Pictures from a visit last autumn to Franny Reese State Park in New York. The sun-dappled ruins are the former estate of wealthy dentist Charles H. Roberts. A graduate of Albany Medical College, Roberts’ dental innovations made him rich and allowed him to branch out into other lucrative business ventures. In the 1860s, he began building his home, Cedar Glen, on the west bank of the Hudson River overlooking Poughkeepsie. After Roberts died in 1909, protracted squabbling over his will by his children resulted in the decline of Cedar Glen. Read more of the story at About Town.
In his days of poverty and embarrassed circumstances Dr. Roberts’ credit was always good, owing to his promptness in fulfilling his agreements.
History of Ulster County, New York: with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, 1880.