 1890 - 1940
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| Born |
7 Oct 1890 [1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8] |
| Gender |
Male |
| Died |
11 May 1940 |
Stone Harbor, NJ  [5, 6, 8, 9] |
| Buried |
14 May 1940 |
Upper Darby, PA [5, 8, 9] |
| Person ID |
I90 |
Rudolph |
| Last Modified |
29 Jan 2013 |
| Father |
John Mason Rudolph, b. 10 Jan 1860, d. 16 Jun 1900, Ocean Grove, NJ |
| Mother |
Emma Louise Erskine, b. 4 Dec 1862, Philadelphia, PA , d. 17 Feb 1951, Trenton, NJ |
| Married |
16 Jun 1881 |
| Family ID |
F33 |
Group Sheet |
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Photos
» Slide Show
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 | Robert Erskine Rudolph (1890-1940) as a baby
Back of photo:
Uncle Bert E. Rudolph
From the photo collection of Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | Robert Erskine Rudolph (1890-1940) as a baby
Back of photo:
Uncle Bert Rudolph
From the photo collection of Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | Robert Erskine Rudolph (1890-1940) as a baby
Back of photo:
Bert E. Rudolph
From the photo collection of Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | Robert Erskine Rudolph (1890-1940) as a baby
Back of photo:
Bert E. Rudolph
From the photo collection of Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | The Rudolph Family in approximately 1895
Back of photo: In the handwriting of Robert Erskine Rudolph (b. 1912): Daddy, His Father, Grandma, Bert
Ernest John Rudolph (Daddy) is standing at the back left; his brother Robert Erskine Rudolph (Bert) is seated on the steps; their parents Emma Louise Erskine and John Mason Rudolph are on the right; the other two women have not been identified.
Bert Erskine Rudolph was born in 1890. His father John Mason Rudolph died in 1900. So the photo was taken in the 1890s. Bert looks to be about five years old in the photo, so the photo could have been taken around 1895.
Elizabeth Jane Thorpe recalls that they had a summer beach cottage on the shore at Asbury Park in the New Jersey Pine Barrons. This photo might be it.
You can roll the mouse over each person's face to see their name, then click on them to see their other photos.
From the photo collection of John Mason Rudolph Jr. |
 | Robert Erskine Rudolph (1890-1940)
Back of photo is blank
From the photo collection of Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | Robert Erskine Rudolph (1890-1940)
Back of photo:
Bert E. Rudolph
From the photo collection of Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | Emma Louise Erskine (1862-1951) and her two sons
Back of photograph says:
Grandma Johnson
Daddy - Ernest J. Rudolph
Uncle Bert
Taken on Race St.
The handwritting appears to be that of Robert Erskine Rudolph, identifying his grandmother, father and uncle. |
 | 21st Birthday Celebration for Ernest John Rudolph in 1903
You can hover your mouse over the identified people in this photo to see some quick information about them including their name, then click to go to their individual page if you'd like to see more about them. Although only ten people in this 1903 photo have been identified, the photo ties together several threads of the Rudolph family. Additions and corrections to the story below are very welcomed!
Ernest John Rudolph, who's 21st birthday is being celebrated, does not look very happy. His father John Mason Rudolph had passed away less than three years before. Ernest had been forced to leave Swarthmore College where he had been attending. The family wants Ernest to marry one of the young women in the photo, but Ernest does not wish too. Two and half years later he marries Julia Ann Taylor, whose family from Missouri is not welcome in the East because they had fought vigorously against the Union, never accepting the Missouri Compromise. Perhaps a little too central to the group in the photo is Ernest's younger brother Bert, the doted-upon son. Bert is directly in front of Ernest's mom and right next to their grandmother, Julia Klein Hornberger.
Several of Ernest's aunts, uncles and cousins are present. His father's older brother Samuel Fogg Rudolph is there with his wife Mary Hansell. His first cousin Thomas Rudolph, Samuel's son, is there with his wife Annie Hearst. His mother's sister Mamie Erskine is there with her husband Frank Vache.
There are several family heirlooms in the photo. The floral picture on the wall was painted by Emma Louise Erskine who was an artist. A search for this painting is underway. Emma Louise Erskine and her sister Mary Erskine purchased a pair of matching clocks. Emma's clock can be seen in the photo. The family china can be seen on the table. If you zoom in on the plates, you can see that there are twelve plates in a stack on the table, and there are still twelve plates today 110 years later. Finally, the Rudolph family "R" glasses can also be seen on the table. The clock, plates and glasses are currently held by Robert Charles Rudolph.
