NameJames Henry Lambert
Birth22 Feb 1828, Dry Run, Pendleton Co., (W) Virginia264
Death1 Jan 1912, Randolph Co., West Virginia
OccupationCaptain, Home Guard, Tucker Co., West Virginia
Alias/AKACaptain Jim; H. J. Lambert
FatherJames B. Lambert (~1806-1851)
Spouses
Birth24 Apr 1834, Randolph Co., (W) Virginia694
Deathabt 1907, Dry Fork, Tucker Co., West Virginia
MotherCatherine Bonner (1810-)
Marriage13 Jun 1852, Randolph Co., (W) Virginia
ChildrenAlfred Yokum (1853-1911)
 James B. (1854-1937)
 Christopher Columbus (1857-1926)
 Mary Catherine (1859-1878)
 Provey Ellen (1861-1955)
 Lorenzo Dow (1863-1949)
 Nathaniel J. (1866-1942)
 Louisa B. (1868-)
 Ella May (1871-1933)
 Edward Harness (1874-1894)
 Floda Virginia (1878-1970)
Notes for James Henry Lambert
807James H. Lambert was born in 1832, in Pendleton County, and founded the family in Tucker County about 1860. He was a farmer and stock man, a timber dealer, and served as captain of the Home Guard during the Civil war. He and other members of the family were staunch Union men, and his brother Nathaniel bore arms as a Federal soldier through the war. James H. Lambert had a good education acquired by private study as well as in the country schools. He was a republican, and served several years as a member of the Tucker County Court. His death occurred January 1, 1912, in Randolph County, though his farm which he developed out of the woods was in Dry Fork District of Tucker County. He married America Yoakum, whose death occurred five years before that of her husband. Of their nine children eight grew up: Alfred, who died in Randolph County, leaving four children; James B., mentioned below; Columbus, a farmer in Dry Fork District of Tucker County and a justice of the peace; Lorenzo Dow, a farmer at Rawlings, Maryland; Provy, wife of Warren Swearingen, of Dry Fork District; Nathaniel, a merchant at Canton, Ohio; Ella, wife of Jacob Montony, of Dry Fork District; Floda, who married Doctor G. W. Wyatt, of Randolph County; and Edward, who died just about the time he reached his majority.
Children of AMERICA BONNER and JAMES LAMBERT are:
45. i. ALFRED YOKUM5 LAMBERT, b. May 3, 1853, ,Randolph, Virginia; d. February 8, 1911.
46. ii. JAMES B LAMBERT, b. December 11, 1854, ,Randolph, Virginia; d. June 29, 1937, Parsons, Tucker, W. Virginia.
47. iii. CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS LAMBERT, b. January 25, 1857, ,Randolph, Virginia; d. July 24, 1926, Parsons, Tucker, W. Virginia.

iv. MARY CATHERINE LAMBERT, b. October 26, 1859, ,Randolph, Virginia; d. 1878, ,Randolph, W. Virginia.
48. v. PROVEY ELLEN LAMBERT, b. August 31, 1861, ,Randolph, Virginia; d. January 5, 1955.
vi. LORENZO DOW LAMBERT, b. December 18, 1863, ,Randolph, W. Virginia; d. May 4, 1949.
vii. NATHANIEL J LAMBERT, b. July 26, 1866, ,Randolph, W. Virginia; d. September 3, 1942.
viii. LOUISA B LAMBERT, b. November 20, 1868, ,Randolph, W. Virginia.
ix. ELLA MAY LAMBERT, b. July 26, 1871, ,Randolph, W. Virginia; d. July 10, 1933.
x. EDWARD HARNESS LAMBERT, b. September 9, 1874, ,Tucker, W. Virginia; d. 1894.
Notes for EDWARD HARNESS LAMBERT:
!Tucker Co., W. vir. birth register FHL film 816710

263Book HISTORY OF THE LAMBERT FAMILY by Oscar Doane Lambert.Page 176 Charcoal portrait titled, "JAMES H. LAMBERT (1828 - 1912)", page 177,Titled, "JAMES HENRY LAMBERT 1828-1912 A Brief Biography James Henry Lambert, son of James B. and Susan Nelson Lambert, was born on DryRun, Pendleton county, Virginia, February 22, 1828. During his childhood the father moved the family from Dry Run to a farm located on Gandy Creek, Randolph County, near where the village of Whitmer now stands. The farm on which they located was currently known as the Johnson place, later the Price place , and afterward owned by Christopher ArmantroutWhile occupying that home the father became ill, and his death soon followed. For a time the widow and children continued to occupy their home and she was successful in holding the family together till the maturity of all the children. Their names were Nathaniel Jackson, James Henry, Stewart Sampson, Madison, Martha, Virginia, and Susan."
