike Township, Knox County in the 1830 census. Thomas, along with his younger brother Francis William Lambert, born 21 or 23 December 1829 were the only two children (both males under five) living with the family in 1830.
Jacob Lambert and Mercy Bartlett's record of their marriage read as follows: "The state of Ohio Knox County, I hereby certify that on the 16th day of October A. D. 1834 Mr. Jacob Lambert and Miss Marcy Bartlett were legally joined in marriage by me a justice of the peace. Given under my hand this 28th day of November A. D. 1834. Francis Popham, J. P."
Jacob Lambert's name next appears in public records in his father Francis' will, dated 09 July 1837, filed in Knox County, Ohio. Francis lists his 15 children by name, "to share and share alike," excepting Jacob as getting "ten dollars only."
Sometime between 1830 and 1840, the family moved to Bennington Township, Licking County, Ohio where the 1840 census for that location lists the Jacob Lambert family with one male 10-15 [Thomas Callahan, age 13], three males 5 and under 10 [Francis William, age 10, Henry E., 9, plus William Bartlett, age about 4, brought to the marriage by Mercy Bartlett]. Also listed were one male under 5 [Reuben Kettle, 1], one male 30-40 [Jacob, 36], one female under 5 [Catherine, 3], one female 15 & under 20 [unidentified], and 1 female 30-40 [Mercy, 39]. The female aged 15 & under 20 who did not appear on the 1830 census with Jacob suggests that perhaps when Jacob married his second wife in 1834, she brought this girl with her along with her son William Bartlett. Jacob's neighbors included Elias Kettles, Richard Wells, Lloyd Wells, Thomas Dixon, and Thomas Callahan, all who had family members who married into Jacob's family.
On 09 June 1841, Isaac Trotter and his wife Katharine of Licking County, Ohio sold 70 acres to Jacob Lambert for $181. The land was located in Licking County "off the south end of the lot No five (5) of Section four (4) Township four (4) Range fourteen (14)."
The 1850 census for Bennington Township, Licking County, Ohio lists the Jacob Lambert family as Jacob Lambert, age 46, value of real estate owned $1800, born in Virginia; Mercy, age 50, born also in Virginia; Francis W, 20, born in Ohio; Catherine, 13, born in Ohio, and Rueben K., 11, born in Ohio. Thus, in nine year's time, the 70 acres that Jacob bought in 1841 had appreciated in value almost 1000%.
Jacob farmed 77 acres with $90 worth of farming implements and machinery in 1850. He owned three horses, three milk cows, one other cow, thirty sheep, nine swine, all worth $215. In the previous year, he had produced 160 bushels of wheat, 400 bushels of Indian corn, 120 pounds of wool, 20 bushels of Irish potatoes, 300 pounds of butter, six tons of hay, 50 pounds of maple sugar; had made $10 for "home manufactures," and made $60 for slaughtered animals.
Jacob helped organize a church in Bennington Township, Licking County, Ohio, in 1850. It was called "Lambert's Chapel," and was located in the eastern part of the township, a little north of Lake Fork, on the Calvin Stout property. Prior to 1850, meetings were generally held in Jacob's home. Other original members included Elias Kettle and Richard Wells. As discussed, Jacob's second wife's maiden name was likely Kettle. As will be discussed, Jacob's eldest son married a Wells.
The 1860 census for Appleton, Bennington Township, Licking County, Ohio lists Jacob Lambert, 56, value of real estate $3000, value of personal estate $550, born in Virginia, and Mercy Lambert, 60, born in Virginia. His land continued to appreciate in value, from $1800 in 1850 to $3000 in 1860.
The 1870 census for Appleton, Bennington Township, Licking County, lists Jacob Lambert, 65, farmer, value of real estate $3850, value of personal estate $700, born in Virginia, and Mercy Lambert, 70, keeping house, born in Vermont. Vermont is clearly written, but the previous two censuses listed her as being born in Virginia. Their daughter Catherine Dixon, 33, and Catherine's husband, Augustus Dixon, were living with them. The land valued at $3000 in 1860 was valued at $3850 in 1870. His personal estate had increased from $550 to $700 in ten year's time.
On 01 September 1876, Jacob Lambert and his wife Rachel Lambert of Licking County, Ohio, sold their 70 acres to Joshua Van Rhoden for $5000. The land was as described in the 1841 purchase, but contained an additional seven acres, the location described as, "beginning at the South East Corner of Lot Number 12, thence West 12 rods, thence North 90 48/100 rods, thence East 12 rods, thence South 90 48/100 rods to the place of beginning." Jacob signed the sale document with his mark, indicating perhaps that he was unable to write. Or, as will be discussed, perhaps he couldn't write because he had lost an arm.
