USA > Pennsylvania > Delaware County > A history of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and its people; Volume III > Part 44
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married George S. Williamson. 2. Elsie M., born in Easttown township, Penn- sylvania, April 25, 1888; married, April 5, 1911, Bartram R. Harvey, of Con- cordville, a sketch of whom appears in this work. 3. Lawrence, unmarried.
Richard Pyatt, who has reached the venerable age of threescore
PYATT years and ten, is still one of the active and substantial residents of Clifton Heights, which place has represented his home for many years. He was born at Hyland Inn, then owned by Owen Rhodes, in Delaware county, Pennsylvania, December 17, 1843. His father was Thomas Pyatt, a resident of Clifton Heights at the time of his demise, in 1901. Thomas Pyatt married Hettie Rudolph and this union was prolific of six children, namely : William, Richard, Eliza. Amos, Alfred and John. The Pyatt family is of Eng- lish descent and is descended from staunch old Quaker stock.
In the district schools of Delaware county Richard Pyatt received his pre- liminary educational training. He was just of age at the time of the outbreak of the war of the rebellion and he manifested his intrinsic loyalty to the cause of independence by enlisting for service in the Union ranks as a member of the Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. He was a gallant and faithful soldier during the entire period of the conflict and among some of the important battles in which he participated were those of Antietam and Chancellorsville. He retains his interest in his old comrades in arms and signifies the same by membership in the Grand Army of the Republic. As a young man Mr. Pyatt learned the trade of carpenter and he was a builder and contractor during many years of his active career. He became interested in engineering work and for a number of years he lias been stationary engineer at Clifton Heights. Although he is getting along in years, Mr. Pyatt is hale and hearty and is decidedly youthful in spirit. He is Republican in his political faith, and in religious matters he and his wife are devout members of the Presbyterian church, in whose activities they are prominent factors. Mr. Pyatt married Eamie Fisher. Mrs. Pyatt is a woman of most lovable qualities and she and her husband are held in high esteem by their many friends and acquaintances in their home community. They have one son, Howard, who was born in 1883, and who is engaged in business at Clifton Heights : he lives at home with his parents.
REESE
John T. Reese, deceased, for many years an enterprising farmer
and public-spirited citizen of Newtown Square, where his genial and pleasant manner made him quite popular, he having been held in high esteem by all with whom he was brought in contact, either in business or social life, was born in Marple township, Pennsylvania, November 3, 1847, son of Eli and Lizzie Reese, both lifelong residents of Marple township, where they died and where their remains were interred.
John T. Reese obtained a practical education in the public schools in the vicinity of his home, and upon arriving at a suitable age to earn his own liveli- hood devoted his attention to whatever came to hand, thus working at various occupations until he had attained middle age, when he decided to become a truck farmer, conducting his operations on ground purchased by him in Marple town- ship, whereon he resided for the remainder of his days, his death occurring in the year 1907, at Coopertown, his demise being widely and sincerely lamented as that of an honorable citizen, and a truly good man, beloved and respected in all the relations of life. He was loyal and patriotic, answering the call for emergency men to aid in crushing out the rebellion and served his term of three months, making an enviable record for bravery. Mr. Reese married (first) Susanna, daughter of Edward Worrell, a representative of the old and honored
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Worrell family, which was among the earliest settlers of Delaware county. She bore him five children: 1. Anna Elizabeth, who resides at Oakmont, where she is the owner of two houses from which she derives a good revenue. 2. William E., died in infancy. 3. May E., died aged sixteen years. 4. Harry, died aged fifteen years. 6. James Oscar, who left home in 1900 and has not been heard from since. The mother of these children died in 1875. Mr. Reese married (second) Clara Brackney. Children: 1. Agar, married Sadie Boomer ; they reside in West Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 2. Joseph, a carpenter by trade ; resides at Garrettford. 3. George, died in childhood. The mother of these chil- d'ren is making her home at the present time ( 1913) with her son Joseph. She has always been a worthy helpmeet to her husband, and a kind and loving mother, striving to the best of her ability to rear her children in the way they should go, teaching them to lead lives of usefulness and activity, and thus per- forming the tasks allotted to her in the best manner possible.
