The Newtown bee., 1905-10-27

France, Spain and Prussia. Earl John, the fourth from Margaret by another branch, finding his title to tine sovereignty disputed, put him. self at the head of the Norwegians. In honor of his illustrious ancestor, Earl Ronald, he took the latter's name, and it has since been borne by his descendants as surname. He mar ried the granddaughter of King Rob- ert Bruce, 2, in l4O9. His son, Earl John, was counselor of state to King James V. Sir Patrick Ronald, born in 154O, was one of those who assisted in the impeachment and imprison- ment of Queen Mary. His son, Pat rick, dropped the ''Sir," and married Mary, daughter of Sir Robert Stuart. Patrick's son, John, fought with the King against Oliver Cromwell, escap- ed to Scotland after the Restoration in 1859. His grandson, Lieut.. Gen. Sir John Ronalds, K. B., first added the final "s'' to his surname. He was a distinguished soldier in the British army, and died at Calcutta. A broth CT, James, grandfather of our subject, was born in 1752; he emigrated to America and married Margaret Ritch- ie, also native of Scotland He had seven children, of whom the fourth, Thomas A., will be spoken of farther on. The entire genealogy shows that mem berS of the ROnaldS family were prominent and worthy in the land of their birth, and were true Highland CTS. The records of the 29 genera tions have been well kept, and are looked upon with pride.
 Thomas Alexander ROnalds, father of Peter l.. Ronalds, was born in April, 178S, and died in 1885. He was suc- cessful merchant in New York, being engaged in the wholesale stationery business, and was highly respected among his associates as man of abil- ity and character. His wife, Maria Dorothea Ann Lorillard, who died May 20, 1847, was daughter of Pierre A. Lorillard, the famous tobacco man. ufacturer of New York City. This re- limited capital, opening a small shop in Chatham street, New York, and by patient, persevering effort he increas- ed his business until it became the largest in that line in the country. l As it Outgrew the resources of his first StabliShment he removed to a larger | factory in Wooster street, which aft erward was transferred to Jersey City. | He was never prominent politically, his business interests requiring his at tention to the exclusion of public mat ! UClo, UuU uClu dl luIluCHulAl pOOl- tiOn in the community. At his death his business descended to his only son,
 Peter, while his large estate was divid- ed among all of his surviving children, another having died in childhood. Our subjects mother was the eldest of the four daughters, the others be- ing Elenore (Mrs Spencer), Dora Ann Mrs John David Wolfe) aud Gather
 inc (who married the husband of her
 deceased sister, ElenOre).
 Thomas A. Ronalds and his wife
 had the following children: Mary,
 Margaret, and DOrothea Ann, none of
 whom married; Catherine, wife of J.
 Addison Thomas, a graduate of West
 Point; ElenOre, who married F'rede-
 rick A. Conkling, a brother of Hon
 childhood; Thomas Alexander: Peter
 Lorillard (l), who died in infancy: Pc
 ter Lorillard @, our subject; George LOrillard; and Mason, who died in childhood. Of these, Thomas AIeXan.
 der married Adeline Freeman, daugh- ter of Doctor Freeman, of Woodbridge,
 N J.; and George Lorillard married
 Miss Pauline Withaus.
 Peter l.. Ronalds, of whom this
 sketch more particularly relates, was g
 native of New York City, having beer l born September l0, 1926, at No. , Cliff : street, and received an excellent edu cation. After attending school fol some time at Rye, WeStchester Co.,, N . Y., under the instruction of Samue A. Berrian, he spent three years al