Mayor of New Waterford, Cape Breton, 1916
Although Robert Salter Ripley's occupation was listed as farmer on the 1881 Maccan census, he did not remain a farmer. At the age of 19 he had served as an officer of the Independent Order of Good Templars in Fenwick (Source: Myrtle Chappell's Fenwick 1778-1978, p. 130) perhaps showing an early interest in public service. By the 1901 Springhill census, Robert's occupation is listed as Justice of the Peace. Robert served as enumerator for the census in Springhill that year. According to information provided by his granddaughters, Robert also raised trotting horses; harness racing was a popular sport in the area. (Source: See Jim Hawley's articles on early horse racing in Nova Scotia.)
Around the time of his wife Hannah's death in 1910, Robert moved to Cape Breton. A granddaughter of Robert says he moved there originally as a contractor to build dwellings for the miners. Robert was engaged as a contractor in Springhill and continued his building trade in New Waterford, where he purchased the block known as Ripley Square. He and his second wife, Edith Hyatt, ran a grocery and provisioning business until his death. According to the Obituary of Edith Hyatt, she continued to operate the store at the corner of Ripley Street and County Road (now Hinchey's Market) after Robert's death. On Robert's death certificate, his occupation is listed as Merchant. The death certificate also indicates that Robert had lived in New Waterford for 16 years at the time of his death, so Robert likely moved to New Waterford in about 1912.
In 1913 Robert made an unsuccessful attempt for election as a city councillor in New Waterford (Source: Ted Boutilier, The Story of New Waterford, the Town, its Organizations and its People, published on the Cape Breton Genealogical Society Website.) In 1916 Robert served as the first Mayor of New Waterford before becoming Chief Magistrate. During his term he purchased a salvage truck and a 1917 LaFrance Pumper fire truck which was named the R. S. Ripley . According to the Obituary of Robert Salter Ripley, these vehicles bore his remains to the train station after his death.
Around the time of his wife Hannah's death in 1910, Robert moved to Cape Breton. A granddaughter of Robert says he moved there originally as a contractor to build dwellings for the miners. Robert was engaged as a contractor in Springhill and continued his building trade in New Waterford, where he purchased the block known as Ripley Square. He and his second wife, Edith Hyatt, ran a grocery and provisioning business until his death. According to the Obituary of Edith Hyatt, she continued to operate the store at the corner of Ripley Street and County Road (now Hinchey's Market) after Robert's death. On Robert's death certificate, his occupation is listed as Merchant. The death certificate also indicates that Robert had lived in New Waterford for 16 years at the time of his death, so Robert likely moved to New Waterford in about 1912.
In 1913 Robert made an unsuccessful attempt for election as a city councillor in New Waterford (Source: Ted Boutilier, The Story of New Waterford, the Town, its Organizations and its People, published on the Cape Breton Genealogical Society Website.) In 1916 Robert served as the first Mayor of New Waterford before becoming Chief Magistrate. During his term he purchased a salvage truck and a 1917 LaFrance Pumper fire truck which was named the R. S. Ripley . According to the Obituary of Robert Salter Ripley, these vehicles bore his remains to the train station after his death.