"During his early manhood, Nathaniel became a teacher and, as was the custom of the times, went about from place to place securing subscriptions for his school. While on a journey to form a school he came to the home of William Bonner, located in the "Surveys", which later became a part of Tucker County. It was there he met Anjemima Bonner, daughter of William and Anjemima Carr Bonner, and their acquaintance resulted in marriage March 19, 1849."
"As well as can be ascertained by the remaining records, James Henry Lambert visited his brother, Nathaniel, afterwards known as the "Than Place". It was during this time that James Henry met, and formed an acquaintance with, America Ann Yokum, daughter of Alfred and Katherine Bonner Yokum. They were married June 13, 1852, by Joseph Roy."
"The young people lived for a short time with his mother at the Price Place and later established their new home at the Jacob Flanagan farm, or the Than Place. It was while residing (((Page 178, begins here))) at that place that their child James B. was born and named for his paternal grandfather."
"But James H. Lambert and his young wife possessed too much vision and industry to continue to be occupied as tenant farmers. During that time, land was plentiful and prices low. However, money was scarce. Then, as in any other period, necessity required one to concentrate time and attention to business matters in order to gain self dependence. These young people did not lack in highborn qualities. Nature had endowed them with sound intellect, strong bodies, and couragous wills."
"An engaging personality was a natural possession of James H. Lambert, and pleasant conversation was his delight. His aptitude to form and hold friends helped in various matters of business. Having these versitile qualities, he soon set out on his chief vocation of buying and selling land."
"His first adventure in that business was the purchase of a large stock farm of 800 acres located on Red Creek, Randolph County, near where the village of Laneville is now located. Immediately he transferred his little family to it's new home, and there began and independent livelihood which all deeply cherished. Due to the extensive broad acres in his boundary, he turned his time and attention largely to raising cattle. Here is where the prosperity of the family actually began. Through wise management and devoted industry, his herds of cattle, increased in numbers and profits from the sale of them, grew from year to year. The willing assistance rendered by his skillful and busy wife added greatly to their happiness and progress. The role of mother was not easy in those rugged years. It was she who maintained the home, prepared the food on the wood-stove, wove the woolen cloth, washed, carded, and spun the wool, kept the busy wheel humming, knit stocking and mittens, made !
quilts and coverlets, and gave attention to a thousand other duties."
"In the meantime, the Civil War came. During the years of political debate and strife, James H. Lambert had maintained an unwavering loyalty to the Union. When arms were taken up, he joined the Homeguards, was elected to Captain, and continued his soldierly service till the ugly conflict came to a close. Afterwards his friends addressed him as "Captain Jim".
"During those years of strife and danger, lifelong impressions were made on the family. The father was away from home, danger lurked on every hill and in every valley. The mother and children apprehended danger, for the enemy in force was at large. Bearing in mind these circumstances, it is not hard to realize why the children were inured with a loyal devotion to President Lincoln and the Union. Impressions of that nature written in to one's feelings bear evidence many years--even time fails to blot them out.
But the war was over and the living soldiers returned to their homes. James H. Lambert came back to his farm to renew his civil interests and to take up his work that had been suspended four years. His fortune grew. Soon he was reckoned as one of the most prosperous farmers and stockmen in Randolph County. To gain wider pasture for his cattle he employed John Wolford, who could sink the keen blade of his axe into into the huge trunks of the virgin oaks and popularswith power and precision, to extend the clearings.
At Bean Carr's grain mill that stood near by, the wheat and corn were ground. Here the copper colored water drained down the swift race from Red Creek, turned the wheels that pulverized the grain. The mill was a community meeting place for the father and son, riding the surefooted horse or the lumbering ox, brought his grain and patiently waited wile his grist was being grated by the slow and creaking movement of the huge, revolving burhs. The men waited while the meal gradually poured into the white cotton bag."
