Robert Ralston

http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/philadelphia/history/family/ralsto...

 Robert Ralston, the third son of Robert Ralston, the noted merchant, and the only one who has descendants still living in Philadelphia, was born March 9, 1795.  He graduated from Carlisle College, Pennsylvania, in 1814, and, like his brother, became prominently identified with mercantile interests in Philadelphia, and with other enterprises involving the development of the Quaker City, including the Girard Bank, in which he was a stockholder.  Among the larger institutions with which he was officially connected was the University of Pennsylvania, of which he was a trustee from 1838 to 1858.  It was Robert Ralston who was largely responsible for the inception and development of the Protestant Episcopal Church of St. James the Less, Falls of Schuylkill, to which he contributed liberally, both of his time and means.  He owned and built upon the fine estate, "Mount Peace"-now the cemetery of that name-which adjoins the church last-mentioned, and which had formerly belonged to his father.

 Robert Ralston was married, in Boston, Massachusetts, by Rev. James Freeman, September 26, 1822, to Anne Boote, of that city, who was born February 19, 1803, and died March 22, 1889.  The death of Mr. Ralston occurred thirty-one years previously, March 20, 1858.   Both were buried at St. James the Less.

 They had issue as follows: Mary Love, Anne, Robert, Francis William, Lewis Waln, Elizabeth Ann and Ellen.

 Of the four daughters, the eldest, Mary Love Ralston, became the second wife of the celebrated Philadelphia lawyer and statesman, William Bradford Reed, Attorney General of Pennsylvania, United States Minister to China, etc.  They had four children, all now deceased.  A grandson is Robert Ralston Reed, M. D., Morristown, New Jersey.

 The second daughter, Anne Ralston, died in Boston, June 15, 1827, aged one year.

 The third daughter, Elizabeth Ann Ralston, became the wife of John Welsh, of the well-known family of that name, and their surviving children are Francis Ralston Welsh, Philadelphia Club; Mrs. Latham Gallup Reed, 151 East 56th street, New York, and the Misses Gertrude Clarkson Welsh and Elizabeth Ralston Welsh, 120 East 31st street, New York.

 Ellen Ralston, the youngest of the four daughters of Robert and Anne (nee Boote) Ralston, died unmarried, May 9, 1874.

 The eldest of the three sons, Robert Ralston, Jr., was born April 12, 1828, and died unmarried.

 The second son, Francis William Ralston, who was born May 12, 1830, was long identified with large financial interests in Philadelphia.  He joined the Union League, January 27, 1863, shortly after its organization.  He married, at Christ Church, October 7, 1858, Elizabeth Caldwell Meredith, daughter of the famous Quaker City lawyer, William Morris Meredith, born May 6, 1837, and died March 30, 1883, having predeceased her husband eight and a half years.  His death took place October 8, 1891.

 The had issue four children, two deceased, Anna and William Meredith, and two surviving, Robert and Francis William.  Robert Ralston, the elder of the two sons now living, is one of the present judges of Spruce street.  His brother, Francis William Ralston, was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, and served through out the Spanish-American War, as Corporal, Sergeant and First Sergeant of Battery A, Pennsylvania Artillery, his service extending from April 27 to November 19, 1898.  He was commissioned and accompanied that command to the Philippines.  He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, March 17, 1901, and was honorably mustered out, April 3, 1901.  He was then commissioned, May 8, 1901,  2nd  Lieutenant in the Artillery Corps, United States Army; 1st Lieutenant September 23, 1901, and Captain, January 25, 1907.  He is now stationed at Fort Washington, Maryland. 

 Lewis Waln Ralston, youngest of the sons of Robert and Anne (nee Boote) Ralston, was born August 26, 1832-his tombstone says August 29, 1832-spent a year at the University of Pennsylvania, 1848-49, engaged in business as an iron broker, served during the Civil War, 1862-64, as Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel of the 109th Infantry Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers, was wounded in the battle of Cedar Mountain, 1868, and died unmarried, February 7, 1873.