ROBERTS John Howard Roberts, a public-spirited citizen of Lansdowne, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, descends from old English stock on both the paternal and distaff sides. Early in 1660 John Roberts came from England to New York City, and there remained for a time. He eventually settled on the Hudson river, and for many years farmed and trafficked with the Indians, during which time they were at constant war with the whites. That he survived the hardships and the ambushes of the wily foe is an indication of his keen wit to forestall them, his determination not to be outdone by them, and his hardy spirit to accept that which fell to his lot. He was among the first on the scene after the massacre of the Huguenot inhabitants at Esopus by the Esopus Indians ; and he was one of the whites who went in quick pursuit of the savage captors and the Huguenot women and children held prisoners. He was the parent of a number of sons, some of whom wandered to Pennsylvania after it was settled by the famous Quaker, William Penn, and his devoted little band of co-religionists. Some of Robert's descendants were in the French war, many were Indian scouts, and some served their country faith- tully and well in the war of the revolution as well as in that of 1812. Among his direct descendants was Samuel, of whom further.
Samuel Roberts was a native of near Norristown, Pennsylvania. He grew to manhood there on his father's farm, and died at Pawling, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer and landowner, and was pursuing his peaceful vocation when there was a call for volunteers to resist the invasion of Great Britain in 1812. He offered his services, enlisted, and was with the United States army during the two years of warfare. At its close he was honorably discharged, and his discharge papers are still in the possession of the family. He was quite young at the time of his enlistment, and was unmarried. After the war he returned to his agricultural pursuits, which he continued until his death. Children: I. John B., of whom further. 2. Evan, horn about 1834, died in Philadelphia. Samuel, born in 1836, died aged forty-five. 4. Lydia, born about 1838, deceased. 3 5. Eliza, born about 1840, deceased. There were two others.
John B. Roberts, son of Samuel Roberts, was born in 1832, in Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, and died, November 10, 1890, near Phoenixville, Chester county, Pennsylvania. He received his education in the common schools of the day, and on reaching maturity turned his attention to farming in Chester county, where he owned ninety-three fertile acres. At the outbreak of hostilities be- tween the North and South he offered his services to his state. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Company I, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Infantry, and served with bravery and distinction nine months,
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during which time he was promoted to the second lieutenancy. He was in the first battle of Manassas, at Antietam, Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg. After he was honorably discharged he reenlisted in Company B, Thirty-fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, as first lieutenant, and served three months. Returning home he again farmed and continued it until his death. He was a Republican in politics, voting with that party after its organization in 1857, and was locally active for it. He was one of the influential men in his community and was invariably at the head of every movement that was for the public welfare. He was always alert and keenly interested in all public questions. He and his wife were consistent members of the Presbyterian church, though she was reared a Friend. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and at one time was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married, in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, Mary L. Valentine, born in 1842, near Phoenixville, and died February 1, 1913. She was the daughter of Joseph D. and Mary (Laner) Valentine, old-time residents of Phoenixville, where he was a merchant and farmer prior to the civil war. He died in 1880, and his wife died in 1850. Joseph D. Valentine descended from John Valentine, who came from England in 1686 or 1689, as one of the co-religionists of William Penn. He and his family settled near Philadelphia, there reared a large family and died. Joseph D. Valentine and his wife were members of the Society of Friends, and reared their family in that faith. Children: Mary L., wife of John B. Roberts ; Annie, deceased, married James P. Hood, lived at Westgrove, Pennsylvania ; Rebecca, deceased, married William Park: Emma, married Ed- ward Bushong, both dead. Children of John B. and Mary L. (Valentine) Roberts: 1. Mary E., married Chester Reynolds, resides at Westgrove, Penn- sylvania. 2. Leila R., married Howard Courtney, resides at Westgrove. 3. John Howard, of whom further. Three others died in infancy.
