The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1912-12-10
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
HONORS Mr.. ROBERTS
State Organization Dep|ores
Death Of Its President.

Death Of Its President.
At a recent meeting of the New Jer
sey Historical society the following
minute regarding the death of the
president of the society, Jonathan w
Roberts, was adopted
1t is no common sorrow that has
'befallen the New Jersey Historical
society In the death of its venerable
and venerated president, Jonathan
William Roberts, November list, 1912
He has been so thoroughly identified
with the progress of the society
since he became a member, January
18th, 1885, and he has become Sc
personallysfamiliar to the members, as
to be looked upon more as friend
than as one of our officers. He
was elected one of the vice-presidents
at the annual meeting, in January
1896, and served also as chairman
of the executive committee for that
year. At the annual meeting May
10th, 1897, a special tribute was paid
him by the society for his exceeding
ly efficient service in that position.
AT the annual meeting on November
9th. 1897, he was appointed chairman
of the committee on library, and be-
cams the first patron of the society
by the payment of $1,000. In 1897,
he was again chosen one. of the vice
presidents, and was again appointed
chairman of the library committee,
serving as such for the years 1898.
80, and 1S9q-00. Upon the death OF
General William S. Stryker, November
l4th, 1900, Mr.. Roberts was chosen
his successor, retaining the Office foi
only one year. when he urged the
election of the late Senator John r.
Dryden to be the head of the soci.
ETY.. In 1901-02, he served as n mem
Der of the finance committee. Tn
1903, Senator DRYDEN having declined
ia reelection Mr.. Roberts was per
suaded to resume the presidency
which office he thereafter retained.
The society met for the first time
in its present home, Nav 29th. 1901
under the auspices of the Woman's
branch, on which epochal occasion q
very happy address was made by Mr.
Roberts. As president OF the society
he was thoroughly business-like
earnest and enthusiastic, an enthn
siasm which he communicated with
great success to others. The soci
city increased in its membership BY
leaps and bounds, with a correspond
ing progress in its material welfare
Although in account of his physical
disability 7 &c has not been able tC
attend the meetings for the last two
or three years, We felt that his heart
was always with us, and at each an
nual meeting the members took great
pleasure in directing ahe greetings o.
the society fc be telegfaphed to him
greetings which he always received
with great pleasure.
He was noted for his determine
ton to have the business of che soci
ETY. conducted. in the most efficient
way in every respect. 1t was large
ly due to him that the present con
stitution was adopted, in 1896, thai
the Womans branch was organized
and a systematic canvass inauguratef
for new members, all of which move
ments resulted in a larger success foi
the society
"He was an enthusiastic advocate
and promoter of the steps by which
the control of the Newark Library as
sociation property was acquired fol
this society.
''He was wont to remark in a dep
recatory way, that he was no historian
but believed in prosecuting hisfcr
ical work in the manner best cal
culated to produce permanent results
But Mr.. Roberts was the very per
sonification of American history him
self. Born September 1st, 1921, il
Hartford, Conn, of line of New
England ancestry representing the
best traditions of our country, during
his lifetime he witnessed the develop
ment of the United States in a mar
velous degree. In his quiet way he
took an active part in this evolution
as merchant in the dry goods house
Of Amos r. Emo, which he entered
when only twenty-four, becoming g
partner two years later, passing
through the throes of the Civil War
when the debts due the firm by men
in the south, amounting to hundreds
of thousands of dollars, were repu
dated or confiscated by the Confed
crate government; retiring in 1867
on account Of i'll health, and for for.
sy-five years thereafter enjoying .
delightful otium cum dignitate, OF
his home at Morris Plains. There
he entered into the local activities oil
the Deighborhood, becoming a useful
member and officer of the Presby.
terian church at Morristown, and tax
ing a helping part in every good
work for the benefit of his neighbors
and his fellow beings in general
None who have enjoyed his hospitality
there can ever forget the picture OF
that delightfully."- situated home. with
its aspect of perfect peace and quiet,
the western hills adorned with 70.
5eate hues at the setting of the sun,
suggestive of his own beautiful de
clining years, crowned with the low
ing regard of his host of friends, who
were wont to visit that charming re-
sort to gain new inspiration for life's
work, and new visions of the peace
that crowns life we'll spent. 1t
was a benediction to see him these
last years, when, disabled as he was,
but with a mind clear and unclouded,
he spoke words Of cheer and eoun-
sci to those about him, Inspiring all
with his own inimitable optimism.
..And so, 'diligent in business, faith.
ful in spirit, serving the Lord he
kept up his interest in life, and in
this society, to the last.
Calmly he look'd on either life,
and here