Robert Howard Melcher

b. circa 1 December 1878, d. 5 April 1930
  • Robert Howard Melcher was born circa 1 December 1878 in Maryland.
  • Lewis Monroe Melcher and Alice Lake appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in Newport, Rhode Island, at 54 Farewell Street. Other members of the household included Robert Howard Melcher. Also in the household were children Lewis Jr. (age 7), Charles (6) and Eban A. (3.)
  • He married Sarah Harriet Roller, daughter of John Roller and Lizzie Boesiger, circa 1905 in Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York.
  • Robert Howard Melcher and Sarah Harriet Roller appeared in the US federal census of 15 April 1910 in Port Allegany, McKean County, Pennsylvania, enumerated next to Sarah's parents. Other members of the household included Dorothy A. Melcher. Also in the household was daughter Florence (age 2.)
  • He was employed at a glass factory, according to the 1910 census.
  • Robert Howard Melcher registered for the draft on 12 September 1918 in McKean County, Pennsylvania, while living with his wife Sara in Port Allegany, and employed there as a farmer by W. M. Burleson.
  • Robert Howard Melcher and Sarah Harriet Roller appeared in the US federal census of 1 January 1920 in LIberty Township, McKean County, Pennsylvania. Other members of the household included Dorothy A. Melcher. Also in the household was son Howard R. (age 8.)
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1920 census.
  • Robert Howard Melcher and Sarah Harriet Roller appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 1354 Pierce Avenue. Also in the household were sons Howard (age 18) and Harold (7.)
  • Robert Howard Melcher died on 5 April 1930 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at Memorial Hospital.
  • He was interred at Fairview Cemetery, Port Allegany, McKean County, Pennsylvania.
  • The following appeared on 5 April 1930 in the Niagara Falls Gazette: Injured last Monday at noon in a collision of an automobile and a coal delivery truck at Pine avenue and Portage road, Robert Melcher, 51 years old, 1354 Pierce avenue, died at 7 o'clock this morning in Memorial hospital as a result of his injuries. Melcher suffered a skull fracture and severe lacerations of the head, face and body when he was thrown through a window of the cab of the truck when the collision occurred.
         The coal truck was driven by Emory Phipps, 1358 Pierce avenue, and Melcher was riding with him. The automobile, driven by William L. Rohrbach, of 147 Fordham drive, Buffalo, struck the truck square on one side and turned the truck over. Phipps and Rohrbach were only slightly bruised. Rohrbach's car, a new coupe that had been driven only a few hundred miles, was practically demolished in the collision.
         An autopsy will be conducted today at the ---?pple funeral chapel. The body will be taken to Port Allegany, Pa., for burial Monday.
         Mr. Melcher is survived by his wife, Sarah, one daughter, Mrs. John Hoffman, and two sons, Howard and Harold Melcher, all of this city; two sisters, Mrs. ------- Thompson, of Lockport, and Mrs. Bessie Roller, this city; one brother, Lewis Melcher, of Lockport.
  • Last Edited: 24 Nov 2014

Family: Sarah Harriet Roller b. 21 September 1883, d. 3 July 1955