My Genealogy Hound

E. J. Lambertson, dealer in dry goods, shoes and furnishings at Rochester, Michigan, has one of the leading establishments of the village and is one of its foremost and most enterprising citizens. He was born in Rochester, Oakland County, Michigan, in 1861, and is a son of John V. and Mary (Pixley) Lambertson.

The history of the Lambertson family dates back to early colonial times in America; it was established in New England. George Lambertson, grandfather of our subject, was born in 1795, and at an early day settled in the village of Rochester, Oakland County, Michigan. His home was the second house on Main street, north of Fifth street, and is standing to-day although it has been once remodeled. He died in 1883. He married Ann Vansickle, a native of New Jersey, and they had three children: Hiram, engaged in mercantile business, who died in 1894 at Caro, Michigan; John V., the father of our subject; and Mary Anderson (Birdsell), who lived in Texas most of her life. Mrs. Lambertson died in 1867, at the age of 63 years.

John V. Lambertson was born in Belvidere, New Jersey, and was eight years old when he accompanied his parents to Rochester, Michigan, in 1834. He became one of the early merchants of the village and for some years engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with his brother Hiram. They built the first brick building in the town, it being located on the corner of Main and Fourth streets. This block was built in 1868, and with its entire stock was destroyed by fire a few years later. He rebuilt and carried on the mercantile business there until 1887, when he went to Caro, Michigan, and engaged in business until his death in 1900, at the age of 74 years. His widow, Mrs. Mary (Pixley) Lambertson, was born in Monroe County, New York, and now resides in the old homestead at Rochester, where the subject of this sketch was born. She is a daughter of Jonathan and Polly Pixley. Her father was born in 1799 and died in 1876, and her mother was born in 1803 and died in 1890. John V. Lambertson and wife became the parents of four children, as follows: Georgia, born in 1850, Argus, born in 1854, and Louis, born in 1856, all of whom died in 1857 of scarlet fever, within the short space of 10 days; and K. J., the subject of this biography, who is the only one now living.

E. J. Lambertson was reared in Rochester and educated in the public schools, after which he worked in his father’s store and learned the details of the mercantile business. He continued with his father until 1885, when he embarked in business for himself and founded his present establishment. His father and uncle were connected with the store at first and it was conducted under the firm name of J. V. Lambertson & Company. Since 1887 he has conducted the store alone. He carries a very comprehensive line of dry goods, shoes and gentlemen’s furnishings, and enjoys a liberal patronage from the higher class of citizens of the vicinity. He is one of the reliable and public spirited men of the community and is held in the highest esteem by his fellow citizens.

In 1887, Mr. Lambertson was joined in marriage to Grace A. Mattison, of Pontiac, Michigan, and they have one daughter, Mary Lorena. One daughter, Deamaris, died in infancy. Our subject is a prominent Mason, as was his father, and belongs to Lodge No. 5, F. & A. M.; Chapter, R. A. M.; Commandery No. 2, K. T., of Pontiac; the Order of the Eastern Star Lodge; and has held most of the offices in each lodge. His father was one of the first Masons of this section, joining the order when Lodge No. 5 was located at Stony Creek, and held all the offices. E. J. Lambertson is also a member of the Knights of the Maccabees. He is a member of the Congregational Church and was formerly a trustee of the church. He is a Democrat in politics.