There were four successive generations of Rudolphs who were consecutive superintendents or caretakers of the Friends' Southwestern Burial Ground at 236 Powell Lane, Upper Darby, PA. The second and third of those generations are in this photo.
1) The first generation was Thomas Rudolph (1824 - 1887), who became caretaker in 1872 and held the position until his death in 1887. His wife was Sarah Ann Fogg.
2) The second generation was Samuel Fogg Rudolph (1848 - 1933), who became caretaker upon his father's death in 1887. He is the tall balding man standing in front of the door frame with his eyes closed. Samuel probably held the position of caretaker when this photo was taken in 1903. His wife Mary S. Hansell is seated at the table.
3) The third generation to serve as caretaker was Thomas Rudolph (1875 - 1941). Thomas was Ernest John's first cousin. Thomas is in the photo standing just in front of and to the left of his father Samuel. His wife Anna Hearst or Annie is standing to the right of Emma Louise Erskine with her eyes closed. Upon her husband Thomas' death in 1941, Annie served as caretaker for a few years until her son, who had been born while they lived in the caretaker's house at 236 Powell Lane five years before this photo was taken, took over care of the cemetery from her.
4) The fourth Rudolph to serve as consecutive caretaker was Samuel Fogg Rudolph (1898 - 1961). He was married to Ruth Martin Murray, whose brother Jim Murray took over as caretaker upon Samuel's death.
All four of these consecutive Rudolph caretakers, and their four wives including Annie who held the position for a while, are buried in the Friend's Southwestern Burial Ground. You can click to their individual webpages to see photos of their headstones and locations.
This 1903 photo has been restored and is in the photo collection of Robert C Rudolph. |
 | Robert Erskine Rudolph (1890-1940)
Bert Rudolph in uniform during WW I, when he was in the Medical Corps. This photograph was identified as being Bert by Elizabeth Jane Thorpe in June 1997.
From the photo collection of Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | Bert Erskine Rudolph - WWI - Outside Petersburg, VA
From the photo collection of John Mason Rudolph Jr. |
 | Bert Erskine Rudolph
Handwriting on back: Robert Erskine Rudolph from Uncle Bert
From the photo collection of John Mason Rudolph Jr. |
 | Robert Erskine Rudolph (1890-1940)
Back of photo: Bert Rudolph, Army Medical Corps, WW1
From the photo collection of John Frederick Brenner from Robert Hunsperger 07 Nov 1997 |
 | Bert Erskine Rudolph in front of the Rudolph Residence at StoneHarbor, NJ
Rear of photo:
Dearly beloved late brother of Ernest Rudolph
Bert Rudolph
died May 11th, 1940 suddenly
From the photo collection of John Frederick Brenner from Robert Hunsperger |
Histories
» Slide Show
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 | Bert Rudolph 1939 and 1940 membership cards to the Masonic Club of Stone Harbor, City of Cape May courtesies, Avalon Theatre and Park Theatre of Stone Harbor
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 | Business card of Bert. Erskine Rudolph
His obituary mentions that he had 300 people working for him. |
 | Newspaper article about Bert E. Rudolph being named mayor of Stone Harbor, NJ
RUDOLPH NAMED MAYOR BY HARBOR COUNCIL
Acting Mayor Appointed in Surprise Move; Will Be Candidate in Fall
JOHN GASH APPOINTED TO SEAT IN COUNCIL
Stone Harbor - In a surprise move, Bert E. Rudolph, acting Mayor of Stone Harbor since the death of Mayor H. Irvin Gerhart in February, was elected Mayor of this resort Friday evening at an otherwise routine meeting of Council.
Mr. Rudolph took over the executive duties of the Borough at the March meeting, by reason of his office as President of Council.
Coming as a surprise to the spectators, who had felt Mr. Rudolph would continue as acting Mayor until the fall election, Councilman James E. McCaughey arose and offered the motion to make Mr. Rudolph Mayor. Councilman John G. Bucher promptly seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous. Borough Solicitor Lewis T. Stevens immediately administered oath of office.
Will Run in Fall For Unexpired Term
Mr. Rudolph thanked members of Council, tendered his resignation as a Councilman, and announced his candidacy for the mayoralty in the fall election for the remaining year in the late Mr. Gerhert's term. He will serve as Mayor, under the present appointment, until December 31.
John F. Gash, cottager for many years and very active in the Yacht Club of Stone Harb...
TOO LATE
Mother of Mayor Doesn't See Him Seated
Stone Harbor. - The No. 1 Spectator at the monthly sessions of the Borough Council missed the biggest moment of them all last Friday night.
