JOHN ROBERTSON, a retired farmer residing in Centralia, was born in Tecumseh, Lenawee County, Mich., February 20, 1834, and is a son of John C. Robertson, a native of New Jersey. The grandfather, David Robertson, was also a native of that state. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of Matilda Goheen, was the youngest of a family of eight children, and was born and reared in Livingston County, N. Y. About two years after their marriage, they located in Lenawee County, Mich., where some time previous the father of our subject had entered land from the Government. There were only eleven families in the county at the time, and the Robertsons, like the others, lived in true pioneer style. They lived on the Indian trail between Detroit and the west, and the red men were seen in the neighborhood in great numbers. Bears and wolves were frequently shot, and deer and other wild game could be secured in abundance.
J. C. Robertson made a home in Michigan, but afterward removed to La Grange County, Ind., becoming one of its honored pioneers. Subsequently he bought a farm in Hillsdale County, Mich., and carried on a store in the town of Hillsdale for about three years. The succeeding three years of his life were spent upon a farm in Steuben County, Ind., after which he lived with his son in Hillsdale until his death, which occurred in 1884. His wife passed away in 1864.
In the Robertson family were twelve children, all of whom grew to mature years, while seven yet abide.
The father was a Whig in politics until the organization of the Republican party, when he became one of its stanch supporters. Both he and his wife were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church.
Born in a pioneer home, John Robertson was reared amid the wild scenes of the frontier, both in Michigan and in Indiana. He has shared in the hardships and trials of such a life, and has aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm.
He was married in 1858 to Eliza Barkley, daughter of Robert Barkley, a farmer and minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They became the parents of two children, Arthur W., who is engaged in farming in Centralia Township, Marion County, and Amy Matilda, wife of John M. Martin, a farmer of the same community.
The mother died May 6, 1861, and in May, 1862, Mr. Robertson was married to -Mrs. Melissa Norris, widow of J. B. Norris, of Hillsdale County, Mich., and a daughter of Virgil Gould. Her father was a native of AVatertown,N. Y., and Mrs. Robertson was married in Hillsdale, Mich., where she resided.
In 1858, Mr. Robertson located in Reading, Mich., but after two years removed to Allen, Mich., where he remained until 1866. In the spring of that year he came to Marion County, ILL., and purchased forty acres of land on section 13, Centralia Township. To this he added until he owned one hundred and twenty acres. He was successfully engaged in general farming, stock-raising and in fruit growing, and was thus employed until December 9, 1890, when he came to Centralia, where he has since made his home. All of the improvements upon his farm were placed there by himself, and his labors made it one of the valuable and desirable country homes of the neighborhood.
Mr. Robertson has ever taken an active interest in the cause of education, and for twelve years engaged in teaching through the winter season. He is now serving his second term as a member of the Board of Education in Centralia. He has also been Commissioner of the township, and is now Township Supervisor.
In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and is a member of the Farmers' Protective Association of Marion County. From an humble position he has steadily worked his way upward to one of affluence, and he is now living retired in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.
Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Chapman Publishing Co, Chicago, 1894
Pages 208-209
Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer