James A. Lamb
This gentleman came to Sidney early enough to become identified with its whole material development and growth. He was born in Pennsylvania, December 14, 1815, and remained working upon a farm and clerking in a store until 1833. In 1834 he came to Richland County, O., and went into partnership in a drug store at Mansfield. Eighteen months later he engaged in the same business at Lancaster, but in Jan. 1840, he went into the dry goods trade with Col. Zinn. In the spring of 1842 he came to Sidney, and found a village of about fourteen hundred inhabitants, and even a large element of this population belonged to the floating class. With Mr. Zinn he started a factory for the manufacture of pearlash, in which business he was engaged about three years. His principal market was Sandusky, and wagons formed the method of transportation, for although the trip consumed as high as twelve days it was yet cheaper than canal transportation. He continued this business with Colonel Zinn until 1868, when he sold out to Mr. Hoover, bought a farm and worked it until he could settle up his old business. Abort two years later he sold the farm and soon after went into the Citizens’ Bank, Sidney, as President of the institution, which position he still retains. He was a member of the city council about eight years, and while a member of that body introduced the ordinance which provided for securing the Holly Waterworks, and was largely instrumental in other ways in carrying the project to a successful issue. He built the warehouse now occupied by Moore & Marshall as well as his own fine residence. besides engaging in other building projects. The new Presbyterian Church and parsonage may be pointed to as his work, as well as splendid work. He is a man who has conducted a varied business with partners, and yet can say he never had a word of disagreement with these men. Although he had to struggle at times with financial difiiculties he never permitted his note to go to protest. His retail and jobbing stock aggregates about $75,000 a year, which placed him among the foremost business men of the city.
From History of Shelby County, Ohio; R. Sutton & Co, Philadelphia PA, 1883