John Howard Roberts, son of John B. and Mary L. (Valentine ) Roberts, was born April 18, 1878, in Pawling, Pennsylvania. After receiving his educa- tion in the public school at Westgrove, he entered the Williamson Trade School, from which he graduated in 1897 as an expert carpenter and mechanical draughtsman. He immediately entered the employ of Milton W. Young, of Overbrook, Pennsylvania, remaining with him until 1912, when he accepted a position with the W. C. Shuster Company as superintendent and manager, which important post of trust he holds at the present time ( 1913). Through his own unaided efforts did Mr. Roberts secure this position, and he has proven, and is daily proving, his fitness for it. He is original in his methods and aims to place his company in the forefront in its particular line. He is a progressive, up-to-date citizen of Lansdowne, and is a Progressive in politics. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and he of the Masonic order, and of the Patriotic Order Sons of America and Independent Order of American Mechanics, the Sons of Veterans and the Artisans Fraternal Order. Since the fall of 1909 he has resided in Lansdowne, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he has built a pretty and commodious house. He married, June 19, 1900, Isabel E. Holman, born in Philadelphia. Children: Howard C., Homer Valen- tine.
ROBERTS Those of the name of Roberts are numerous in the vicinity of Philadelphia, it being a common patronymic in the region form- ing the counties of Chester and Delaware. Two branches are there represented, the one of English stock, which in the early days of Pennsyl- vania history allied itself with another of the oldest families of Pennsylvania, that of Sharpless, the other of Welsh descent, the origin of the two on the con-
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tinent probably being the same. It is from this latter branch that W. Harry Roberts, of this narrative, is traced, this record beginning with his grandparents, George S. and Lydia Roberts. Both were members of the Society of Friends, observing with strict rectitude the many exacting regulations of that sect, George S. Roberts being a landowner and farmer of Willis township, Chester county, Pennsylvania. His line continues through his son Joseph, his other child, Elma, dying unmarried.
Joseph Roberts, son of George S. and Lydia Roberts, was born in Willis township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1832. and died there in 1877, aged forty-five years. He grew to maturity on the farm of his father and early in life accepted agriculture as the work for which he was best fitted, subsequently beginning independent farming operations and following that occupation until his early death. He received not only his calling from his father, but also his religious convictions, and he was ever an adherent to the faith of the Society of Friends, while his political support was accorded the Republican party. He married Amanda, like himself a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, born in 1833. died in 1899. daughter of Henry and Prudence Rennard, the parents of a family of eleven. The Rennard family is one of about the same length of residence in the United States as that of the Roberts branch with which it became connected, Henry Rennard having been a farmer in Lewis township, with his wife a member of the Presbyterian church, his death occurred when he was aged seventy-five years. Children of Joseph and Amanda (Rennard) Roberts: 1. Mary Elma, lives unmarried in West Chester. Pennsylvania. 2. Irene Marion, died unmarried. 3. George S., a member of the reportorial staff of the "Star," a periodical of West Chester, where he lives. 4. W. Harry, of whom further.
W. Harry Roberts, youngest of the four children of Joseph and Amanda (Rennard) Roberts, was born in Willis township, near White Horse, Chester county, Pennsylvania, and in his youth attended the public schools of West Chester. Soon after the death of his father he discontinued his studies and obtained a position, subsequently placing himself under the teaching of Joseph Dicen, spending three years with him learning the trade of carpenter. When he had mastered all of its departments he found employment as a journeyman, the pursuit of his trade taking him to the various towns then in the full vigor of growth along the Pennsylvania railroad main line. This he made his busi- ness until 1904. when he established independently, advertising as a contractor and builder. As such he has since continued, finding profit in the pleased satis- faction of those for whom he has executed commissions, gaining in reputation and prosperity with the growth of his business. He is an architect of no mean ability and designs not a few of the homes that he erects, giving his personal attention and supervision to his works of importance. As a Republican he has served one term as a member of the school board of Haverford township, and holds membership in the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Mr. Roberts married. April 12, 1898. Gertrude, born in Philadelphia, Penn- sylvania. daughter of Eugene and Mary Vickers, both of whom reside in Phila- delphia, her father an engineer in the employ of the Pennsylvania railroad. Children of W. Harry and Gertrude (Vickers) Roberts: W. Harry Jr., born July 29, 1899 : Alma C., Mav 6. 1902 ; Eugene, July 16, 1904 : Florence, Novem- ber 30. 1906. Since 1903 the Roberts home has been in Grassland, Haverford township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania.
