Judge Robert Lamberton
Encyclopedia
Judge Robert Lamberton was an associate Judge of the Courts of Venango County, Pennsylvania
, who founded the first bank in the County later known as the Lamberton Savings Bank. The bank building was demolished in 1969 to make way for the First National Bank of Pennsylvania.
, Northern Ireland
. At the age of 21 he emigrated to the United States and stayed with an uncle in Plum township
, Venago County, with whom he laboured for some months. He later obtained work as a stone cutter on the Erie Canal
before returning to Franklin. From meagre beginnings as a clerk in a dry goods store he opened a small shop in the town which expanded rapidly and eventually became a department store dealing in furnishings and family supplies of every kind. In addition to merchandising, he was also involved in the establishment of a rolling mill and nail factory in the town and later erected mills for the manufacture of flour and lumber.
building which now too is long gone. He continued to make large investments in real estate in Franklin.
as a Democrat
. As a church officer and trustee of Franklin Presbyterian Church he was heavily involved in all church activities from an early stage.
Lamberton died on August 7, 1885 at the age of 77 years. The funeral was reported as being the largest ever gathered in the city.
and the Lamberton School at Cranberry. There are also several roads and streets named Lamberton within the County. The name is also associated with the promotion of further education with the Lamberton Scholarship at Franklin High School.
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, who founded the first bank in the County later known as the Lamberton Savings Bank. The bank building was demolished in 1969 to make way for the First National Bank of Pennsylvania.
Early years
Robert Lamberton was born and brought up on the family farm near to what is now Eglinton, County LondonderryEglinton, County Londonderry
Eglinton is a village in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It lies east of Derry, to which it serves as a sleeper village, and west of Limavady. Many inhabitants of the village work in Derry city and send their children to school there. Eglinton had a population of 3,165 people in the 2001...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. At the age of 21 he emigrated to the United States and stayed with an uncle in Plum township
Plum, Pennsylvania
Plum is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 27,126 at the 2010 census.Plum is often referred to as "Plum Boro" or more correctly "Plum Borough" by locals to distinguish it from its previous status as a township...
, Venago County, with whom he laboured for some months. He later obtained work as a stone cutter on the Erie Canal
Erie Canal
The Erie Canal is a waterway in New York that runs about from Albany, New York, on the Hudson River to Buffalo, New York, at Lake Erie, completing a navigable water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. The canal contains 36 locks and encompasses a total elevation differential of...
before returning to Franklin. From meagre beginnings as a clerk in a dry goods store he opened a small shop in the town which expanded rapidly and eventually became a department store dealing in furnishings and family supplies of every kind. In addition to merchandising, he was also involved in the establishment of a rolling mill and nail factory in the town and later erected mills for the manufacture of flour and lumber.
Oil rush
The development of the oil business brought vast wealth into Venango County and demanded a need for adequate financial institutions. The early pioneers of the oil excitement had to have a safe place to keep their large sums of money so Lamberton opened the first bank in the County and installed an exceptionally large strong safe in his store. In 1860 when he built the Lamberton Homestead, he included a banking room within the premises. The site was subsequently used for the YMCAYMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
building which now too is long gone. He continued to make large investments in real estate in Franklin.
Public service
In 1861, he was elected as an associate Judge of the Courts of Venango County, an office he held with honour for five years. He also served several terms with the City CouncilCity council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
as a Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. As a church officer and trustee of Franklin Presbyterian Church he was heavily involved in all church activities from an early stage.
Lamberton died on August 7, 1885 at the age of 77 years. The funeral was reported as being the largest ever gathered in the city.
Legacy
His legacy continues to this day with the name being synonymous with various places in Venango County such as the Lamberton House http://www.lanierbb.com/inns/bb12144.html and the Lamberton Block in Franklin http://deepharbourproperties.com/_wsn/page3.html, Chess Lamberton airport now renamed Venango Regional AirportVenango Regional Airport
Venango Regional Airport , also known as Chess Lamberton Field, is a public airport in western Pennsylvania, two miles southwest of the central business district of Franklin and about southwest of Oil City. Both cities are located in Venango County, which operates the airport. The airport covers ...
and the Lamberton School at Cranberry. There are also several roads and streets named Lamberton within the County. The name is also associated with the promotion of further education with the Lamberton Scholarship at Franklin High School.