Dr. Henry Martyn Robertson (1899)

ROBERTSON

Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 11/8/2023 at 18:04:34

The Winterset News
Winterset, Iowa
Friday, May 26, 1899
Page 1, Column 2

FOUND DEAD

Dr. Robertson Found Dead in Bed in Minneapolis

Dr. Robertson, the former pastor of the Presbyterian church of this city, was found dead in bed in the house of his step-son, Friday morning of last week.

He had gone from Des Moines to attend the meeting of the Presbytery at Minneapolis and was in good health. While attending the meeting he stayed with his step-son, Mr. Penny, and retired for the night in usual health. In his room was a gas jet which was not in good order and Mr. Penny had cautioned him about turning it off. Evidently he failed to heed the warning for the gas jet was partially open and Dr. Robertson was found dead in the bed when Mr. Penny went to the room the next morning. He had evidently tried to get up as his feet were on the floor, but he had fallen backward on the bed.

The funeral occurred Tuesday in Des Moines, where his wife was buried. Several of his old friends in this city went to Des Moines to attend it, the Presbyterian Church sending a delegation down as a testimonial of his esteem.
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Necrological Report
Alumni Association
Princeton Theological Seminary
May 8, 1900

HENRY MARTYN ROBERTSON, D. D.

Son of the Rev. Samuel and Dorcas (Platt) Robertson, was born January 26, 1822, Huntington, L. I,, N. Y. His boyhood was spent at Dryden, Canajoharie and Schoharie, N. Y., Where his father was pastor.

His preparatory studies were pursued in the Canajoharie and Schoharie Acadamies, and he graduated from Union College, Schenectady in 1842. He was principal of the Kingsboro Academy, capital and. Y., From 1843 to 1845.

At this time, being twenty-three years of age, he united with the Reformed Dutch Church of Schoharie on confession, and devoting himself to the ministry, he entered the Seminary at Princeton in 1845. Taking the full three years course there he graduated in 1848. He was licensed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, April 28, 1847 and ordained an evangelist by the Presbytery of Wisconsin (now Milwaukee), in March 1849. He went to Wisconsin as a home missionary in 1848 and was stated supply of the First Presbyterian Church, Neenah, Wis., from July, 1848, Bill November, 1853, from which time until October, 1855, he was synodical missionary of the Synod of Wisconsin.

This was followed by 2 pastorates, it double one over Horicon and Dodge Centre, Wis., October, 1855, to make, 1860, and Fond du Lac, Wis., May, 1860, to October 1866. From this last date until April 1, 1867, he was the financial secretary for the Theological Seminary of the North West (now McCormick Seminary). He was then pastor of the Westminster Church, Columbus,O., from June, 1867, until June 12, 1870. This was followed by a service as financial secretary for Wooster University, until January, 1871.

Then he was pastor of the church’s home Blendon and Central College, O., from November, 1871, to November, 1876; pastor at Kenton, O., from November, 1876 to December, 1881; served as a home missionary in Arizona and California, from February 1, 1882, 2 September 1, 1883; was pastor at Winterset, Iowa, from November, 1883, to November, 1889. He spent the following winter and Minneapolis, Minn.; was stated supply of the Central Presbyterian Church of Des Moines, Iowa from March to October 1, 1890; of the First Church, Kansas City, Mo., from November 1, 1892 April 1, 1891; of the Clifton Heights Church, Des Moines, Iowa, from June 1, 1891 to June 1, 1895.

He spent the next winter with his daughter at, Everett, Wash., and then supplied the church at Fairhaven, Wash., from April 1, 1896 to April 1, 1897. This time he was honorably retired from the active work of the ministry, after a long and useful career. He took up his residence in Des Moines, Iowa, until his death which occurred suddenly, during the night, May 20, 1899, in Minneapolis, Minn., while he was visiting the General Assembly, then in session in that city. He was in the 78th year of his age when he died.

He received the degree of D. D. from Otterbein University, O., in 1876. He was buried in the cemetery at Des Moines. Dr. Robertson was the stated clerk of Winnebago Presbytery from its organization in 1851, and was appointed clerk of the Synod of Wisconsin at its organization.

He was twice married: (1) November 4, 1848 at Raymond, Wis., to Miss Lemira Judson, who died March 20, 1854; (2) January 21, 1862 at Fond du Lac, Wis., to Mrs. Clarissa M. (Coleman) Penney, who died may 30, 1893. One son and one daughter survive him.

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