After a time the older children had reached the age to attend school and there was no school being fept on Red Creek. To overcome this circumstance James H. Lambert change his residence to the South Branch Valley, Grant County where, in the old community, school had been maintained for many years. Here he bought of Archibald Rexroad and his wife margaret, two tracts of land for $2,000, one of which contained 222 acres, 2 rd., and 35 poles, while in the other were 78 acres, 1 rd., and 37 1/2 poles.1" (((End of page 179)))
(((Footnote)))
"1. Grant County Deed Book, II, 302."
(((Page 179-180)))
"In addition to this land, John Yokum deeded to America Ann Lambert for $500 two tracts of land in Grant County, one of which contained 256 acres and the other 85 acres.2 The family therefore, moved to Grant County and the children went to elementary school taught by Marshall Ours. The children, Alfred, James B., Columbus, and Provy advanced well in their studies. But James H. Lambert retained title to his land on Red Creek with the expectation of returning to it.
It was on September 4, 1875, that he traded his two tracts of land in Grant County to Mahlon Wolford and Aaron Rohrabaugh for farms located in Tucker County close by his land along Red Creek. The farm traded by Wolford contained 152 acres and was valued at $1500 while in the Rohrabaugh tract there was 100 acres valued at $500. This land lay in the Stringtown community.
On April 15, 1879, James H. Lambert purchased from the heirs of Alfred Yokum, namely, George, Dennis, Emily C., Henry Clay, and Mary S., all of Grant County, 100 acres on Walkers Ridge, known as the Beaver Place. The consideration was $1100. After having possession of this tract only three years he sold it (December 3, 1882) to Dennis Weimer for $1000. Thus having disposed of all his holdings in Grant County, he was free to direct again all his attention to managing the estate in Randolph and Tucker counties. So the family retraced it's steps across the Allegheny Mountains, Columbus and Provy, children on foot accompanied by the large house dog, drove their fifteen geese via the trail across the highland, while the father and the larger boys, Alfred and James, drove the loaded wagons." ....
After becoming settled again, in their home, in the valley of the Red Creek, the interests of the family prospered. However, within a short time, James H. Lambert sold his land to Milton Babb, having retained ownership to his farms in Stringtown.
His next purchase was a large farm from Jacob and Jesse Flanagan, in Dry Fork District, Tucker County. Forthwith the family moved to the new residence that later became known as the Burnt House, due to the burning of the home inflamed from forest fires. The familt carried it's supply of water from a hollow log or gum, fashioned like a barrel, sunk in the head of a spring, about a hundred yards from the house. The deep ravine through which the drain from the spring flowed still bears the name of Old Gum Hollow that designated the farm as well as an acient convience.*"
*footnote,"*For more than thirty years James B. Lambert owned and occupied this farm. It is where the writer was born and reared, and it is now the property of William and Henry Smith."
"The farm now owned by James H. Lambert had been patented by Ebenezer Flanagan, July 5, 1799. He and his family had arrived near the source of the Big Run from Hardy County, April 5, 1792. This was the first settlement, according to the records, ever made in Dry Fork District, Tucker County, West Virginia. Ebenezer Flanagan had come from Ireland, and was brought up in New Jersey, and when he reached manhood, migrated to western Virginia. In due time his two sons John and William inheirited the estate, continued their residence and reared theor families on the old homestead.
By the time the older children in James H. Lambert's family had reached maturity. It was during his residence here that Alfred Y., the eldest, married Peary Schoonover of New Interest, Randolph County, and James B. married Alice Jane Bonner. She was the daughter of Solomon and Jane (Bright) Bonner, who lived on a farm and kept a mill along Dry Fork, three miles below the confluence of Red Creek with that stream.
Like any other indulgent father, James H. Lambert gave jointly his two married sons the farm which he had purchased from Jacob Wolford, known as the "Wolford Place" in Stringtown, Dry Fork District, and there is where they established their homes.