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"The study of biography is by nature the most universally
ROBERTS profitable, universally pleasant of all things." said Carlyle, and this statement of the philosopher is certainly verified when we turn our attention to the life records of such men as Dr. I. Burton Roberts, whose sole aim and purpose is the alleviation of pain and the restoration to health of those afflicted with bodily ailments through the instrumentality of his skill and ability in the line of his profession, which is one of the most noble in which men or women can labor. He is a descendant of an English ancestry, representatives' of which have resided in Chester county, Pennsylvania, for many years.
William Roberts, grandfather of Dr. Roberts, was a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and there lived and died. He was a farmer, conducting his operations on a farm consisting of one hundred and twenty-five acres, held township offices, and was a member of the Society of Friends. He married Susanna Havard, a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, and they were the parents of nine children, six of whom are living at the present time ( 1913).
Isaac Roberts, father of Dr. Roberts, was born in Chester county, Pennsyl- vania, where he was reared, educated and married. Later he removed to Phila- delphia and there resided for twelve years, and then removed to Norristown, Pennsylvania, and during all this period of time served as ticket agent at the old Ninth and Green street station of the Reading railway, serving in that capacity at the time of his death, in 1876. He answered to the call of President Lincoln for emergency men during the progress of the civil war, term of enlist- ment for from ninety to one hundred days. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and a Republican in politics. He married Annie Daniels, born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, died in 1878, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Daniels, natives of Chester county and descendants of a Welsh ancestry, whose deaths occurred in Chester county, they being known and respected in the com- munity in which they resided. Mr. Daniels was a farmer of Easttown town- ship, and he and his wife were the parents of six children, all of whom are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts had two children: Allen. died in 1887, aged fifteen years; I. Burton, of whom further.
Dr. I. Burton Roberts was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 4, 1874. He attended the public schools of Chester county, and later the Friends' Central School in his native city, and then entered the medical depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the class of 1897. He at once engaged in active practice in the town of Dublin, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, where he remained for three years, then moved to Delaware county, Pennsylvania, locating in Broomall, where he remained for four years, and in the spring of 1905 moved to Llanerch, his present residence. His practice has been of a general character, and his patronage has increased with each passing year, he having won prestige as one of the most successful and able physicians in that section of Delaware county, being highly esteemed in professional as well as in social circles. He keeps in touch with the advanced thought along the line of his profession by member- ship in the Chester County Medical Society, and is a member of the Philadel- phia Alumni Society of University of Pennsylvania; Alpha Mu Pi Omega, a medical fraternity ; the Philadelphia Medical Club, and Kappa Sigma, a college fraternity. He is a member of the Society of Friends, and a Republican in politics, having served as school director in Haverford and Marple townships.
Dr. Roberts married, in 1895, Bessie Sloan, a native of Delaware county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Malachi W. Sloan. Children: Elizabeth and Burton.
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Mrs. Roberts is a member of the Episcopal church, in which she takes an active interest. Both Dr. Roberts and his wife hold an enviable position in social circles and have the sincere regard of many friends.
Rush R. Super, of Lima, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, a lead-
SUPER ing business man and contractor and builder of that section, de- scends from a family long settled in the state. In 1678 Phillip Souper arrived in New York with the Huguenot emigrés and refugees from St. Kitts, St. Christopher, West Indies, where they had taken asylum from the religious persecutions in their own country, France. Phillip Souper joined the French colony at New Rochelle, Westchester county, New York, and there remained for several years. Later he departed, and the records say that he most probably went to the province of Pennsylvania. He is supposed to be the progenitor of the Super family in Pennsylvania.
Phillip Super, the immediate ancestor of Rush R. Super, and descendant of Phillip Souper, the French emigre, was born in Haverford township, Dela- ware county, Pennsylvania, and there lived and died on a farm. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal church and reared their children in the same faith. They were among the substantial, highly esteemed citizens of the township, and in dying bequcathed to their children an honorable name and a stainless record. Among their children were four sons: Joseph, of whom further ; John, born in Haverford township, a farmer, died unmarried; Phillip, born in Haverford township, a farmer, died unmarried; Levi, born in Haver- ford township, a farmer. died unmarried.
