Biographical Sketch of

Robert J. Robertson

Transcribed by Sandy Boudrou



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 556 - 557 


Robert J. Robertson has been identified with the growth and development of Green Lake County since the year 
1844, when with his father's family he emigrated to the West.  He was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1828, and is 
a son of Robert and Sarah (White) Robertson, whose father was of Scottish and mother of Irish parentage.  He 
was educated in the schools of his native city, remaining there until about twelve years of age, when with 
the family he removed to New York, where for a number of years he was employed in a foundry.  After four 
years had passed, however, Mr. Robertson emigrated to the Territory of Wisconsin, landing in Milwaukee in 
the month of July.  They went by water to Milwaukee where a yoke of oxen was purchased and then proceeded 
on to their destination.  In the fall they removed to the farm of 160 acres which Mr. Robertson had purchased 
of a land agent and began life in true pioneer style.  The farm was situated on sections 35 and 36, of what 
is now Manchester Township, Green Lake County, but was then comprised in Marquette County.  A log cabin was 
erected, the lumber for the roof and floor being hauled from a distant market and in due time the family was 
installed in their new home.  The first night, having no beds, they passed upon the floor, but in the course 
of time they were comfortably settled and began the cultivation of the land which was hitherto wild and 
unimproved.  In the spring of 1845, Mr. Robertson planted his first crop of wheat and before many seasons had 
rolled around had his entire farm under cultivation.  He hauled his produce to Watertown, selling to a party 
of Englishmen.  He received the first money in payment for produce in this part of the county.  He was 
permitted to enjoy his new home until 1869, when the final summons came and he passed away, aged eighty-two 
years.
 
The early life of our subject was passed amid the turmoil of the city until sixteen years of age, since which 
time he has lived amid the quiet scenes of country life.  He assisted his father in the cultivation of the farm 
and bore his share in the hardships and trials of pioneer life.  In the year 1847 he was united in marriage 
with Miss Janet Cameron, after which he took charge of the farm and has been very successful in his business 
career.  Like all others, he has met with some reverses including the loss of a part of his land through the 
dishonesty of the land agents.  He has made many substantial and beautiful improvements and is now owner of 
one of the finest farms in the community.  In the early days, when agricultural implements were of a very 
crude character, he labored with untiring zeal to make for himself and wife a pleasant home.  He is, however, 
a man of progressive ideas and has ever kept abreast of the times.  He was one of the first to possess a 
McCormick reaper and now upon his farm may be found all the latest improved machinery.  The sickles which he 
used in early days for harvesting grain, he still preserves as a relic of that early time.
 
In 1871, Mr. Robertson was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, and in her death a most faithful companion 
and helpmate was taken from him.  He was afterward again married, his second union being with Elizabeth Shibley, 
by whom he had two children, Robert John and May Alice, both of whom are yet at home.  Death again entered his 
dwelling in 1882, and a second time carried away a devoted wife.  She died on the 2nd day of April and was 
mourned by many friends.  Miss May now as far as possible fills her mother's place, and ably discharges the 
duties devolving upon her.
 
Mr. Robertson has been one of the industrious and enterprising farmers of the county, and by his own efforts 
has acquired all his possessions.  He is the owner of 120 acres of the old homestead, upon which he has resided 
for the long and continuous period of forty-five years.  He is a warm supporter of the Republican party, and has 
taken an active part in promoting the social, educational and moral interests of the community.  He is numbered 
among the honored pioneers of the county and is one of the few left to relate the story of life in this community 
when Green Lake County was situated on the Western frontier.  There are now but two of the settlers of 1844 yet 
living, and before many years have rolled around they also will have been called home.  It thus becomes the duty 
as well as the pleasure of the historian to perpetuate their names by written record, as we have done that of 
Robert J. Robertson, one of the esteemed and valued citizens of Central Wisconsin.
 





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