Milton Roblee  (d.1926) Prospect 156

Milton Roblee was born in Johnsburg, New York and entered into the hotel business when he was only 20 years old and bought his first hotel, The Barrett House in New York. Later, he also became part owner of the Taylor Hotel in New Jersey. For ten years he owned The Bartholdi Hotel on 23rd Street in New York City. In 1910, he took over The Hotel Casey in Scranton, Pa. He was also for a time an actor. He is also credited for being involved with the Belleclaire Hotel at Broadway and 77th Street.

His son Harold died in an explosion tragedy on November 12, 1902 at the age of 12.
 

Madison Square Garden (then located around 23rd Street), had a party for an "Airship Celebration" and there was a pyrotechnical display of fireworks on the street. One of the large steel mortars broke, causing a bomb like explosion. The surrounding areas all the way up to 26th Street dented buildings, left holes in the pavement and broke windows. Twelve people were killed and 40 injured seriously. The only building on 23rd street damaged was The Hotel Bertholdi, and Mr. Roblee's son Harold was killed. The people who set off the fireworks were in the business of pyrotechnics for over 25 years and they were taken into custody by the police department. They originally were to set these fireworks off the top of the Flat Iron Building, but were not given permission by the building owners. They were later released. Laws were changed after this to not allow any kind of fireworks, off rooftops or streets.

Mr. Milton Roblee passed away on February 25, 1926. Although he was owner of the plot, he sold his share to Clara Bell Schneider in 1917 and is buried in St. Raphael's Roman Catholic Cemetery in Poultney, Vermont. He was survived by his widow Margaret Gould Roblee, one son, Norman, and two daughters, Frances and Dorothy. He was 64 years old.