Likely around the time of the sale of their land, Jacob and Rachel moved back to adjacent Knox County, Ohio. The 1880 census for that location, Milford, reflects that Jacob Lambert was a white male, age 76, farmer, married, living with Rachel Lambert, 66, married, keeping house. Jacob was shown with the disability of "arm off." He was listed as being born in Virginia, as were both his parents. Rachel was listed as being born in New York, as were both her parents. We know this is the correct Jacob Lambert, as he was the only one of that name in Ohio of the right age in the 1880 census, and the disability listed matches his obituary which reported that he had an arm amputated.
Jacob was listed as a member of the Methodist Church in Middlebury Township, Knox County, Ohio in 1881.
Jacob's third wife, Rachel, died on 03 December 1883, likely prompting his move to Newton, Jasper County, Iowa. Her obituary helps describe both hers and her husband's longstanding forbearance with physical issues. It read:
-- On Monday, the 2d inst. [sic., she died the 3rd], Mrs. JACOB LAMBERT, residing at Lock, Knox county Ohio, died after several weeks of severe suffering, at the age of 71 years. Mrs. LAMBERT was formerly a resident of our town, and will be remembered as a woman of excellent qualities, and a kind and good citizen. She leaves an aged husband, several grown up children, and a large circle of relatives and acquaintances to mourn her demise."
Rachael Lambert's record of death in the Knox County Probate Court recorded that she had died on 03 December 1883, she had been married, had lived to be 71 years, 2 months, and 15 days old, place of death was Milford, place of birth was Ontario, NY, her occupation was wife, her parents were Mathew Hopkins and Lucy Wright, she was white, her "disease, direct or indirect cause of death," was "paralysis," and her place of residence was Milford."
Less than three months earlier, a neighbor, Levi Cunningham, had died on 22 September 1883. Levi's widow, Fidelia (Schoonover) Cunningham became Jacob's fourth wife on 14 November 1885. She came into the marriage having raised eight children, many of whom lived in the vicinity.
Jacob Lambert died nine years later. His obituary was published in The Newton Record:
Died at his home in this city, Thursday morning, November 22, at 6:55 o'clock, at the ripe old age of 90 years, 4 months and 9 days.
Jacob Lambert, or as he was familiarly known, Father Lambert, was born in Gustra [Augusta] County, Virginia, July 13, 1804. While but a boy he moved with his parent[s] to Licking County, Ohio, where he resided until about twelve years ago, when he came to Newton, where he has since lived. He was one of a family of fourteen brothers and sisters, of whom there are but two living. His fourth wife, who was a Mrs. Cunningham, and four sons, one daughter, ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren survive to mourn their loss of a kind husband, good and loving father and grandparent. Father Lambert had been a member of the Methodist Church for eighty years. The funeral services will be held today from the Methodist Church, Rev. Brooks officiating.
Father Lambert was a man of great physical strength and energy. His constitution was so strong that it resisted all attempts of being put under in influence of chloroform or ether, even during the amputation of his arm. He was a good father and good citizen and a man respected by all. 'He has trod the path we must all follow; there is another link of friendship broken, yet we cherish a hope that at some future period those broken links may again be united in a blessed hereafter.'
According to his burial permit and record, Jacob Lambert died at Newton, Jasper County, Iowa and was buried in Union Cemetery there on Friday, 23 November 1894. This cemetery is located at 1601 West 4th Street North, in Newton. His plot is in section 6, lot 80, block 2. The comments section of the record reflected that he was the "son of Francis & E. (VanFausen) Lambert; 2nd husband of Phidelia (Schoonover) Cunningham Lambert his 4th wife."
His stone reads, "Jacob Lambert, died Nov 22, 1894 aged 90Y 4M 2D."
Phidelia Lambert was enumerated in the 1895 Iowa census for Newton, Jasper County, indexed under "Phidita Lambert," age 79, birthplace New York.
Phidelia continued to live in her home in southeast Newton until her death in 1899. Her obituary appeared in the The Newton Record:
Death of an Aged Christian
Grandmother Lambert, one of the best old ladies in this city, passed away last Friday morning, at her home southeast of town. Mother Lambert on Thanksgiving Day was one of the guests of honor at a large gathering of relatives a the home of her daughter, Mr. H. V. Van Epps, and the following Sabbath was in her accustomed pew in the M. E. Church, little thinking that her life was so near to close. She was in her eighty-fifth year, but still retained much of her youthful spirits and vigor. The funeral services were held in the M. E. Church on Saturday afternoon, conducted by her pastor, Rev. J. C. Willets, who preached an excellent discourse from the text, "They return at evening." Mrs. T. M. Rodgers, Miss Lettie Earley, Jas. Hayter and Horace Shepherd sang the old hymns so dear to Mother Lambert during her lifetime. Lulu Hayter accompanied on the organ.
