BIO: Richard J. MARLATT, Beaver County, PA
  
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Joe Patterson
  
  Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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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. 196-197.
  _________________________________________________________________ 
  
  RICHARD J. MARLATT, who is a representative of the younger generation
  of farmers of Beaver county, cultivates a fine farm of one hundred and
  fifty-two acres located in Chippewa township. He is a man: of enterprise,
  quick to adopt all modern and improved methods of farming, and has attained a
  degree of success which is surprising in one so young. He is a son of Michael
  and Abbie (Allison) Marlatt, and was born in Beaver county, September 7,
  1875, on the old homestead, where he now lives.
  
  His grandfather was Richard Marlatt, who was born in New Jersey, where he was
  educated and learned the trade of a carpenter. This he followed there for some
  years and also after his removal to Sewickley, where he died at an advanced age.
  
  Michael Marlatt, the father of Richard J., was born in New Jersey in 1830,
  and, although his educational advantages were limited, he acquired a good
  mental training. The school terms were of but three months' duration, and he
  was able to attend but a short time. He was an accurate mathematician, a
  discriminating reader, and a profound thinker, and had he had but the
  opportunity presented to the student of today, he would undoubtedly have
  created a name for himself along professional lines. He was obliged to adopt
  a mechanical career, and it was but natural that he should choose the trade
  of his father, that of a carpenter. He assisted his father and then followed
  the business for himself for some time, after which he hired out as a farm
  hand by
  
  BEAVER COUNTY  197
  
  the day. He then bought a small farm near Leetsdale, Pa., and did a general
  market-gardening business, hauling to Pittsburg. He had to haul the produce
  the entire way, and it was by working and sleeping out of doors that he lost
  his hearing, a very sad affliction for one of such intelligence. Selling his
  Leetsdale property, he went to Beaver Falls, bought building lots and worked
  at his trade; but owing to his wife's poor health, he traded his city
  property for the farm on which the subject of this record now lives, and in
  addition gave a money consideration. It is an improved farm of 152 acres,
  one-half of which is cleared, and has a good house. He erected new barns and
  did a general gardening business, -retailing in Beaver Falls. He set out three
  elegant orchards, and engaged in dairying and stock-raising. In 1898, in the
  sixty-ninth year of his age, he died very suddenly while engaged in work upon
  his farm. His wife was Abbie Allison, who was born in Allegheny county, in
  1836, and they reared the following children: Joseph, a pastor of the M. E.
  church in Tacoma, Washington, and a graduate of Meadville Academy; Amy
  (Hendrickson); Charles, superintendent of Morado Park; Sadie (Wells),
  deceased; Robert, a farmer; Rev. Wesley, a graduate of Geneva College and
  formerly a successful attorney, who received the degree of D. D. from the
  University of Michigan, and died while pastor of the M. E. church at
  Johnstown, Pa.; William, a farmer who now assists the subject hereof; and
  Richard J., whose name heads these lines. Politically, Mr. Marlatt was a
  Republican and served as school director and supervisor. He was a trustee of
  the M. E. church.
  
  Richard J. Marlatt received a good intellectual training in the district
  schools, and has lived his entire life upon the old home farm. Upon his
  father's death, the farm descended to his heirs, and our subject has since
  had its management. Self-reliant and industrious, he has cultivated the farm
  in the most approved style, and his efforts have been attended by the
  greatest success. He follows closely the footsteps of his father, doing a
  large general market business, and also has the place stocked with good
  cattle and horses. He has a wide knowledge on the subject of farming, and his
  opinions are respected to a degree not usually accorded one so young. He is
  very popular with his fellow-citizens, having a large circle of friends
  throughout the township. Politically, he is a Republican, but does not aspire
  to office. He is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church.