John Stoddart Roberts
John S. Roberts was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 10, 1858 to George Harrison Roberts and his wife Sarah W. (Stoddart) Roberts. He first came to Camden in 1883, and began a wholesale tobacco business at 4th and Royden Streets which, by 1897, had grown to be one of the largest such businesses in the state of New Jersey. He made his home at 603 South 4th Street. John S. Roberts became prominent in Camden politics, and as a Republican, was elected to City Council from the Third Ward. He also served on the Water Commission, which awarded a contract to George Pfeiffer to build Camden’s water works, and later as the Secretary on the City Tax Board.
On April 7, 1880 John S. Roberts married Annie Holden. The Roberts had four children, Howard S., George H., John S. Jr., and Sara W. Roberts. Annie Holden Roberts passed away in 1913. He remarried to a woman named Anne Clark.
By 1922 John S. Roberts was working in the City Clerk’s office. He resigned under accusations of graft in May of 1922 and moved to Margate, New Jersey. John S. Roberts passed away on July 21, 1923, and was buried at Harleigh Cemetery.
As of 1897 John S. Roberts was a member of Camden Lodge No. 15, A.F. & A.M.; Siloam Chapter No. 19, Royal Arch Masons; Camden Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows; the Lenni Lenape Tribe No. 2 of the Improved Order of Red Men; all in Camden, and of other groups in Philadelphia.
Camden Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
* Lawyer John Roberts, John Van Sciver and a friend, while canoeing on the Delaware, near Pavonia, capsized and came near being drowned. They were saved by the workmen at the Camden Water Works.
John S. Roberts
Biographical Review — 1897
JOHN S. ROBERTS, a representative business man of the city of Camden, N.J., is a descendant of one of Pennsylvania’s earliest settlers, John Roberts, of Wales, the American founder of the family, having purchased land of the Indians, and settled in Pencoid early in the seventeenth century. John S. was born in Philadelphia, July 10, 1858, and is a son of the late George H. and Sarah W. (Stoddart) Roberts. John Roberts, the father of George H., was born in Philadelphia, and spent his life there engaged in mercantile trade. He was a Quaker.
George H. Roberts was educated in the Philadelphia schools. As a young man he entered upon the life of a tradesman, and followed it until his death in 1876, being in business for himself over thirty years as a member of the widely known firm of Shaffer & Roberts, wholesale dealers in dry goods and notions. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah W. Stoddart, was born in Philadelphia. She was a daughter of John Stoddart, and a sister of the head of the large dry-goods firm of Curwen Stoddart & Brother. There were seventeen children in her father’s family. Mr. and Mrs. George H. Roberts had seven children, of whom four grew to mature years, namely: Frank H.; Helen R., who married Charles Ricketts; Emily Cohen; and John S. The father died at seventy-six, and the mother at sixty-eight years of age. Both parents were members of the Universalist church. During the war Mr. George H. Roberts was United States military storekeeper at Philadelphia.
In his early boyhood John S. Roberts was an attendant of the Philadelphia city schools; but he received only a limited education, for while yet quite young he entered his father’s store, and was there employed until his parent’s death. Subsequently, in 1878, he went into the store of Washington Butcher’s Sons, with whom he remained six years, beginning at the bottom, and working his way up to the position of foreman of their large house. He also travelled for them one season; but in 1883 he left their employ and came to Camden, starting his present business at the corner of Fourth and Royden Streets, which has steadily grown until to-day he is one of the largest tobacco dealers in the State. He carries a large line of cigars, cigarettes, and in fact every preparation of the tobacco plant, doing only a wholesale business.
On April 7, 1880, Mr. Roberts married Miss Annie Holden, who was born in Philadelphia, the only daughter of George Holden. Her father, a machinist by trade, was killed in the late Rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. Roberts have four children; namely, Howard S., George H., John S., Jr., and Sarah W.
