Robert Clayton Seldomridge
Biography from Biographical Annals of Lancaster County, PA, pages 1338-1339
Submitted by Suzanne NobleROBERT CLAYTON SELDOMRIDGE, one of the leading grocers of Lancaster, is regarded as one of the most prominent and successful businessmen of that city. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born Dec. 31, 1862, in Monterey, Lancaster county.
Benjamin T. Seldomridge, father of Robert C., was a son of Isaac Seldomridge, a native of Lancaster county, a framer by occupation, and a Lutheran in religious faith. Benjamin T. married a daughter of the late Robert Bursk, and face children graced their union.: Catherine B., wife of Darius Simmons, of Lancaster,; Ella M., wife of Frank Good, a farmer of Barebille, Pa.. Rev. I. N., pastor of the U. B. Church of Harrisburg, Pa.; Robert C., who is more fully spoken of farther on; and Howard B., who, after taking a three-years course at Curray's College of Oratory, in Boston, was graduated May 6, 1903, and on May 8th (two days later), gave a recital in the Martin Auditorium, Lancaster. The father of this family has been a school director, and secretary of the board of Upper Leacock township for twenty-five years continuously.
The Bursks trace their ancestry back to the time when three brothers of the name were captured by the Indians, one of the three surviving to tell the tale of their terrible adventure. This one settled in Bucks county, Pa., married, and had three sons, and one of these sons was the great-grandfather of Robert Bursk, previously mentioned.
Robert C. Seldomridge received his education in the public schools in the neighborhood of his place of birth. At the age of sixteen years he came to Lancaster, and, entering the store of D. S. Bursk as junior clerk, remained until he was twenty-eight, at which time he received the appointment of the manager of the grocery store in Lancaster which was opened by a Philadelphian at Nos. 18 and 20 Queen street. In 1895, this Philadelphia concern failed, and on Sept. 28, 1895, Mr. Seldomridge became the owner by purchase. The original store was more than doubled in size, while the trade has quadrupled, all due to the thorough business acumen of it's wide awake owner, who has fairly won a place among the successful men in the community in which he lives. The business has now attained to such proportions that Mr. Seldomridge was compelled to seek a larger store room, which he found at Nos. 6 and 8 North Queen street.
On June 16, 1885, Robert C. Seldomridge was married, at Intercourse, Lancaster county, to Miss Harriet E. Sample, daughter of Dr. S. R. Sample, a prominent physician of that section, and member of one of the oldest and most highly esteemed families of Lancaster county. Seven children were born of this union, five of whom are yet living, viz; Edna R., Florence A., Robert B., Helen E. and S. Warren. All but the youngest are attending school.
Mr. Seldomridge is a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, and socially is affiliated with the F. & A. M. (blue lodge, chapter and Lodge of Perfection), the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. Politically he is a member of the Young Republican Club, be a zealous and enthusiastic Republican, though never obtruding his opinion upon others.
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