Roantree, Robert, 1844-1914

ROANTREE, WRIGHT, MOLSER

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 11/8/2015 at 08:55:03

From the Rock Valley Bee, November 20, 1914:

ROBERT ROANTREE DEAD

Robert Roantree, for a number of years a resident and businessman of Rock Valley, died Wednesday morning, Nov. 18, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. E. Rounds, at Twin Falls, Idaho.

During the last few years that Mr. Roantree lived here his health was poor and last January he removed to Hot Springs, S.D., in hopes that his health might be improved but he continued to fail there. A few months ago he and Mrs. Roantree went to Twin Falls and from that time on he failed continually until the final summons came. Mr. Roantree was past seventy years of age. Besides his wife he leaves two children, Mrs. H.E. Rounds of Twin Falls and Robert Roantree, Jr. of Parker, S.D.

Mr. Roantree was manager of the Rock Valley mill for several years. He was a shrewd businessman and his influence was felt among the business interests of Rock Valley. He was also prominent in social circles. He was a member of several different lodges among which were the Masonic, I.O.O.F., K.P., Eastern Star, and Rebekah lodges. He was a man who could be trusted implicitly as friend. He was ever ready to do a favor and help those in need. He was a kind and loving husband and father.

We are not in possession of further particulars, but will publish his obituary later. Funeral services will be held at Twin Falls Friday. The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of many friends.

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From the Rock Valley Bee, December 4, 1914:

ROBERT ROANTREE

Two weeks ago the Bee gave a brief account of the death of Robert Roantree which occurred at the home of his daughter, Mrs. H. E. Rounds, at Twin Falls, Idaho, Nov. 18, 1914. The deceased had lived in Rock Valley being engaged in the milling business of the Rock Valley Mills for about fifteen years. He was prominent in business and social circles of this place as well as in other towns where he has lived. He was a faithful and loyal member of several lodges among which were the Masonic, Eastern Star, Odd Fellows, Rebekah, and K.P. [Knights of Pythias] lodges. He was also a member of the consistory at Yankton, S.D. He was a charter member of most of these lodges and may almost be said to be the founder of some of the local organizations.

His last illness dates from July 4, 1914 at Hot Springs, S.D., where he had removed to from Rock Valley last January. He was taken to Twin Falls and for a short time rallied, but soon began to fail again and continued to grow worse until he took to his bed twelve days before his death. A few days later it was discovered that he had leakage of the heart. On the morning of Nov. 18 he was seized with a severe coughing spell, and though he recovered from that the exertion proved too much for his weakened heart, which without further warning ceased to beat.

The subject of this sketch was born in Middletown, England, July 1844, and landed in this country in February, 1855. He learned his trade as miller in Morristown, N.Y., from 1860 to 1863. Two years later he went to Milwaukee, Wis. He was married in 1868 to Miss Sophia Wright at East Troy, Wis. She died in 1873 and he was again married in 1878 to Miss Clara Molser of Milwaukee. He came to Rock Valley in 1887. Later he moved to Reinbeck and a year later returned to Rock Valley. Later he went to LeMars and in 1894 to Mt. Vernon, S.D. The last eight or nine years of his life before he went to Hot Springs were spent in Rock Valley.

Funeral services were held at Twin Falls Nov. 20 and a large number of friends and many floral tributes were in evidence. The Local I.O.O.F., A.F. and A.M., Rebekah, and O.E.S. and the Consistory members all sent floral pieces, as well as the Twentieth Century Club, Chapter D.P.E.O. of the Home Missionary Society, and individual offerings from neighbors and personal friends. Two beautiful sheaves of chrysanthemums represented Rock Valley lodge I.O.O.F. and A.F. and A.M. and a beautiful boquet [bouquet] of chrysanthemums received from Starlight Chapter O.E.S. about two weeks before his death pleased him greatly.

(The obit includes a photograph. It is followed by Resolutions of Sympathy from Rock Valley Lodge No. 496 and from Rebekah Lodge No. 247.)