MOGMJLambert

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JACOB LAMBERT 1854-1921

JLampert.jpg

Picture courtesy of Missouri Lodge of Research Archive

Grand Master, 1912-1913

BIOGRAPHY

From Missouri Lodge of Research:

Jacob Lambert was born in London, England, March 6, 1854. His parents came to this county in 1858, living in New York City for about ten years. at which time they moved to Detroit, Mi. In 1876 they went to St Louis. Jacob attended public schools until he was twelve years old when he began a three year apprenticeship to a cigar maker. By 1884 he felt himself qualified to engage in the business as a manufacturer of cigars and met with remarkable success.

Brother Lambert was made a Mason in Itaska Lodge No 420 in St Louis being raised a Master Mason May 22, 1878. He was elected Master of the Lodge in 1885 and 1886. In 1905 he was appointed DDGM of the 33rd Masonic District and the following year was appointed Grand Junior Steward. He was elected Grand Master in 1912.

He was a Hebrew who was not ashamed of his race or religion. The anti-Jewish sentiment asserted itself in the summer of 1909, when an anonymous letter was mailed to secretaries of lodges throughout the State calling attention to the fact that Grand Senior Deacon (Lambert) was a Hebrew and was in line for advancement to the elected position of Junior Grand Warden, which would place him in line for Grand Master of Missouri, and setting forth further that there had never been a Jew elected Grand Master. The letter was called to the attention of the Grand Master (Kreger) who, in his address to the Grand Lodge condemned in most severe terms the letter. The committee on jurisprudence also condemned the letter. The report of the jurisprudence committee was adopted and Brother Lambert was, by almost unanimous vote elected Junior Grand Warden on the first ballot. He went on to become one of the most popular Grand Masters in the history of the Grand Lodge.

He was greatly interested in the Masonic Home of Missouri, evidenced by his many benefactions of which was a donation of $25,000.00.

He spent little time on any other than Craft Masonry but was a member of the Scottish Rite bodies in St Louis receiving the 33rd degree Honorary in October 1907.

Brother Lambert's death occurred at his home in St Louis on February 19, 1921. In the absence of the Grand Master Masonic services were conducted by Past Grand Master Frank R. Jesse. Religious services were conducted by Dr. Samuel Thurman. Brother Lambert was laid to rest in Mt Olive Cemetery in St. Louis.


Missouri Grand Masters