Mr. Roberts is one of the leading Republican politicians of Camden. In 1895 he was elected to the City Council to serve two years. He is a member of the Third Ward Republican Club, also of the Camden Republican Club, being President of the former. Municipal affairs have always received much attention from him, and the improved water supply of the city may be mentioned as one of the special objects for which he has worked. In 1895 he was a member of the Water Commission, and he had the investigation made which resulted in the contract being awarded to Senator Pfeiffer for putting in the new works on which he is now engaged. Mr. Roberts was made chairman of the committee in 1896. Fraternally, he is a member of Camden Lodge, No. 15, A. F. & A. M.; Siloam Chapter, No. 19, Royal Arch Masons; Camden Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Camden; and in Philadelphia he was a member of Crusaders’ Lodge of the same order for many years, and a Past Grand; also a member of the Leni Lenape Tribe, No. 2, of the Improved Order of Red Men; and of the Junior Order of A. O. A. M., Vigilant Council, No. 69, of Philadelphia. Mrs. Roberts is an attendant and he is a member of the Baptist church.
Camden’s Council Guarded by Police
Philadelphia Inquirer —
Their Services Were Not Needed, However, as the Crowd Was Orderly
A BRIEF SESSION HELD
President Taylor Names Four Committees—Roberts and Shafer Were Absent
When Camden’s City Council was called together in adjourned meeting last night the gallery was crowded with interested citizens and another large throng filled the space between the members’ desks and the walls of the chamber. A detail of twenty police, under Chief Dodd and Lieutenants Pettit and Foster, were scattered about the chamber to preserve order, but their presence was not needed.
Neither John S. Roberts nor Dr. William Shafer, the contestants for a seat as representative from the Third ward was present. Mr. Roberts was absent by advice of his counsel, it was stated. It could not be learned why Dr. Shafer did not appear. Another absentee was Charles E. Day, one of the Committee of One Hundred Councilmen from the Fifth ward, who was taken suddenly ill on Wednesday. Mr. Day is rapidly improving and will probably be out in a day or two.
There was no roll call. President Taylor announced the following committees:
Finance—Jessup, Burrough, Devinney, Silvers and Ellis.
Streets—Gibson, Maloney, Bond, Jessup and George.
Police—Burrough, Silvers and Gibson.
Fire—Southard, Burrough, Day, Devinney and Mills.
Council then adjourned until next Thursday evening, when the remainder of the standing committees will possibly be announced.
Chairman Jessup, of the Finance Committee, said, after the Council meeting, that he was unable to say just when the Finance Committee would get together and arrange to sell the bonds for paving the city’s six principal streets with asphalt. Mayor Hatch yesterday signed the ordinance authorizing the paving of the streets.
Counsel for the Committee of One Hundred were busy last night securing witnesses for the hearing before Supreme Court Commissioner Joline to-day, relative to the assault upon City Clerk Varrey last Friday, and the failure to obey the Supreme Court’s writ of certiorari. About thirty witnesses have been subpenaed by the Republicans.
City Clerk Varney got out of bed yesterday, but his physician states that he may not be able to leave his room for a week. Assistant City Clerk Young is improving rapidly and was about his home yesterday, but several days must elapse before he can resume his duties.
City Clerk Kramer will pay off all election officers to-morrow.
The papers in City Clerk Varney’s quo warranto proceedings against Harry C. Kramer were filed in the Supreme Court at Trenton yesterday.
Royal Welcome for Ex-Sheriff Baird
Philadelphia Inquirer —
ROYAL WELCOME FOR EX-SHERIFF BAIRD
New Jersey State Leader Meets With an Enthusiastic Reception in New York Harbor on His Return Home From Europe—Camden Men Extend Cordial Greeting
From a Staff Correspondent.
NEW YORK, Sept. 4.—Not since the time the lamented Sewell some years ago returned from the Emerald Isle, where he looked upon the graves of his ancestors, was perhaps such an enthusiastic welcome accorded a Jerseyman as that which greeted State Assessor David Baird, of Camden, on his return from Europe to-day. Every county in the State, from Sussex to Cape May, was represented among the two hundred and some odd friends of the returning voyager. Camden, of course, where was originated the idea of giving Mr. Baird a surprise welcome, sent the greater number of shouting admirers. They boarded a special train at Broad Street Station, Philadelphia, which left at 7 o’clock. Arriving in Jersey City shortly before 10 o’clock, they took the steamer Sea Gull, which had hardly swung away from the pier before the Fuerst Bismarck, on which Mr. Baird was returning, loomed up in the fog. The Camden City Band immediately struck up “Home Again,” while the two hundred men on the Sea Gull waved flags and hats in the direction of the big steamer. Soon Mr. Baird appeared on the upper deck, and a cheer went up from the smaller boat that drowned the band’s “Home, Sweet Home.” While the Bismarck warped her way into the dock the passengers on the Sea Gull, which kept close to the ocean liner, anchored up against an appetizing luncheon.
