Arthur Nathaniel Roe
(1853-1931)

A. N. Roe was born before the Civil War, lived during a period of expansion and industrial growth as America took her place as a world power, saw the first World War and died during the Great Depression. He was a creative and innovative visionary seeing where a need was developing and creating businesses to take advantage of the need. At the same time he had a love for sports, music and was devoted to his church.

A.N. as a boy

Born Arthur Nathaniel, as recorded in the Roe Family Bible, on August 9,1853 at Brookdale Farm in Branchville. His parents were Nathan Roe and Elizabeth Dunning. He was the second of four children with a younger brother George and two sisters - Ellen Maria and Harriet Estelle. Neither of the girls married.

The Roe family settled in the Augusta-Branchville area before 1800 migrating south from Orange County, New York. They owned a large tract of land from the Branchville line south to include much of Augusta. A.N.'s great grandfather George Roe owned about 600 acres. As the family grew the property was divided; Brookdale Farm, which A.N. would inherit, was located at the south end of Branchville. It comprised 132 acres of fertile land; one of the most valuable tracts in the county. The Frankford Township school would later be built on a part of the farm.

A.N.'s early life likely involved farm chores, school at the Branchville Academy, church and sports. During his youth Crisman bought the flour mill in Branchville expanding that industry; when he was four the Branchville Presbyterian Church was built; and when he was 16 in 1869 the railroad was extended to town. The railroad would play an important role in his business decisions.

At the age of 14, when the Rev. George Lloyd was pastor, he became the Presbyterian Church church organist. His parents were very active in the church and he may have learned to play at an early age from his mother. He obviously had an ear for music.

His father Nathan died in 1876 at the age of only 51 leaving A.N. the family farm. Nathan at the time was only 23 and presumably his older brother George had his own farm. Brookdale was a 132 acre dairy farm and it seems to have included the property now owned by the Catholic Church and Frankford Township Schools, as well as The Pines. A.N.'s mother lived another 32 years and likely remained on the farm most of that time.

Early photo of Brookdale Farm. The dirt road going through the center of the farm was the main road from Augusta to Branchville Center and points north.

The Speichers

The year after he inherited the farm A.N. married Mary Zilpha Speicher on February 7, 1877. He was 23 and she was 21.

A.N. and Zilpha had 4 children:

A.N. and children Ernest, Cora, Eva, and Irving about 1902.

Zilpha's father was John Sebastian Speicher (1828-1892) who was born in Bavaria, Germany. With his wife Caroline Eichinger he came to New Jersey about 1848 where his children were born. They lived in Branchville on Church Hill. He worked as a skilled harness maker having served a seven year apprenticeship in Germany. John died at age 64 from a sidewalk fall as a result of attacks of dizziness.

Sadly Zilpha died of gastna fever on December 18, 1891 at the age 36 when Ernest was just 7.

Sports

A.N. in mid life

A.N. in his younger days was considered a very good baseball player.

He played third base on the Sussex Independents from the middle 1870's to the early 1880's. Also on the team was Frank Roe, his distant cousin and future business partner.

According to Dr. Wolf, who wrote to the New Jersey Herald on A. N.'s death, ‘Artie' was part of perhaps the best team in the county. "Artie Roe handled the hot shots at the difficult corner like a professional and could get them over to first very fast."

He remained a baseball fan for life and no doubt influenced his son Ernest, who also played and coached.

The Feed Store

With the arrival of the railroad Branchville became a hub for local farmers, tourists and traveling businessmen. A number of hotels were built and the town grew. A.N. saw opportunities and moved from farming into business.

Branchville Center in 1905

In 1888 or 1890, when he was about 36, he started the A. N. Roe Company, the first feed store in the county. It was located near the Branchville railroad station. A. N. was a pioneer in the feed business purchasing the first carload of dairy feed that was bought in the west and shipped east. He was a wholesale dealer in feed, grain, salt, flour, baled shavings, fertilizer, and poultry supplies according to an ad from the times.

He brought in his distant cousin Frank Roe and his oldest son Irving to help with the business. Frank had a large and successful dairy farm in Augusta. Ernest joined the company as well when he turned 21 in 1905.

By the mid 1900's A.N. was getting new ideas and with the feed business in good hands began to plan a summer resort on part of his property.

The Pines

With the arrival of the railroad the lakes and mountains north of town began to attract tourists, campers, and outdoorsmen. The road through Culver's Gap, just two miles from town, crossed the Appalachian Trail and was the main route north. Vacationers took the train from the cities to the end of the line where they could get a good meal and spend the night before being met by horse and wagon to take them to their destination. Branchville boomed and Culvermere was built in 1892 taking advantage of the large local lake, which also supported the thriving mills in town.