Joseph Super, eldest son of Phillip Super, was born on the Super home- stead, Haverford township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. He was reared on the farm and received a limited education in the district school near his home. Reaching adult age he chose farming as his vocation for life, and suc- ceeded more than unusually well. He purchased a large farm on the Barren road, which he improved until it was the model farm of that section. He was actively interested in politics, worked for and gave his franchise to the Repub- lican party. He never held a political office, his large business and personal interests demanding all of his time and closest attention. With his wife he was a consistent and devout member of the Presbyterian church. He was one of the most widely known and generally esteemed men of his day, and when he died, at the age of sixty-two, he was universally mourned. He married Mary Ann Shearer, who survived him many years, dying at the age of eighty-two, a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Grimm) Shearer, of Haverford township. Besides Mrs. Super there were four other children, all of whom are dead except Mrs. Barr, of Philadelphia. After the death of her husband Mrs. Super mar- ried George White. of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, a veteran of the civil war, who died in Media, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. Children of Joseph and Mary Ann ( Shearer) Super : 1. Rush R., of whom further. 2. Jacob, born in 1853, died in 1910 from kick received from a horse ; was a teamster at Media, Pennsylvania ; married Maggie --- --- , who still lives in Media ; children : Ed- ward, Ethel, and three others. 3. Hannah, born in 1855 ; married (first ) Harry Suiter : married (second) William Morgan, of Media, Pennsylvania ; children by first marriage : William, Earl, Marie, Robert, Ida. 4. Ida, born 1859; mar- ried Elwood Smith, banker in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania ; children: Horace, Elwood, Florence.
Rush R. Super, son of Joseph and Mary Ann (Shearer) Super, was born February 21, 1851, in Middletown township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. He was reared on the Super homestead, and received a common school educa-
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tion, which owing to the primitive methods of the day was limited. At the age of sixteen he entered the carpenter shop of James M. Smith to learn the trade, and remained with him for four years. At the expiration of that time he entered the service of Joseph Wells, a contractor of Media, Pennsylvania, and then for one year was with Henderson & Kirk, contractors. Being ambitious he decided that he would enter the contracting and building field for himself, and in 1871 he opened his office in Media. He succeeded at once and was soon at the head of this particular line of endeavor. After his marriage he located in Lima, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, where he has since remained. He purchased the desirable Wright property, remodelled the house, making many improvements, and lived in it for seven years. This he sold in 1904 and bought his present house in Lima, which he has greatly improved, making it one of the most delightful in the town. He has, besides his residence, eighty acres of land in Lima. On January 14, 1910, he began building for S. D. Riddle, of Glen Riddle, and has completed all of the improvements on this property during the year 1912, during which time he employed one hundred and seventeen men and a large number of teams and wagons. He has had unlimited success in all of his undertakings, the result of keen business judgment and conscientious work. He is a Republican by inheritance and conviction, working for and voting the ticket, but has never held office. He is one of the best known and most gen- erally esteemed men in Delaware county.
He married, November 11, 1877, Lauretta J. Russell, born at Lima, Middle- town township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of William and Elizabeth (Hunt) Russell, of Edgemore township. Mr. Russell was one of the most expert cabinetmakers of his day. He incorporated with cabinetmaking the undertaking business and succeeded in accumulating, by his dual occupation, a handsome estate before his death at the age of seventy-three, at Lima. Mrs. Russell died February 18, 1905. Besides Mrs. Super, the children of Mr. and Mrs. Russell are: I. Robert H., a cabinetmaker and undertaker in Lima ; mar- ried Elizabeth Worrell, who survives him and lives in Media ; children : Claire, deceased ; Roberta. 2. Anna, married Samuel Hunt, of Philadelphia ; children : Harry, deceased; William. Children of Mr. and Mrs. Rush R. Super: 1. El- verna, born July 31, 1878, died aged nineteen months. 2. Lizzie, born April 27, 1881, died aged four months. 3. Florence, born April 14, 1883 ; married Charles R. Lawrence, of Elwyn, Pennsylvania, a contractor with R. R. Super, formerly a bookkeeper in bank of Media, but on account of ill health was forced to seek outdoor employment ; one son, Walter H., born March 26, 1912. 4. Wilhel- mina, born February 13, 1885, died December 8, 1905; married Joseph Miller, of Chester Heights, Pennsylvania, a farmer ; one son: John Calvin, died aged three months.
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