A committee headed by ex-Sheriff John Wesley Sell escorted the State Assessor from his steamer to the reception boat, where he shook the hand of each passenger. There was a trip up the Hudson, and about 4 o’clock the reception party, with Mr. Baird, left for South Jersey. “The Sheriff,” for everybody knows him as such, reached Camden about 7 o’clock, where another enthusiastic reception awaited him. Seldom has such a representative party of prominent Jerseymen gotten together on a like occasion. Among them were the following:
County Clerk Frank F. Patterson, Jr., former Sheriff John W. Sell, Judge Charles V. D. Joline, ex-Judge E. Ambler Armstrong, Prosecutor Frank T. Lloyd, Assistant Prosecutor F. Morse Archer, Postmaster Robert L. Barber, Senator William J. Bradley, Under Sheriff William D. Brown, Thomas P. Curley, Charles F. Currie, Register of Deeds Isaac W. Coles, Councilman E. W. Delacroix, John J. Burleigh, John Cherry, William Graeff, Assemblyman Theodore B. Gibbs, Assemblyman John S. Roberts, ex-Sheriff Henry J. West, ex-Senator George Pfeiffer, Postmaster Maurice B. Rudderow, of Merchantville; Irving Buckle, Samuel Wood, Jonathan Watson, City Treasurer Richard R. Miller, Street Commissioner Lewis H. Mohrman, David M. Anderson, G. William Barnard, Edward H. Chew, William Coffin, Dr. John B. Davis, Dr. H. H. Davis, Samuel S. Elfreth, Chief of Camden Fire Department; Councilman Charles H. Ellis, Levi E. Farnham, John Blowe, J. Palmer Earl, Samuel P. Jones, president of City Council; George W. Turner, City Solicitor Henry M. Snyder, Lewis Stehr, Assistant Postmaster Charles P. Sayrs, Henry J. Rumrille, William M. Palmer, Frank Peterson, Martin J. O’Brien, State Comptroller J. Willard Morgan, J. Alpheus McCracken, John R. McCabe, A. G. McCausland, superintendent of the Atlantic City Railroad; Joseph Kolb, John M. Kelly, E. E. Jefferies, Jacob S. Justice, Robert Jaggard, Harry L. Jones, former Senator Herbert W. Johnson, Upton S. Jefferys, William Kettler, John D. Courter, County Physician William C. Jones, County Collector Mahlon F. Ivins, City Controller Samuel G. Hufty, ex-Assemblyman Ephraim T. Gill and Francis R. Fithian.
Others who joined in giving Mr. Baird a royal welcome were United States Marshall Thomas J. Alcott, of Mt. Holly; Speaker of the House John Herner, of Palmyra; Assemblyman J. Bord Aris, of Woodbury; State Treasurer Franklin O. Briggs, Mayor Charles Y. Flanders, of Burlington, Clerk in Chancery Edward C. Stokes, ex-Senator Richard C. Miller, of Salem; Nathan W. C. Hars, of Burlington; Irving Maguire, of Palmyra; Internal Revenue Collector Isaac Moffett, Richard B. Reading, Senator George L. Shinn, of Ocean county; Judge Thomas W. Trenchard, of Cumberland; Factory Inspector John C. Ward, and many others.
Tax Receiver Sworn In
Philadelphia Inquirer —
TAX RECEIVER SWORN IN
John S. Roberts, Tax Receiver-elect, was sworn into office at the Camden City Hall yesterday afternoon, by Assistant City Clerk Morris Odell. It was purely a perfunctory affair, no one being present aside from a few personal friends of the new official. He will not assume charge of the office until January 1, when the present incumbent’s term expires.
