 1862 - 1951
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| Born |
4 Dec 1862 |
Philadelphia, PA  [3, 4, 5, 6] |
| Gender |
Female |
| Died |
17 Feb 1951 |
Trenton, NJ [4, 6, 7] |
| Buried |
20 Feb 1951 |
Upper Darby, PA [4, 6, 7] |
| Person ID |
I89 |
Rudolph |
| Last Modified |
12 Mar 2013 |
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Photos
» Slide Show
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 | Emma Louise Erskine - 1862 to 1951 - Known as Grandma Johnson
Back of photograph says: Emma Louise Erskine Rudolph Johnson
The handwritting appears to be that of Robert Erskine Rudolph, identifying his grandmother.
From the photo collection of Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | Personal card of Emma Louise Erskine
As she was an artist, the design on the card is probably hers. But that's just a guess.
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. |
 | 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.
Handwritting may be that of Robert Erskine Rudolph
From the photo collection of Robert Charles Rudolph |
 | 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. |
 | Emma Louise Erskine
From the photo collection of John Frederick Brenner from Robert Hunsperger |
 | Rudolph Family Residence in Stone Harbor, NJ
Built by Emma Louise Erskine and her second husband John C. Johnson
From the photo collection of John Frederick Brenner from Robert Hunsperger |
Histories
» Slide Show
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 | Samuel Fogg 1628-1672 His Ancestors and Descendants - Sarah Ann Fogg - No. 1220
This history includes her name and marriage to John M. Rudolph, as well as the name and birth dates of their children. |
| Thorpe, Francis Charles, Jr. - Family History Letter dated 9 Jan 1999
Mentions her name, birth place, sisters' names, and parent's names. Also includes some biographical information about her, which is included in the Notes section below. (At least one living or private individual is linked to this item - Details withheld.) |
 | 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 |
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| Notes |
- Biography: Was known, after her second marriage, as Grandma Johnson. Seen in 1903 photograph (Black dress, curl on forehead, middle 2nd row). Did some painting. 1 painting by her, held by Particia Ann Rudolph-1960. Along with her sister Mary, purchased one of the 2 family clocks. Lived on Airdrie Street in Philadelphia at some point, but not when 1903 picture was taken. Family matriarch for many years. Evelyn Louise Baumgartner-1912, says she was hard to get along with. Lived with her son Bert., until he died at age 49.
Biography: In his family history letter dated 9 Jan 1999, Thorpe, Francis Charles, Jr. discusses Emma Louise Erskine or Grandma Johnson as she was known in her later years.
- Her father drank heavily, which may explain her intense participation in the W.C.T.U. (Women’s Christian Temperance Union).
- Her son Bert is supposed to have had a “family tree” prepared so that his mother could join the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), probably in the 1930’s.
- She did not get along well with her daughter-in-law Julia Ann Taylor.
Conflict: Friends' South-Western Burial Ground - Plans of Family Lots #1601 - Lot I68 birth date of 4 Dec 1862 disgrees with Rudolph Family Bible #2 - Dates between 1827 and 1934 - Births Page 1 birth date of 14 Dec 1862.
Death place: Trenton State Hospital, New Jersey. Informaton from Betty Jane Thorpe.
!RESIDENCE: Tuition bills for her son, Ernest John Rudolph; 1891-1899; Friends Select School, 140 North Sixteenth St, Philadelphia, PA; ; Originals in possession of Robert Charles Rudolph, Glastonbury, CT; NOTE: Envelope addressed to John Mason Rudolph, 565 N. 25th Street, Phila. with postmark of 7 Mar 1899 along with bill of 3 Jan, 1899, Tuition bills of 15 Oct 1897 and 10 Jun 1898 show address to be 690 Vanhook Street, Camden, NJ, other bills show no address, but several are first addressed to Thomas, and then corrected to be John M.
!RESIDENCE: Empty envelope addressed to what appears to be Mrs. Emma Rudolph, 5833 Race Street, West Philadelphia, PA; Postmarked 16 Sep 1904.
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| Sources |
- [S11] Rudolph Family Bible #3 - Dates between 1824 and 1934 - Births Page.
The name of Emma Louise Erskine is 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, birth date, death date of John M. Rudolph and marriage of John M. Rudolph and Emma L. Erskine, as well as the name and birth dates of their children, are mentioned.
(The source text can be viewed by clicking this Source number or from the Histories section above)
- [S8] Rudolph Family Bible #2 - Dates between 1827 and 1934 - Births Page 1.
The name and birth date of Emma L. Rudolph are shown.
(The original image for this source can be clicked on and viewed from the Documents section above.)
- [S171] Johnson, Emma L. Rudolph - Headstone lot I68 at Friends' South-Western Burial Ground, 236 Powell Lane, Upper Darby, PA..
The name, birth year and death year of Emma L. Rudolph Johnson are readable.
(An image of this source can be viewed from the Headstones section above)
- [S211] Thorpe, Francis Charles, Jr. - Family History Letter dated 9 Jan 1999.
Mentions the name, birth place, sisters' names, and parents' names of Emma Louise Erskine
(A PDF of this source can be viewed by clicking this Source number or from the Histories 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 Emma L. Johnson 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 Emma L. Johnson are shown.
(The original image for this source can be clicked on and viewed from the Documents section above.)
- [S9] Rudolph Family Bible #3 - Dates between 1824 and 1934 - Marriages Page.
The marriage date of ?(probably John) Rudolph and Emma Erskine is shown.
(The original image for this source can be clicked on and viewed from the Documents section above.)
- [S12] Rudolph Family Bible #1 - Dates between 1881 and 1918 - Marriages Page.
The marriage date of John M. Rudolph and Emma Erskine is shown.
(The original image for this source can be clicked on and viewed from the Documents section above.)
- [S5] Rudolph Family Bible #2 - Dates between 1827 and 1934 - Marriages Page.
The marriage date of John M. Rudolph and Emma L. Erskine is shown.
(The original image for this source can be clicked on and viewed from the Documents section above.)
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