The Pines

At about the same time, 1904-1910, many changes were taking place in town. The National Bank of Branchville was formed as well as a chapter of the Grange. Lodomo Hall was built bringing in entertainment and Branchville Electric brought electricity to town.

In 1900, while still overseeing the feed company, A. N. built a bungalow on 50 acres of family property behind the cemetery and not far from Brookdale Farm. That same year on June 29, 1900, at age 46 he took as his second wife Hannah Westbrook Williamson. They liked to travel and took full advantage of the train. From a December 1904 newspaper clippings: "After Thanksgiving A.N. Roe closed their summer home at The Pines after a most successful season and boarded in town. He then left for sunny Florida before Christmas where it was his intention to reside for the winter. After he leased a cottage his wife would join him."

Pines Golf Course

Seeing the success of others he developed the property into the 'Pines' becoming the closest resort to Branchville and a popular summer vacation spot. He spent many months planning and beautifying the surroundings. By his insistent efforts, and against the belief of most people, he piped water from the Crisman Reservoir to the Pines, where his efforts were rewarded when the beautiful Lake of the Woods was formed. He made most of the tile to pipe the water himself. The Pines was known for its crystal spring water and guests enjoyed the lake, golf course and cliffs.

Sometime during this period he sold the feed business to Frank and Ernest, who then changed the name to just ‘The Roe Company' and moved the business to another part of the rail yard and added a section. They would eventually sell to Stires and Roy.

In March of 1908 A. N. purchased a 10-acre property from William W. Dewitt for $250, formally owned by Henry Wells in 1880. The only reference point is Peter Morris farm and the Long Bridge so perhaps it is north of town and related to bringing water to the Pines.

In 1909 he passed the homestead property to his son Irving, who seems to have left the feed store to return to farming.

Lake of the Woods in Winter

From an ad in a 1913 resorts booklet: "The Pines, owned by A. N. Roe, accommodates 60 people and is located in a grove of white pines. There are boats on three lakes close to the house, beautiful scenery, electric light, baths, and home-grown table supplies. The Pines opens on May 1. The rates from July 1 to Labor Day are $8 to $11 per week; other months are $8."

A.N.'s daughter Cora and her husband Stephen Smith joined him and later managed the resort. It was a favorite of botany and birding associations. It's also known that they had a Airedale dog at The Pines named Johnny Rankin.

In later years the resort hotel would become The Pines retirement home. In 1964 it was purchased by the Mark family who wanted to retain the original charm of the estate.

Church

As mentioned the Presbyterian Church in Branchville was built in 1857. Prior to that date the family worshiped in Augusta. A. N.'s father Nathan was very active in the church as choir director and superintendent of the Sunday School.

Presbyterian Church

A. N. became the church organist at the age of 14 and later was both chorister and organist. His father and grandfather having retired from service sat in the front rows supporting him until their death about 1876.

When a new pipe organ was needed it was mainly through the efforts of A. N., who seemed never to give up once he had undertaken a project, the big sum of $1,000 was reached to buy a Jardine organ, one of the best known makes of the day.

A ‘Singing School' was held during winter when the farmers had less to do to train new voices for the choir. The school was a social center too. A. N. established a large well trained choir performing with many music activities in the community. As older members retired and it became more difficult to fill positions A. N. brought in his 12 year old sister Estelle, who became their soprano until she moved away to study and teach.

A. N. kept on faithfully as long as his mother lived. When she passed in 1908 he resigned closing a service of almost 40 years. During most of his service to the church Rev. George Lloyd, the well known abolitionist, was pastor.

Later Years

A.N. in his 70's

According to his grandson Ross, A.N. was something of a ‘health nut' and used to spend winters in Hawaii with his sister Estelle.

When A.N. became ill he spent his last years with his daughter Cora and her husband in Branchville. His wife Hannah died on February 2, 1931 and A.N. followed her in September. He is buried with his wives in the Roe Circle in the Branchville Cemetery. Their stone reads ‘ARTHUR N. ROE 1853-1931' 'M. ZILPHA SPEICHER, WIFE OF ARTHUR N. ROE 1855-1891'

A.N. was one of a number of hard working, creative businessmen who helped to transform Branchville from a quiet farm town to, at least for a time, a thriving center of manufacturing, business and tourism. He helped his children Irving, Ernest and Cora also succeed in business, no doubt providing counsel and contacts as they too joined the business community.

A.N.'s grave	Zilpha's grave