Camden Notes
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN NOTES
** Hugh Kelly, James Harris and William Conway were held in $800 bail each by Recorder Stackhouse yesterday charged with beating Special Officer Samuel B. F. Alcott.
Camden’s Mayor Has Field to Himself
Philadelphia Inquirer —
CAMDEN’S MAYOR HAS FIELD TO HIMSELF
Candidates Named for City Offices by Camden Democrats and Republicans
Charles H. Ellis will have no opposition for renomination on the Republican ticket for a third term as Mayor of Camden. When the time for filing nomination papers expired last night, the Mayor’s petition was the only one in the hands of the city clerk. To run against the Mayor the Democrats yesterday afternoon placed in nomination Dr. William H. Kensinger, one of the two representatives in City Council from the Eleventh ward. He is the only aspirant to head the city ticket. The city and Councilmanic tickets nominated by the two parties follow:
Republican Ticket.—Mayor, Charles H. Ellis; Recorder, O. Glen Stackhouse; Receiver of Taxes, John S. Roberts; City Treasurer, George A. Frey; Board of Education (full term), William J. Fox, Edmund E. Read, Jr., Harry C. Sharp (to fill the unexpired term of C. K. Deacon), Harry C. Dole.
City Council—First ward, Charles H. Greer; Second ward David Jester; Third ward, Edward H. Way; Fourth ward, Harry R. Read; Fifth ward, Robert W. Gordon; Sixth ward, Joshua C. Haines; Seventh ward, Frank C. Vanhart; Eighth ward, J. William Mills; Ninth ward, Raymond L. Warren; Tenth ward (full term), C. K. Deacon; (unexpired term of Charles S. Wolverton), Daniel Smith, Henry S. Gordon; Eleventh ward, Frederick Finkeldey; Twelfth ward, Henry D. Longacre, J. Morton Pennock.
Democratic Ticket.—Mayor, Dr. William H. Kensinger; Recorder, John H. Irwin; Receiver of Taxes, Dr. Silas H. Quint; City Treasurer, John J. Welsh; Board of Education (full term), Alfred R. White, William H. Deets, Harry R. Barrett (unexpired term of C. K. Deacon), John Miller.
City Council—First ward, B. W. Poland; Second ward, Frank Shaw; Third ward, E. J. Kelleher; Fourth ward, Harry Richmond; Fifth ward, William C. King; Sixth ward, William Wynn; Seventh ward, George Clark; Eighth ward, George N. Stokes; Ninth ward, John F. Hurley; Tenth ward, George W. Evans; Eleventh ward, F. A. Finkeldey; Twelfth ward, Jonas Shaw.
The Republicans have Councilmanic contests in Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth wards. In the Eleventh, Mr. Finkeldey is after the nomination on both tickets. He is the lone candidate of the Democrats, but has opposition on the Republican ticket.
Third Ward Club Holds Fine Ball
Camden Post-Telegram —
Third Ward Club Holds Fine Ball
Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way Lead the Grand March of Republican Club
Latest Dances on Program
Despite the stormy weather Turner Hall was crowded last night, when the Third Ward Republican Club held its first annual dress ball. The affair was a complete success and the grand march was one of the prettiest ever held in the Verein auditorium.
It was after 10 o’clock when the grand march took place. It was led by Mr. and Mrs. J. Edward Way. The second couple were Councilman and Mrs. A. Benjamin Sparks. Following them were Councilman and Mrs. William H. Hall and Freeholder and Mrs. John T. Rodan. The marchers formed the figure “three” and the letter “W.” The march concluded with the couples sixteen to each file.
The hall was handsomely decorated in the national and municipal colors. There were thirty-one numbers to the program. Rushton’s orchestra furnished an excellent program. Among the numbers were the fox trot, one-step, caprice, two-step, hesitation, waltz, lancers and redowa.
The grand conductor was J. Edward Way and Councilman Sparks was assistant grand conductor. The members of the various committees to whose efforts the success of the ball was due were as follows:
Floor—Wm. H. Hall, Harry Hertline, Walter J. Stanton, John T. Rodan, Jesse Hillman, Lemuel J. Toy.
Door—Jesse Smith, chairman; Robert Whitley, Morris Steelman, Wm. Elberson, Samuel S. Bacon; officers, Albert Keaser, Harry Miller, Frank Smith.
