ROBERTSON, JOSEPH

ROBERTSON, MCDOWELL, ENGLISH, ADAMS, LANE, WHITNEY

Posted By: Doretta Pimlott Cowman (email)
Date: 4/16/2013 at 18:21:10

The 1880 History of Poweshiek County Iowa

Sugar Creek Township

Page 690-1

ROBERTSON, JOSEPH -- Section 36, town 78, range 16 west. P.O. New Sharon. One of the oldest and best farmers in Sugar Creek township is Joseph Robertson, the subject of this sketch. When he settled here there were but three men living in the township, viz., John and James McDowell and William English, all of whom, except John McDowell are deceased. Mr. Robertson was born in Campbell county, East Tennessee on the 28th day of May, 1822. While he was very young his parents removed to Indiana and settled in Brown county, where he continued to live with his parents, laboring on the farm, until the breaking ouf of the war with Mexico, when he enlisted in company E, Third Indiana volunteer infantry, Captain Adams, of Montezuma (and who, Mr. Robertson says, is one of the best men living), was his captain, and Jim Lane, of Kansas fame, was his colonel. His regiment was made up at New Albany, Indiana, from which place it went to New Orleans, and from there to Santiago. He participated in the battle of Buena Vista, where he received a shot under the left arm from a spent-ball which, however, had not force enough to penetrate. At the close of the Mexican War he returned to his home, where he continued to live until 1850, when he removed with his young family and settled on the land where he now resides on the 18th of May, which land Uncle Samuel gave him for the services rendered in Mexico, and which is now a splendid farm in the valley of the Skunk River. He has continued, as he has been able, to purchase what joins him until his farm now contains five hundred and twenty-seven acres, all in fine cultivation and fenced with substantial fences; has fine buildings and good orchard, besides beautiful natural and ornamental trees. His farm is well stocked with horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep, and, in fact, he has everything about him which heart could desire; and there is but one thing to mar his happiness, and that is the loss of his companion, who died in August, 1865, since which time Uncle Joseph, as his neighbors call him, has continued to live single. He was married April 23rd, 1848, to Miss Eliza Whitney, by which union they have nine children who are now living, whose names are: Stephen, Miranda J., Andrew J., Pleasant, Elizabeth, Winnie W., George W., James M., Mary L., besides one who is dead: Martha A.