Phildelia Schoonover was born in Genesee County, N. Y. May 29, 1815. When she was quite young her parents moved to Portage Co., Ohio, where she grew to womanhood and on March 8, 1836 [sic., 1833 according to her first husband's biography], was married to Levi A. Cunningham. They lived for several years in Noble Co., Ind., and Muscatine Co., Iowa, moving to this city Feb. 26, 1873. Eight children were born to them, six of whom survive. Father Cunningham died Sept. 22nd, 1883. She was again married Nov. 14, 1885 to Jacob Lambert, of this city, who died Nov. 22, 1893 [sic., 1894, as discussed earlier].
Mother Lambert joined the M. E. Church when she was twenty-five years of age, and during all the years of her life was a faithful Christian and an ardent lover of the church of her choice. She loved her children and they in turn gave her every tender care and attention due an aged and almost idolized mother. Her daughter, Mrs. A. C. Van Epps, who resides in Omaha, arrived in time to see her mother alive and receive her parting blessing.
Jacob Lambert and Mary Callahan were the parents of the following three children, all born in Ohio:
i. THOMAS CALLAHAN LAMBERT, born 04 December 1826 in Knox County,
Ohio, died 05 July 1911 in Endicott, Jefferson County, Nebraska. He
married 25 September 1849, Rebecca Jane Wells.
ii. FRANCIS WILLIAM LAMBERT, born 21or 23, December 1829 in
Licking County, Ohio, died 18 March 1907 in Manilla, Crawford County, Iowa. He married 10 March 1859 in Morrow County, Ohio, Phoebe Ann Brokaw.
iii. HENRY E. LAMBERT, born 20 March 1831 in Ohio, died 12 February 1915 in
Independence, Jackson County, Missouri. He married 25 January 1853 in Knox County, Ohio, Hannah Jane Runyan.
Jacob Lambert and his second wife Mercy Bartlett were the parents of two children:
i. CATHERINE D. LAMBERT, born 14 July 1837, died 08 May 1913. She married, circa 1860, Augustus Dixon.
ii. REUBEN KETTLE LAMBERT, born 28 June 1839 in Licking County, Ohio,
died 07 September 1918 in Newton, Jasper County, Iowa. He married 23 February 1860, Cynthia Adeline Benjamin.
Stepchildren of Jacob Lambert born of his second wife Mercy (Kettle) Bartlett by her first husband were:
i. [UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE], born between 1820 and 1825, likely in Ohio. The only time she appeared in any records was in the Jacob Lambert household in the 1840 U. S. census for Bennington Township, Licking County, Ohio, as a female 15 and under 20. The Licking County Courthouse burned in 1874, destroying "all records except for a few marriages" (footnote Pam Cannon letter) in which she possibly appeared. All other members of the household are accounted for; she likely came into the household with her mother and brother.
ii. WILLIAM BARTLETT, born circa 1836. By process of elimination, he was one of the three males 5 and under 10 in the 1840 U. S. census for Bennington Township, Licking County, Ohio, in the Jacob Lambert household. Although there were numerous William Bartletts in Ohio throughout the remainder of the 19th century, none fit his profile. He appears with his half-sister, Catherine Dixon, in the 1910 census for Bennington Township, Licking County, Ohio, age 72, widowed, born in Ohio, father born in New York, mother born in Vermont, identified as the head of household, and Catherine Dixon, age 74, widowed, identified as his half-sister, born in Ohio, father born in Pennsylvania, mother born in Vermont. They shared the same mother.
Stepchildren of Jacob Lambert born of his fourth wife Fidelia (Schoonover) Cunningham by her first husband Levi Cunningham were brought into Jacob's family as adults, and were:
i. ESTHER JANE CUNNINGHAM, born March 1834, in Ohio, likely Portage County. She married 29 January 1855 in Muscatine County, Iowa, Aretus Schoonover.
ii. PRICE LEVI CUNNINGHAM, born circa 1835, likely at Portage County, Ohio.
iii. He married, circa 1867, Sara Emily [---?---].
iv. DORLESKA C. CUNNINGHAM, born August 1838 in Indiana, likely Noble County. She married, 01 July 1886, Muscatine County, Iowa, David Daily.
v. AMANDA M. CUNNINGHAM, born 29 October 1840, Noble County, Indiana, died Newton, Jasper County, Iowa, 13 March 1926. She married, 29 November 1860, in Muscatine County, Iowa, Harmon V. Van Epps.
vi. OLIVE R. CUNNINGHAM, born May 1844 in Indiana. She married, circa 1860, Zachariah Elias Newkirk.
vii. MARIA CUNNINGHAM, born circa 1847 in Indiana.
viii. WILLIAM JOHN WALLACE CUNNINGHAM, born July 1852 in Iowa, likely Muscatine County. He married, 23 October 1874 in Muscatine County, Iowa, Mary F. Wiley.
ix. ANNA MILLER CUNNINGHAM, born circa 1859 in Missouri. |
