- Springfield Republican
3/12/1898
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DEATH OF JASPER E. LAMBIE
Formerly Mayer of Northampton and For Many Years a Prosperous Merchant There
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jasper E. Lambie, a former mayor of Northampton, died at his home in Phillips place in that city yesterday morning at 8:30. The long and tedious course of his illness, which was of paralytic nature, grieved his friends, who deeply sympathized with him and his family. The first approach of the insidious attack was observed two years ago, and for several moths past he had not been able to leave the house.
Jasper E. Lambie was born in Hammond, N.Y., in 1843. His grandfather was engaged in the manufacture of the famous Paisley shawls and it was from Paisley, Scot., that his father immigrated to New York state. The children of his father, John Lambie, were Jane, Robert M., Mrs. Margaret Gardner and Jasper E., who have died, and Christina, a widow of F. W. Blackmore (sic) of Hammond, William M. and John F. of Northampton, and Martha M., wife of George L. Manchester, of Easthampton.
After graduating from the public schools, J.E. Lambie attended Gouverneur academy and St. Lawrence University in New York State. In August, 1864, he joined the 91st New York volunteer infantry. He was stationed at Baltimore in the commissary muster department and remained there during the war. In 1866, Mr. Lambie and his brother Robert opened a dry goods store in Easthampton and this business J.E. Lambie continued for a number of years after his brother had removed to New York. In 1833, Mr. Lambie bought out the business of E. G. Southwick & Co. in Northampton, and three years later took his brother John into partnership.
Almost immediately Mr. Lambie took a position as one of the most enterprising and successful merchants of the Meadow city. It was not long before the firm built at the rear of the Southwick block, which they occupied, a block more than twice as large as the one which fronted on the street. The whole of the first floor of the united blocks has been used for the sales department, and so large a stock has been kept in the commodious basement that the firm found itself called upon to do quite a wholesale trade with the surrounding towns. There has been constant increase in the large and successful business.
Mr. Lambie's political career was not a long one, but it was sufficient to make him mayor of the city and to give him some state prominence at one time as a man adapted in every way and very favorably spoken of for the governor's council. In 1889 and 1890 he served the city efficiently in the board of aldermen and in the fall of 1890 was nominated the republican candidate for mayor against John B. O'Donnell, the democratic nominee. Both were strong men and each had a large following. Mr. Lambie won by a majority of 262 votes, the largest majority ever given a mayor in the city, except that which Mr. O'Donnell received two years later, which was exactly as large. Mr. Lambie gave a sound, conservative and business like administration. The following year Mr. Lambie and Mr. O'Donnell were again the nominees of their respective parties, and this time Mr. O'Donnell won by three votes. Mr. Lambie always cherished the honor which belonged to him as a veteran of the civil war and was always interested in the proceedings of W. L. Baker Grand Arm post, of which he was a member. He was a Mason, belonging to Northampton chapter, and he held the office of master of Ionic lodge of Easthampton.
Of his personal qualities as a man and citizen, nothing but the highest praise could be spoken. He maintained a poise and dignity of bearing that was undisturbed by the cares of business or office. He manifested enterprise without a trace of flurry or bluster and showed that a man can be successful in business without any neglect of courtesy or kindliness. He held his friends by a genuine stability of character, by unfailing good will and unimpeachable integrity. In his death the city not only loses a strong man, but the people lose a beloved friend.
Mr. Lambie married Henrietta E. Bryan, daughter of Dr. Bryan of New York, in 1975. She survives him, with two children, Margaret, aged 11, and Morris, aged nine. Three other children died in early youth. He was a member of the Unitarian church. The funeral will be held at the Unitarian church tomorrow at 3 o'clock, Dr. G. C. Cressey officiating.
|
1843 - 1898 (54 years)
[1] 