Mrs. Johnson, mother of Mayor Bert E. Rudolph, has religiously attended Council meetings for years, winter and summer. The only time she was not in her familiar seat near Council desk was when she was too ill to go out
Last Friday evening, Mr. Rudolph, in a surprise move, was elected mayor and sworn into office. Mrs. Johnson arrived just too late. She had been across the street attending a service at the Lutheran church.
Original newspaper article cared for by Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | Newspaper article from the Beach Reporter of November 11, 1939 about Bert E. Rudolph being elected mayor of Stone Harbor, NJ
STONE HARBOR ELECTS MAYOR, 3 COUNCILMEN
Republican Candidates Have No Opposition; Voting Proves Lighter Than County Average
...Mayor Bert E. Rudolph, unopposed on the Republican Ticket, was elected to fill the unexpired term of the late Mayor H. Irvin Gerhart at Stone Harbor. He will seek election to a full term next fall
Stone Harbor - A Mayor and three Councilmen, already in office, were re-elected Tuesday in this resort where voters think the Republicans are doing so fine a job they don't even nominate Democratic opponents.
A smaller percentage of voters actually turned out at the polls here than for the county as a whole. Nearly three-quarters of the county's registered voters marked ballots, but scarcely more than half of Stone Harbor's eligible voters indicated there choice.
Bert E. Rudolph, member of Council for eight years, prior to succeeding Mayor H. Irvin Gerhart upon his death early this year, was elected to fill the unexpired term of the late executive. That means he must run again for a full term next year.
Councilmen John R. Biggs and John F. Gash were elected to full terms. Gash was recently appointed to fill the vacancy in Council caused by Rudolph's elevation to mayoralty.
Henry P. Miller, appointed several months ago to succeed the late Councilman Thomas F. Gowen, was elected to complete the unexpired term.
Borough Recorder John W. Nace was elected justice of the peace without opposition.
The five candidates received the following vote: Rudolph, 217; Biggs, 205; Gash, 201; Miller, 194 and Nace 198.
Original newspaper article cared for by Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | Newspaper article about the death of Mayor Bert E. Rudolph
BERT E. RUDOLPH DIES; STONE HARBOR MAYOR
Insurance Company Executive Is Victim of Stroke
Bert E. Rudolph, insurance company executive, died of a stroke early today at his summer home at Stone Harbor, where he was mayor. He was 49.
Mr. Rudolph was manager of the weekly industrial department of the National Accident & Health Insurance Co., 244 S. 8th st. He was also secretary and treasurer of the World Mutual Health & Accident Insurance Co., and the Gibraltar Beneficial Society.
He was past president of both the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Christian Endeavor Societies, and was active in the Reformed Episcopal Church. He was secretary and treasurer of St. Paul's, Broad and Venango sts., and superintendent of the Sunday school. He was also superintendent in the summer at Lutheran Community Church of Our Savior, Stone Harbor.
Mr. Rudolph was treasurer of the New York and Philadelphia Synod and the Home Board of Missions of his church. He also maintained a home at 1216 W. Airdrie st.
He became mayor of Stone Harbor in February of last year. He had served as president of council for four years. Mr. Rudolph, who was unmarried, is survived by his mother, Mrs. J. C. Johnson.
Original newspaper article cared for by Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | Newspaper article about the death of Mayor Bert E. Rudolph from the Courier-Post, Camden, NJ, Monday, May 13, 1940
MAYOR B.E.RUDOLPH, STONE HARBOR, DIES
Stricken With Paralysis Entering Auto After Attending House Warming
Stone Harbor, May 12. - Stricken with paralysis Mayor Bert E. Rudolph, 49, died yesterday at his home on Ninety-eighth street.
Mayor Rudolph was getting into his car after leaving the new home of Rev. and Mrs. Morris C. Walker when stricken. Mr. Walker is the pastor of the Lutheran Community Church of Our Savior.
A resident here for 28 years, Mayor Rudolph was widely known as a churchman and official of three Philadelphia casualty companies. He also maintained a Philadelphia home at 1216 West Airdrie street.
He became acting Mayor in February, 1939, on the death of H. Irvin Gerhart. He had been a member of council for eight years and its president for four years.
Last August council named him as Mayor and in November he was elected to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Gerhart. He had announced his candidacy for re-election at next November's election. Mayor Gerhart's term would have expired Jan. 1, 1941.
