I. FIRST GENERATION: ANDREW JACKSON ROBERTSON

head view photo Andrew Jackson Robertson was born 15 October 18291 in New York State and married to Mary Lucinda Taylor2 in Racine, Wisconsin on 6 April 1851, daughter of George E. Taylor and Lydia Markham Taylor.3 Both of their parents, were born in New York State.4 He died 31 August 1906, Rochester, Racine Co., Wisconsin.

In 1849, a land Patent was issued to Andrew J. Robertson of Columbia County from the Green Bay Land Office for 80 acres in Columbia Co., Wisconsin.

In 1850, he lived at 179 Chatham Street, Racine, Wisconsin, and was employed as a cooper at 181 Michigan Street. The 1850 Census lists "Andrew Robinson" in district number 7, City of Racine, 22 years of age, a cooper, born in New York State. This is identical information for Andrew J. Robertson and is probably him.

In 1850 and 1852, he was a member of 'Fire King' Engine Company Number Two.5,6 , Horatio T. Taylor, brother of his wife, was First Assistant Foreman of the same fire company. At that time, H. T. Taylor was a grocer at 162 Main Street and resided at 181 Michigan. In 1876, Horatio Taylor was grocer with son Charles at 194 Market Square corner Sixth and resided at 83 College Ave.

The 1860 census has him living in Columbia County, Town of Wyocena, P.O. Pardeeville, Wisconsin, with his family. In 1858 and 1864 he was town assessor of Wyocena.7 In 1865 he moved with his family to Rochester in Racine County.8

1864 — M. W. Twitchell, Chairman; R. M. Haynes, John Farrier, Supervisors; H. M. Blair, Clerk; Alexander Farrier, Treasurer; A. J. Robertson, Assessor12.

The Waterford Post for 21 August 1879 had the following information... Rochester,... Mr. A. J. Robertson has moved into the Watts House opposite the Alfred Heald's residence. And, Antel Henry and Wm. F. Robertson, who have been looking about Iowa and Nebraska returned on Wednesday evening, last. And, on 18 Sept. 1879...Rochester, Mr. A. J. Robertson left for Madison and the State Fair on Monday." On 5 November 1879, Rochester ...The board of Supervisors of this place have engaged Messrs. A. J. Robertson, A. Malone and George Noble to build a new bridge on the Old Plank Road between Burlington and Racine. On 7 April 1881, Rochester...The Temperance Ticket has elected all of it's men by a wide majority excepting treasurer. The following are the officers.. treasurer- A. J. Robertson... Justices of Peace... Philo Belden...

The Waterford post for 4 August 1881 had the following, Rochester... Mr. Will T. Robertson, who has spent the past several weeks about his old home (here), returned to Texarkana, Texas Tuesday last. And 25 August 1881, Rochester... They (runaway horses), were captured by Munn Slaight... And on 12 January 1882, Rochester...Mr. William Robertson has again ...putting in an appearance at home... For 2 February 1882, Rochester..., installed the officers of Friendship Lodge No. 18, I.O.O.F. ... P.S.-Andrew Robertson... And for 9 February 1882, Rochester... Lewie Belden, while skating on the river the other day, fell into an air hole, and would have drowned, but for the timely assistance of Mr. Munn Slaight. (Munn Slaight married Louis Belden's aunt, Katy Robertson.)

The Waterford Post for 8 April 1899 notes that A. J. Robertson was elected to the Rochester town board.

He was listed with his family in the census for Rochester, in 1870, 1880, and 1900. The 1876 'Advocate Directory' lists his occupation as cooper.

The Rochester tax rolls for 1900-1907 show that he paid taxes on lot No. 5 of block 2.9 This is on the west side of Front Street and the second lot north of West Street, west of the Fox River.

He died in Rochester, 31 August 190610 with burial in Rochester Cemetery adjacent to his wife who preceded him in death (lot # 93 in S.E. block).

They had five children;
  1. Ella Adelia, born 12 March 1852, married Allen H. Belden, 3 July 1873, she died 1 July 1922, Beloit, Wisconsin.
  2. William J., born 1853, married Fanny. He died in Nebraska.
  3. Katy, born 1856, married Munn Slaight 2 July 1887 in Rochester, Racine. She died in 1906 Palmyra, WI
  4. Charles H.was born 1 March 1867 Columbia Co., Wisconsin and died 14 July 1947 in Blair, Washington, Nebraska. He married Rachel McMillan, born 12 December 1871 in Desoto, Washington Co., Nebraska, she died on 18 November 1943 in Blair, Washington, Co, Nebraska.
  5. Fred P., born 1877 in WI, married Dell.11 He died in Herman, NE.
Obituary12 "Andrew Jackson Robertson was born in Genesee county, New York, Oct. 15, 1828. He came to Wisconsin with the pioneers when but a boy and made his home for a few years in the neighborhood of Honey Creek, afterwards going to Racine. At Racine he married Mary L. Taylor, who died at Rochester in the spring of 1899. From this union there were five children, all surviving, viz.: Mrs. Ella Belden, Mrs. Kate Slaght, William, Charles and Fred Robertson. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson moved to Rochester in 1865 where they have since resided.

"Andrew Robertson was one of the old-line Oddfellows, joining one of the first lodges chartered in Racine. Mr. Robertson was one of the rare few perfectly even-tempered men-the same yesterday, to-day, and to-morrow. Like many who wrought hard with their hands he accumulated but little of this world's goods, but instead, he left that which is prized by his children more than riches, to wit: a good name, for sterling honesty and integrity second to none in the community.

"The immediate cause of his death was a complication of kidney troubles of long standing. The funeral was from the Congregational church, and in charge of the Oddfellows lodge of Rochester, Rev. Loomis preaching the funeral sermon." (Grave Marker)

 


Sources:
  1. Source (10), volume G, page 309.
  2. Source (11), obituary 29 April 1899.
  3. Source (47), page 943.
  4. Source (17).
  5. Source (13), page 78.
  6. Source (14).
  7. Source (15).
  8. Source (11), 29 April 1899.
  9. Source (16).
  10. Source (11), 6 Sept. 1906.
  11. Source (12), "The History of Columbia County, Wisconsin", Western Historical Co., MDCCCLXXX.
  12. Source; 31 January 1984 letter from Margaret Robertson Williams.
  13. Source; (back flyleaf of 'Holly Berries' book).
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