BIO: Robert S. IMBRIE, Beaver County, PA
    
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    BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES.  This Volume Contains Biographical Sketches 
    of Leading Citizens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania.  Buffalo, N.Y., 
    Chicago, Ill.: Biographical Publishing Company, 1899, pp. 68-70.
    _________________________________________________________________ 
    
    ROBERT S. IMBRIE, real estate dealer and insurance agent of Beaver,
  Pennsylvania, is a gentleman whose life has been spent wholly in Beaver
  county, Pa., with the exception of three years passed in Franklin county, in
  the same state, and, although he appears to be a man of middle age, is to-day
  in his seventy-first year. He obtained his elementary education in the public
  schools of his native place, taking a finishing course at Beaver Academy, and
  afterwards following the profession of teaching for a period of five years. He
  next engaged in mercantile pursuits by conducting a branch store with his
  brother at Mercersburg, Franklin county, Pa., for about two and one-half
  years. Later he went into the same business alone, keeping a general store at
  Loudon, Franklin county, until 1861, when he sold out and started a new store
  at Darlington, Beaver county. Upon the death of his father, in 1864, he again
  sold out his business and went upon the homestead farm, which he conducted and
  managed for his mother until it was sold a year later. Mr. Imbrie then
  accepted a position with the Wheeler & Wilson Sewing Machine Co., at Beaver,
  and continued as their general agent for a period of nine years, being very
  successful at that business, and selling
    
    BEAVER COUNTY  69
    
  hundreds of sewing machines. He subsequently severed his connection with that
  firm and dealt for some time in agricultural implements, that he might have
  occupation at home where he could share domestic pleasures and
  companionships. But the machine companies sought his services again, and he
  was finally induced to enter that sphere once more, engaging with the White
  Sewing Machine Co. for one year, and with the American for three years.
    
    Our subject then abandoned that business entirely, and turned his attention
  to fire insurance, associating with the firm of Hurst & Imbrie. Later, at the
  death of Mr. Hurst, fire insurance was dropped and life insurance was taken
  up in its stead. Since then Mr. Imbrie has been connected with the "Mutual
  Life, of New York," the "Manhattan" and the "Equitable." The latter is the
  one in which he is now mainly interested. Some years ago, our subject built a
  residence on Third street, which is now owned by Mr. Shoemaker, but later,
  purchased his present residence on North Park street. This is a large,
  handsome structure of brick, built by his brother Delorme, in 1859; it is a
  beautiful place, and is finely located, making an ideal homestead.
    
    In 1859, Nancy E. Scott, a favorite daughter of William Scott, a highly
  respected resident of New Brighton, Beaver county, became the wife of Mr.
  Imbrie, and is said to be a very attractive and entertaining lady. To them
  were born the following children: Mary, who died in her fourth year; J.
  Maurice, a -molder, deceased at the age of thirty years, who wedded Ella
  Morgan and had three children, Martha, Robert, and Paul; Nannie S., wife of
  Joseph Irons, of Beaver Falls, who has two children, Lorain and Helen;
  Nettie, a stenographer, of Pittsburg; Mabel, a music teacher, of Pittsburg;
  Grace, who is still at home, and is a fine musician; and Jessie, also a
  stenographer, of Pittsburg.
    
    In his political views our subject has ever been a Republican, and although
  he has never sought office or political distinction, he has served as school
  director and as member of the borough council. In business he is careful,
  shrewd, and trustworthy. Enjoying the patronage of the best class of people,
  his work is executed with facility and dispatch. As a neighbor, he is kind
  and obliging, and his enterprising spirit has been felt in all movements to
  advance the welfare of his community. In his religious convictions, Mr.
  Imbrie is a devout Christian and a member of the United Presbyterian church;
  he has served many years as elder and as superintendent of Sunday School.
    
    Robert S. Imbrie was born in Big Beaver township, Beaver county, Pa.,
  August 12, 1829. He is a son of John and Nancy (Rankin) Imbrie, and grandson
  of David and Mary Imbrie. David Imbrie was a native of Scotland, and while
  still a single man came to the United States. He was a tanner by trade. He
  became the owner of a tannery in Westmoreland county, Pa., and conducted it
  for many years. Late in life he retired from that business and spent his
  closing years upon a farm previously purchased by him. Both he
    
    70  BOOK OF BIOGRAPHIES
    
  and his good wife Mary lived to a good old age. Their children were: David;
  Robert; James; John, father of Robert S.; George; Mrs. Catherine Slone; Mrs.
  Mary Fleck; and Mrs. Jane Maloney.
    
    John Imbrie was born in Westmoreland county, Pa., where he early learned
  the trade of a tanner in his father's tannery. Some years after arriving at
  manhood, he removed to Big Beaver township, Beaver county, Pa., and purchased
  a farm of 106 acres, heavily timbered. Erecting a tannery upon his land, he
  carried on that business for several years, but later turned his attention to
  farming. He bought 50 acres quite near his former purchase, and upon it passed
  the remainder of his life. This farm was commonly known as the Economite farm,
  and upon it his death occurred at the age of seventy-three years. He was
  joined in wedlock with Nancy Rankin, daughter of James Rankin. She survived
  her husband until she reached her eighty-eighth year.
    
    John Imbrie rendered eminent services to our country during the War of
  1812, being stationed at Fort Erie. He was looked upon as an influential
  citizen, and above all a man who could be trusted, and enjoyed the love and
  esteem of all who knew him. Possessed of good judgment, and richly endowed
  with perseverance, he carried through to a successful termination his every
  undertaking. He served as justice of the peace, and as county commissioner,
  many years. He was a Seceder, and later, a United Presbyterian. He and his
  much beloved wife reared the following family (all of whom are now deceased
  except Robert S. Imbrie and his brother John): Addison; Delorme; Mary, wife
  of J. P. Martin, whose life history is found elsewhere in this volume; Nancy,
  wife of James L. Ansley; Robert S., subject of this biography; Minerva, who
  died at the age of eighteen years; John, still single; Jeremiah R.; and
  David. The last two served in the Civil War in the 10th Reg. Pa. Reserves,
  and both died from the effects of the exposure and hardships of campaigning.
    
    The subject of our sketch is a gentleman who is intelligent, courteous, and
  refined, - just the kind of a man to make a lasting impression for good on all
  societies, who are so fortunate as to number him among their members.