Mr. Rudolph was treasurer of the Home Board of Missions of the Reformed Episcopal Church of America and treasurer of the New York and Philadelphia Synod of the Reformed Episcopal Church. He was a past president of Pennsylvania State Christian Endeavor Society, a past president of the Philadelphia Christian Endeavor Society, a member of the board of advisers of the annual Assembly-by-the-Sea here, and a warden, vestryman and secretary-treasurer of St. Paul's Reformed Episcopal Church, Broad and Venango streets, Philadelphia. Also for20 years he was superintendent of the Sunday school of St. Paul's Church until his resignation a year ago.
He was secretary-treasurer of the World Mutual Health & Accident Insurance Co., Philadelphia, with which he had been connected for many years, and a member of two other Philadelphia insurance firms.
Mayor Rudolph was unmarried and is survived by his mother, Mrs. J. C. Johnson, with whom he made his home.
Original newspaper article cared for by Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | Brief obituary for B. E. Rudolph, 12 May 1940
B. E. RUDOLPH DIES; NEW JERSEY MAYOR
Bert. E. Rudolph, 49, Mayor of Stone Harbor, N. J., prominent church layman and insurance executive, died yesterday at his summer home in Stone Harbor.
Mr. Rudolph, whose Philadelphia home was at 1216 W. Airdrie st., was an official of the National Accident and Health Insurance Company. He was past president of both the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Christian Endeavor Societies and active in the Reformed Episcopal Church. He was unmarried and is survived by his mother, Mrs. J. C. Johnson. Funeral services will be held at 2 P. M. Tuesday at St. Paul's Reformed Episcopal Church, Broad and Venango sts. Burial will be in Friends' Southwestern Cemetery.
Original newspaper article cared for by Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | Rich Newspaper Article about Mayor Bert E. Rudolph's Funeral - More than 1000 attendees - Cape May Times, Sea Isle City, New Jersey, Friday, May 17, 1940
STROKE IS FATAL - MAYOR RUDOLPH LAID TO REST
More Than 1,000 Attend Rites for Harbor Executive
Stone Harbor - More than 1,000 persons, many of them permanent and summer residents of this resort, attended funeral services Tuesday at 2 p. m. at St Paul's Reformed Episcopal Church, Broad and Venango streets, Philadelphia, for Mayor Bert E. Rudolph, widely known churchman and insurance executive.
Mayor Rudolph, who was in his 49th year, died Saturday at 5:55 a. m., just seven hours after he suffered a stroke here from which he failed to rally. Many of his friends viewed the body Monday evening at the funeral parlors of C. A. Quinby and Sons, 1125 W. Lehigh avenue.
Four Clergymen Officiate at Funeral
Four clergymen officiated at the impressive service. Among them was Rev. Morris Walker, pastor of the Lutheran Community Church of Our Savior here. It was in his car in front of Rev. Walker's parsonage, after Rev. and Mrs. Walker had been given a surprise party which the mayor attended, that Mr. Rudolph suffered the stroke that seven hours later was the cause of his death.
The other clergymen included Dr. Henry H. Trotter, pastor of St. Paul's; Bishop Frank V. C. Cloak, of the Reformed Episcopal Church; and Dr. James, close friend of the deceased and pastor of a Chicago Reformed Episcopal Church.
Bishop Praises 'Titanic' Character
Bishop Cloak, speaking from the pulpit in which Mr. Rudolph had preached on many occasions, as one of Philadelphia's outstanding churchmen, eulogized the later mayor for his 'titanic' Christian character.
A large number of persons journeyed to the Friend's Southwestern Cemetery, 65th and Spruce, where a Masonic service preceded interment.
Stone Harbor Cottager for 28 Years
Mayor Rudolph, who is survived only by his mother, Mrs. J. C. Johnson, maintained a summer residence here with her for 28 years. He was born in Philadelphia and attended Friends Select School. During the World War, he served as a Y. M. C. A. secretary at Camp Lee, Va.
At the time of his death he was vestryman, Junior Warden and secretary-treasurer of St. Paul's, and until his resignation more than a year ago, he served for 20 years as superintendent of the Sunday School. He was treasurer of the New York and Philadelphia Synod of the Reformed Episcopal Church, treasurer of the Home Board of Missions of the entire denomination.
Official of Many Organizations
Mayor Rudolph was president of Life Line League of Philadelphia; chairman of the Board of the Episcopal Endowment Fund of the entire denominations and a member of the general committee.
He was secretary and treasurer of the World Mutual Health and Accident Insurance Co., Philadelphia; secretary and treasurer of the Gibraltar Beneficial Society of Philadelphia, and manager of the Weekly Industrial Department of the National Accident Health Insurance Co., which operates in 20 states. Mr. Rudolph had 300 men under his supervision in the three organizations.