While located on his large farm, Captain J. H. Lambert continued his interest in agriculture and stock raising. By this time, however, a new business began in that region. It was the lumber industry. On all the land not under cultivation or in pasture, stood giant trees of cherry, ash, yellow poplar, and black walnut. Anew market had come to the country. The logs cut from the most valued trees that stood on the "Jesse Place"**"
** Footnote,"** Named for Jesse Flanagan who had owned the land."
"were drayed by yokes of oxen and teams of horses to the precipice overlooking the Dry Fork River. From that point hefty workmen rolled the huge logs over the precipice and the leaped and rushed pellmell down the steep declivity,striking the river with a roar and a wild splash. When the spring sun had melted the snow from the mountainside and gulches, as a result of which the water became deep and rapid, the logs floated down the river till they were stopped by the boom at Rowlesburg, fifty miles away.
But back to our story again. From the Burnt House location on the Jesse Flanagan Farm, James H. Lambert moved to the Homan place that he puchased from John J. Adams.**"
** Footnote,"** Part of this farm had been patented by Jacob Homan of Hampshire County."
"This farm containing nine hundred and fifty-two acres had natural advantages, as timber, many springs, and fertile soil. Being enterprising, the owner soon built a grain mill and established a general retail store at the Red Creek Post Office. His son, C. C. Lambert attended the store.
While occupying the homan farm, he sold the Flanagan farm to his son, James B. Lambert. This farm had the qualities that many land holders often desire but scarcely ever find. In general it's contour was level and smooth, the hills gentle with a substrata of limestone from which ran several cold, everflowing springs. Giant trees of oak, chstnut, poplar, and other of virgin growth spread wide their shade on the slopes and levels. The soil contained abundant fertility and furnished few obstacles to cultivation.
About this time, James H. Lambert permitted his finances to become involved. This condition came about through signing security notes for other people. When the debt came due the security usually had to meet the payment without realizing any benefits, which made the amount a total loss. The act of signing notes was done as a favor but ended in tragedy. However, he maintained his spacious home by the "big road" where at twilight the wayfarer came for food and shelter, and the drover aroused his herd at early dawn. Having now been elected commissioner of the county court, public business often required his absence from home.
After residing here several years, he exchanged farms with B. F. Bennett who lived near Circleville, Pendleton County. In due time the families moved to their newly acquired homes. Not being well contented at this location, he sold his home and bought a farm of Scott Nelson, located in the picturesque Germany Valley, charming for natural beauty and it's fertility.
Old age and waning physical strength were now about to influence the events of the life of James H. Lambert. No longer was he able to attend to the numerous duties incident to and industrious farmer and stockman. His older children had married and established their own homes. In full realization of these conditions, he disposed of his farm and in turn bought the Allegheny Motel at Job, West Virginia. In connection with this business, his sons, Lorenzo Dow and Nathaniel J. maintained a store of general merchandise. During those years the lumber industry in that region engaged the labor of hundreds of workmen; it was in full swing of action and movement. Merchants sold goods and every workman had employment.
To improve their business location, the Lambert brothers, moved their store to Dry Fork and purchased a small farm of Marcus White, nearby. Their parents came to live with them, and here their mother passed away. After her decease, the father spent his last years with his son Nathaniel J., his death having occurred January 1, 1912. The husband and wife had lived together fifty-five years, always maintaining a home of comfort and plenty, where bothe acquaintance and stranger found a welcome and many accepted the accorded favor. Their graves are in the Lee Bonner Cemetery, Dry Fork, West Virginia.
James H. Lambert was about five feet nine inches in height, normal weight, approximately one hundred and seventy pounds, more inclined to be corpulent than muscular. During young manhood and middle-life he stood erect but in later life the weight of years induced the support of a cane to his stooped posture when walking. The complexion was florid almost to the degree of being delicate. Harmonizing with this appearance, the eyes were blue and almost full. The fair hair of a fine texture became pure white in the advanced years, covering the crown but with a thinness on the high forehead. the double chin and straight regular nose made the face appear to be slightly long, and the clipped white mustache added an air of dignity to his general appearance.
Personally he was jovial, greatly enjoying a joke and had a natural aptitude in relating humor. By no means was he inapt in enteraining friends by his art of story telling. His manner of greeting was pleasant and always had a fund of knowledge that filled his conversation with interest. His voice was calm, and the flow of words came with ease. In serious matters he possessed a depth of reasoning that usually revealed the fundamentals in the case."
Notes for America Ann (Spouse 1)
Parents were not married ... [ccs]
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