Robert F. Tarr, M.D.
ROBERT F. TARR, M. D., of Kittanning, who has been engaged in medical practice there since 1902, was born Dec. 28, 1860, at Freeport, Armstrong county, and belongs to the fourth generation of his family resident in this county.Frederick Tarr, his great-grandfather, a native of Germany, on coming to the United States settled first in Westmoreland county, Pa., later moving to Armstrong county. Here he took up a large tract of land in what is now East Franklin township, where the village now known as Tarrtown is located, and a portion of his land is still owned by his descendants, the third generation now being in possession. Frederick Tarr was a man of considerable prominence in his time, and served many years as justice of the peace.
Casper Tarr, son of Frederick was born in Armstrong county, and his wife, whose maiden name was Adams, was also of Armstrong county. Their children were George F., McConnell, Shields, John, Mary, Jane and Ann Elizabeth. One died young. For a number of years Casper Tarr was lock tender on the old canal at Lockport, Pa., and at the same time conducted a country store at that point. Subsequently moving to Kittanning, he had charge of the old cemetery at that place, holding this position until he died. He was a Republican in politics, in religion a member of the M. E. Church.
George F. Tarr, son of Casper, was born in Armstrong county, and died Sept. 5, 1876. He was supervisor of the first railroad built through Kittanning, on which road his brothers McConnell and Shields were also employed, and for a number of years was employed as supervisor on the old Allegheny Valley road and was the first supervisor of that road at Kittanning. Subsequently he located at what was known as the old lock at Freeport, Pa., and was for many years engaged in the hotel business, in which he was most successful. He retired from that line some time before his death. Mr. Tarr was twice married, his first wife being Levina Lynch, by whom he had two children, Thomas and Nudia. By his second marriage, to Susan Varner, he had a family of five: Robert F., Josephine, Charles, William and Hattie, Charles, William and Hattie dying in infancy. The father was a member of the I. O. O. F. and of the M. E. Church.
Robert F. Tarr attended public school in Armstrong county, and also the academies at Whitesburg and Kittanning. He then learned telegraphy, which he followed for some years, being an operator in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company twelve years. Taking up the study of medicine he entered medical college, at Baltimore in 1896, graduating in 1902. He has built up an excellent practice and has won the esteem and confidence of his patrons and fellow citizens generally, served three years as member of the Kittanning school board, and is a valuable member of the community. He belongs to the Armstrong County Medical Society, to the Pennsylvania State Medical Society and to the American Medical Association.
Dr. Tarr married Mary Milliken, daughter of Andrew Milliken, of Armstrong county, and they have had two children: Jessie R. graduated from the Southwestern State Normal School at California, Pa., and has been a public school teacher in Kittanning for three years; Ross P. died when three years old.
Source: Pages 359-360, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed September 2001 by Linda M. Stitt for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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