He became acting mayor of Stone Harbor upon the death of Mayor H. Irvin Gerhart February 21st of last year. In August he was appointed, and in November was elected to fill the unexpired one-year term of Mayor Gerhart. He served on Council eight years, the last four of which he was that body's president.
Original newspaper article cared for by Robert Charles Rudolph
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 | Samuel Fogg 1628-1672 His Ancestors and Descendants - Sarah Ann Fogg - No. 1220
This history includes his name, birth date. |
| Thorpe, Francis Charles, Jr. - Family History Letter dated 9 Jan 1999
Francis Charles Thorpe, Jr. mentions that Robert Erskine Rudolph (Bert) attended Friends' Select School, a Quaker Prep School that still exists in downtown Philadelphia. (At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.) |
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| Notes |
- Note: Known as Uncle Bert. per Robert Erskine Rudolph-1912: Mayor of Stone Harbor, MD. Millionaire. Money mysteriously disappeared when he died. Had a brand new roadster convertible with leather seats, which he let RER-1912 drive out on the beach one day. RER was not yet old enough to drive. RER promptly drove the roadster into the ocean waves doing considerable damage to the car. Lived with his mother until he died at age 49. Very active in several churches. Position of responsibility in various Philadelphia insurance companies with 300 people reporting to him when he died.
Conflict: Jordan indicates his birth date as 7 Oct 1891. Friends South Western Burial Grounds - Plans of Family Lots Book #1601 indicates his birth date as 7 May 1891; all three Rudolph bibles indicate a birth date of 7 Oct 1890; headstone inscription indcates 7 Oct 1893. Choose the bible entries date.
Note from Elizabeth Jane Thorpe: He attended Friends Select School.
!MILITARY: Receipt for board at Camp Lee, VA, 1 May 1918 through 6 May 1918; Reason for being charged for board is unknown.
!OCCUPATION: Business card of Bert. Erskine Rudolph, Manager Weekly Department, National Relief Assurance Company of Pennsylvania.
!DEATH-BURIAL-MOTHER: Cape May County Times; 17 May 1940; ; 1; Original in possession of Robert Charles Rudolph, Glastonbury, CT.
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| Sources |
- [S11] Rudolph Family Bible #3 - Dates between 1824 and 1934 - Births Page.
The name and birth date of Bert Erskine Rudolph are shown.
(The original image for this source can be clicked on and viewed from the Documents section above.)
- [S68] Samuel Fogg 1628-1672 His Ancestors and Descendants - Sarah Ann Fogg - No. 1220, Whitten, Phyllis O., Compiler, (Annandale, Virginia: Mrs. Herbert O. Whitten), CS F655.1976 V.1..
The name and birth date of Robert Erskine Rudolph are mentioned.
(The source text can be viewed by clicking this Source number or from the Histories section above)
- [S14] Rudolph Family Bible #1 - Dates between 1881 and 1918 - Births Page.
The name and birth date of Robert Erskine Rudolph are mentioned.
(The original image for this source can be clicked on and viewed from the Documents section above.)
- [S8] Rudolph Family Bible #2 - Dates between 1827 and 1934 - Births Page 1.
The name and birth date of Robert Erskine Rudolph are shown.
(The original image for this source can be clicked on and viewed from the Documents section above.)
- [S172] Rudolph, Bert Erskine - Headstone in lot I68 at the Friends South-Western Burial Ground, 236 Powell Lane, Upper Darby, PA.
The name, birth date and death date of Bert Erskine Rudolph are readable.
(An image of this source can be viewed from the Headstones section above)
- [S239] Rudolph, Bert Erskine - Newspaper Article on his Life, Career and Death, (Courier-Post, Camden, New Jersey, May 13, 1940).
- [S68] Samuel Fogg 1628-1672 His Ancestors and Descendants - Sarah Ann Fogg - No. 1220, Whitten, Phyllis O., Compiler, (Annandale, Virginia: Mrs. Herbert O. Whitten), CS F655.1976 V.1..
The name and birth date of Robert Erskine Rudolph are mentioned.
(The original image for this source can be clicked on and viewed from the Documents section above.)
- [S157] Friends' South-Western Burial Ground - Plans of Family Lots #1601 - Lot I68.
The birth date, death date and burial date/location of Bert E. Rudolph are shown.
(The original image for this source can be clicked on and viewed from the Documents section above.)
- [S162] Friends' South-Western Burial Ground - Notebook for section I - Lot I68.
The death date and burial location of Bert E. Rudolph are shown.
(The original image for this source can be clicked on and viewed from the Documents section above.)
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