OBITUARIES
SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH R
RETURN
TO OBITUARY INDEX
Links will be working soon.
If you would like to donate an obituary, please contact Denise.
ROBERTS, Dr. David (submitted by M. Stone)
"At South Boston, 15th inst., of congestion of the brain,
Dr. David
Roberts, 36 years.
"He leaves a wife and three children to mourn the loss of
a kind husband and father. He was a physician of quite an extensive
practice and his death will be deeply felt by his patients and
large circle of friends."
[From the Boston Herald, 17 August 1863, page 1. Dr. David Roberts
was born in Mallwyd, Wales in 1827, the son of David Roberts
and Catherine Humphrey Roberts, and died in South Boston 15 August
1863]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The New Bedford Evening Standard
Friday, December 1, 1916
LONG IN BUSINESS
John Alexander Ruggles, Jr. Dies Suddenly After Brief
Illness
Advertising Manager of Steiger, Dudgeon Company, for Many
Years --
Leader in Musical Affairs --
Formed Firm of Ruggles & Ellison.
John A. Ruggles, Jr., one of New Bedford's leading men of
business,
advertising and buyer for the Steiger, Dudgeon Company in this
city,
and for many years a leader in musical affairs, died at his home,
78
Chestnut Street, late Wednesday night of heart disease. His death
was a
shock to his many friends, for, although he had been ill for
a few days,
his condition was not thought to be serious.
Mr. Ruggles was born in this city. His first employment was
carrying
papers, as a boy. Later he was employed by the late Edward Haskell
and afterward by Haskell & Tripp for a period of twenty years.
This
firm was in the dry goods business the southeast corner of Purchase
and
Williams streets. Later he formed a partnership with Henry Ellison
as
the firm of Ruggles & Ellison, and leased the Whiting store
in Union
Street, and for about ten years conducted a dry goods store there.
In March, 1912, Mr. Ruggles became manager for the J. V. Spare
company, and when the Steiger, Dudgeon company acquired the Spare
company's stock about a year ago, Mr. Ruggles returned as advertising
manager of the Steiger store.
For about 39 years, Mr. Ruggles has been prominent in musical
circles,
and it was through his energy and enthusiasm that the Choral
society
was kept alive for a long period. As director he rehearsed the
members
of the society and bore the brunt of many concerts. Within the
last few
years, he had given The Messiah with success at Christmas time,
either
in New Bedford Theater or the Pleasant Street M. E. Church. At
this
church he was chorister for a great many years, and during his
service
he made his reputation as director of a chorus. He was one of
a few
who was able to make a volunteer chorus choir a success, and
it was his
enthusiastic interest in his work that kept his associates from
dropping
out. Musical undertakings were his diversion, but he worked as
loyally
and sincerely as though they were his business, and nothing that
he was
identified with was allowed to be a failure.
Mr. Ruggles was always deeply interested in the moral life
of the city
and for many years had been an attendant at the Pleasant Street
church
and active in its work. At the time of his death, he was one
of the
trustees of that church, as well as chorister.
Mr. Ruggles is survived by a widow, who was Miss Clara Wilde,
of
Fairhaven, and a son, John Wilde Ruggles.
As obituaries are submitted,
they will be input as time permits. Thanks for helping others.
