Robert Gillespie, coal and feed merchant, of Coplay, was born in Catasauqua, February 24, 1861. After attending the public schools of his native borough he learned the moulding trade at the Union Foundry, which he followed three
years, after which he learned telegraphy, which he followed for 18 years in the service of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. During this time he also served as ticket agent, baggage master and yard master. During four years of the eighteen in the employment of this company he was located at Phillipsburg as train dispatcher. He was train dispatcher when the company built its third track between Greens Bridge and Canada. In 1898, he resigned to engage in the coal and grain business, which he conducted very successfully at Coplay. For eight years, Mr. Gillespie was Republican committeeman of Catasauqua. He is a member of the Catasauqua Lodge, I. O. O. F. In 1889, he was married to Annie G. Lee, daughter of Armat W. Lee, of Allentown. To them the following children were born: Harold Lee, a chemist in the employ of the Atlas Cement Company; Armat L, assisting his father; Carl L.; Robert K. and Emily Haziet, who died in May, 1912, at the age of four years.