Hartley, Robert

Hartley, Robert a practical philanthropist, was born in England in 1795, and removed with his father to New York in 1798. He grew up with the expectation of entering the ministry, but was prevented by feeble health, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. He devoted his life to works of charity and mercy. He was the first to expose the iniquity of the "swill milk" traffic. He visited Europe and learned the various systems there in use, and on his return formed a society for the amelioration of the condition of the poor, which commanded the admiration and support of the wisest and best men in the city. He was secretary of the Hospital for the Ruptured and Crippled, and manager of the Presbyterian Hospital, Juvenile Asylum, and various other charities. He was an elder in the Madison Square Presbyterian Church, and abounded in works of piety and usefulness. He died in New York city, March 3, 1881. (W.P.S.)