ROBERTSON, James, Jr. - 1914

ROBERTSON, CROMIE, WILSON, SOPER, WHITE

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/1/2009 at 13:13:53

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

JAMES ROBERTSON, Jr.

James Robertson, Jr., cashier of the Washta State Bank and well known in financial circles of Cherokee county since he aided in organizing this institution in 1888, was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, near Port Sarnia, October 1, 1864. He is a son of James and Catherine (Comrie) Robertson, the former a native of Perth, Scotland, and the latter of Comrie, that country. The father moved to Canada in the 50s and settled near Port Sarnia, where he cultivated a farm until 1867. In that year he went to Cedar county, Iowa, and purchased a farm near Clarence, whence he moved after two years to Cherokee county. He worked first for a Mr. Archer in a grain elevator and later associated himself with Thomas Patton in the grain and lumber business. They continued together until 1887, after which Mr. Robertson conducted the business alone until 1898, when he discontinued the grain department, retaining, however, the other branch of his business, in which he is still interested. He assisted in the organization of the Bank of Washta in 1888 and became president of the institution upon its incorporation as the Washta State Bank. He still retains this position, although he is living practically retired. In his family were nine children: Margaret, at home; Isabel V., widow of A. S. \Vilson; Agnes J., at home; William and Peter, deceased; James, Jr., of this review; Sarah, deceased; Alexander D., of Washta; and John, deceased.

James Robertson, Jr., was educated in the public schools of Cherokee, graduating in the first class from the Cherokee high school in 1884. He afterward attended the Northwestern University at Evanston, where he took a two years philosophical course. In 1888 he came to Washta with his father and in June of that year they organized the Bank of Washta as a private institution. In 1889 this was incorporated as the Washta State Bank, with a capital of twenty five thousand dollars and with the following officers: James Robertson, president; Thomas Boothby, vice president; and James Robertson, Jr., cashier. In 1891 the present building was erected, a modern twostory structure twenty six and two-thirds by seventyfive feet in dimensions. The bank has a surplus of twelve thousand, five hundred dollars and has grown to be one of the strongest and most reliable financial institutions in this section of Cherokee county. Its. present officers are: James Robertson, president; Ellen Boothby, vice president; James Robertson, Jr., cashier; A. D. Robertson, assistant cashier; and J. C. Robertson, bookkeeper. It has the following board of directors: W. A. Sanford, N. T. Burroughs, A. J. Robertson, James Robertson, Ellen Boothby and James Robertson, Jr.

On the i4th of August, 1889, Mr. Robertson was united in marriage to Miss Almeda J. Soper, a daughter of Ransom and Rachel (White) Soper, of Cherokee. The parents were natives of Maine and the father followed the merchandise business there and at Quasequeton, Iowa. Both have passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson have become the parents of four children: Miriam S., James C., Rachel C. and Malcolm Drummond.

Mr. Robertson is connected with the Masonic order, being a member of Little Sioux Lodge, No. 521, of Washta; Burning Bush Chapter, R. A. M.; the Crusade Commandery of Cherokee, Iowa; and the Za-GaZig Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S., of Des Moines, Iowa. He is a member of the Grant Club of Des Moines and of the Rho Chapter of Beta Theta Pi at Northwestern University. He is a devout member of the Presbyterian church. His political support is given to the republican party and he has been very active in public affairs, serving in various positions of trust and responsibility. He was a member of the school board for twelve years and has been mayor of Washta, proving a capable and efficient executive. He is recognized as a prominent factor in business circles of Washta, his influence being felt along many lines which affect the public welfare.