Robert Slater

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Robert Slater

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Robert SLATER, prominently and actively identified with the business interests of Pompton, also an active factor in its social activities, a man of energy and enterprise, integrity and worth, was born in Orange, New Jersey, July 14, 1844, son of Joseph and Sarah (MOOREHOUSE) SLATER.

Joseph SLATER (father) was born in Oldham, England, December 29, 1804, died September 1, 1871, at his home on the banks of the Pequannock river, near Pompton, New Jersey. He came to the United States in early life, locating first in Bloomfield, New Jersey, where he learned the trade of cloth-making, and he conducted a successful business in that line at Orange, New Jersey, where he later removed. In 1849 he located in Pompton, New Jersey, and engaged in the same business until 1861, when he established a manufactory for the cutting and renovating of furs, continuing along the same line for the remainder of his life. He married Sarah MOOREHOUSE, born in Yorkshire, England, December 1, 1807, died January 27, 1873. Children: 1. Martha, wife of Henry D. SMITH, of Pompton, New Jersey. Joseph, deceased, who was a resident of Newark, New Jersey. 3. Harriet, deceased, who was the wife of William BAXTER. 4. Robert, of whom further.

Robert SLATER was five years of age when his parents removed to Pompton, and his education was achieved in the schools of that section. He learned the trade of manufacturing hatter’s furs in his father’s establishment, becoming thoroughly proficient in every branch, and was associated with his father until the death of the latter, since which time he has been the owner and operator of the plant, which is equipped with automatic machines, gives employment to four men, and they manufacture a large quantity of hatter’s fur for J. B. Stetson, the well known hatter. The old mill, connected with the plant, is one of the landmarks of that section of Morris county on account of its antiquity. Mr. SLATER, although careful and conservative in his methods, is also progressive and enterprising to a certain extent, deriving a substantial income from his business, which is increasing in volume year by year. He attends the Reformed church in Pompton, and has cast his vote for the candidates of the Republican party since attaining his majority.

Mr. SLATER married, in December, 1864, Elizabeth FRANCISCO, born September 10, 1848, daughter of Pearson S. and Elizabeth (FREDERICKS) FRANCISCO, and grand-daughter of P. H. FREDERICKS. Children: 1. Otis R., born September 10, 1871; assists his father in the management of his business; married Abbie OGDEN; one child, Sarah, born April 8, 1904. 2. Ellis, born July 16, 1873. The SLATER homestead, equipped with everything needful for the comfort of its inmates, is one of the most attractive places in the vicinity of Pompton, and the family hold the respect and esteem of all with whom they are brought in contact.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)