Reception—John S. Roberts, chairman; William M. Fithian, W. J. A. Stanton, Julius R. Schaaf, George Cox, Edward Delacroix, Robert J. Garrison, Horace Hewlings, Frank Knitter, Sr., George Murray, Harry Selby, Harry C. Sharp, Robert Schroeder, James Vickers, Edwin D. Steen, William Horay, Clarence H. Thorn, Joseph H. Thorn, Joseph Croasdale, Wright Cox, Frank S. Fithian, George F. Hammond, Howard T. Harris, Frank Knitter, Jr., Albert J. Meyer, Harry Stowe, William Selby, Harry Vliet, H. P. Toy; printing and press committee, Wesley J. Stanton, Jesse Hillman.
Refreshments—Walter Madden, chairman; Moore B. Garrison, C. L. Wendell, William H. Dill, Charles Errickson, George Bowman, Edwin Fields, William Hartman, Ephraim Husted, Frank S. Ireton, Thomas Madden, Harry Pearce, Charles Smith, John Reid B. Borowakey, Charles Weaver, James Monohan, C. S. Woodward, George Madura, C. Allen Lloyd, Edward Livermore, William G. Finley, Henry Gercke, Benjamin C. Horan, Augustus Jans, Clarence Madden, James J. McDermott, George Schu, John McCarry, Edward Carey, James Millman, Thomas Dickinson, M. J. Riley, James Tivers.
The officers of the club are are [sic] as follows: President, A. B. Sparks; vice president, Wm. M. Fithian; second vice president, Elwin D. Steen; recording secretary, W. J. A. Stanton; financial secretary, John T. Rodan; treasurer, John S. Roberts; trustees, Julius R. Schaaf, Morris Steelman, Clarence R. Thorn.
Death of Murry May End Probe
Camden Courier —
DEATH OF MURRY MAY END PROBE
Grand Jury Meets This Afternoon—Third Ward Factions Declare a Truce
The death Sunday of George Murry, former city detective, while the Camden county Grand Jury was investigating charges that he had protected vice in the Third and Fifth wards, will probably end the proceedings contemplated against three other policemen, charged with like offenses. The Grand Jury met this afternoon and much depends upon the attitude that body will take. Prosecutor Charles A. Wolverton, it is understood, will leave it to the discretion of the jurors to determine whether the investigation should go on or be dropped, at least for the present.
Warring Factions Make Peace
Reports emanating from the Third ward today were to the effect that the warring Republican factions in the bailiwick had made peace since Murry’s death. A political reconciliation has been effected between Joseph Totarella, who opposed the Republican organization last year, and Councilman James Corea.
As a result of the truce, John S. Roberts, present committeeman from the Third ward, and assistant city clerk, will look after the upper end of the ward, while Corea and Totarella will form a coalition to “take care of” the lower section, over which Murry held sway.
Murry’s death was unexpected. He was of massive build and enjoyed perfect health. Coroner Holl and three physicians agreed that death was due to apoplexy superinduced by acute indigestion.
Roberts Is Out of City Position
Camden Courier —
ROBERTS IS OUT OF CITY POSITION
Assistant City Clerk Quit Job Following Charges of Grafting
John S. Roberts, second assistant city clerk, today relinquished his office to be succeeded by Earl R. Weintz, who for five years has been chief clerk in the office of City Treasurer George A. Frey.
Roberts resigned after charges he had accepted graft had been made against him before a special committee of City Council two weeks ago. He was accused in eleven affidavits and by as many witnesses with having received money for using his influence in having Third Ward residents named to the police and fire departments.
Weintz, his successor as deputy city clerk, is a resident of the Ninth Ward. It is expected the appointment will meet with unanimous favor when City Council meets tomorrow to accept Roberts’ resignation.
Roberts will leave Camden May 29 to make his permanent home in Margate City.
Roberts, since the investigation and the hearing, has steadfastly denied the graft charges. He has been a resident of Camden for forty years, thirty of which he has spent in public life, holding various political offices.
603 South 4th Street
John S. Roberts lived from the 1880s through the 1920s at his home at 603 South 4th Street.