ANDREW JACKSON ROBERTSON

I. FIRST GENERATION: ANDREW JACKSON ROBERTSON

SECOND GREAT GRANDFATHER, 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;

Ella Adelia, born 12 March 1852, married Allen H. Belden, 3 July 1873, she died 1 July 1922, Beloit, Wisconsin.
William T., born 22 Sep 1859 in Portage, Columbia, Wisconsin, married Fannie E Hill. He died in Nebraska.
Katy, born 1856, married Munn Slaight 2 July 1887 in Rochester, Racine. She died in 1906 Palmyra, WI
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.
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)

William T. Robertson

#1 Published in the August 17, 1927 Pilot, Blair, Nebraska
W. T. Robertson Buried Sunday-Brother of C. H. Robertson, Died in Fremont Hospital Friday August 12; -A Former Blair Resident
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. H. Robertson, of this city, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Robertson, of Herman, went over to Fremont Sunday afternoon to attend the funeral service of their brother, William T. Robertson, which was held at the Fred Bader Funeral Home at 3 o'clock. Burial was in the Ridge Cemetery in charge of the Knights of Pythias.
W. T. came to Blair as a collar maker when the old Blair Horse Collar Co. was flourishing many years ago. When the factory here burned, he removed to Fremont about 28 years ago and worked in the Fremont Saddlery Co. until that business was discontinued about 15 years ago, when he entered the employ of the Northwestern Railway Co. He was employed as a checker in the freight depot at the time of his last illness. Mr. Robertson was born in Portage, Wis., Sept. 22, 1859, so was almost 68 years of age. He was married here to Miss Fanny Hills, a sister of Mrs. Kern Boggs, a Blair resident at that time. Two children were born to them, Fred Jr., of Los Angeles, Calif., and Miss Alice, of Omaha. Mrs. Robertson died in July of 1912 Mr. Robertson was a member of the Triumph Lodge, Knights of Pythias in Fremont of this city, of Trapbois Camp, M. W. A., of this city, carrying an insurance policy for $1,000. Besides his two children he leaves two brothers, Chas., of this city, and Fred, of Herman, and one sister, Mrs. Slaght, of Racine Wisc.
#2 Printed in the July 21, 1927 Tribune, Blair, Nebraska

WM. ROBERTSON DIES Was Resident of Blair For a Number of Years William T. Robertson, a former resident of Blair, died at a Fremont hospital last Friday following an illness of nearly three weeks. Mr. Robertson suffered an attack of congestion of the lungs and while his condition at first was quite serious, he rallied and seemed to be on his way to recovery. The deceased was born in Portage, Wis., Sept. 22, 1859, and when but a young man he came to Blair where he was employed for a number of years in the collar factory until it burned down in 1899, after which he moved to Fremont. He continued with a Fremont firm as a harness maker until about fifteen years ago when he entered the employ of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway Company with whom he was employed up until the time of his death. Mr. Robertson was married to Miss Fanny Hills of this city to which union two children were born, both of whom survive him. Mrs. Robertson died at the home in Fremont in 1912. The deceased was of a quiet and retiring disposition, but made friends of all of his acquaintances. He was an active member of the Knights of Pythias lodge and was an official of the order in this city for a number of years. The funeral was held at Fremont on Sunday afternoon after which the body was laid to rest in the Fremont cemetery. He leaves to mourn his loss a son, Fred, Jr. of Los Angeles, Calif., one daughter, Miss Alice of Omaha, a sister, Mrs. Slaght of Racine, Wisconsin, and two brothers, Charles of this city and Fred of Herman. ~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library ~~~

Sources:

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