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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
Copyright 2008, all rights reserved.

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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of William T. ROBERTSON 

Page 584, transcribed by Karen Crane, the great-granddaughter of his sister Mary Elizabeth (Robertson) Crane. 

[Surnames: CRANE, CUNNINGHAM, HOUSE, IRWIN, MASON, RICHARDS, ROBERTSON, SMITH, WOODRUFF] 

    
William T. Robertson, of Robertson Bros. & Co., the leading dry-goods firm of Farmington, is a stirring young merchant, a man of unimpeachable integrity, and great business ability. He is a son of the well-known James Robertson, who is now living in retirement in Farmington, in the enjoyment of a handsome income. 
    
The father of our subject was born in Ireland, and was there married to Rachael Cunningham. They came to America soon after, and spent a few years in Philadelphia. Mr. Robertson worked at his trade in that city four or five years, and then removed to Wheeling, W. Va., where he remained several years. 
    
In 1854, he emigrated to Illinois and cast in his lot with the pioneers of Farmington. He has prospered in business here, and he and his wife are enjoying the fruits of a well-spent life in their commodious home. He is now nearly seventy-two years of age, and she is seventy. They are fine people, and are held in the highest estimation by the entire community where so many years of their life have passed. They have had six children, namely: Robert J., who is cashier of the Washington County Bank, of Akron, Col.; Joseph, who is engaged in the mercantile business in Farmington; James, who is a member of the same firm as our subject; Rachael, wife of James Irwin, of Akron, Col.; William Thomas, and Mary who married Frank Crane, a hardware merchant of Farmington. 
    
W.T., of whom this sketch is written, is a fine representative of the native-born citizens of Farmington. His birth took place here December 4th, 1854, and here he was reared and educated. At the age of seventeen he commenced his initiation into the mercantile business as a clerk in Mr. Richards' dry-goods store. He remained in the employ of that gentleman twelve years, and his fidelity to the interests of his employer, his promptness and his excellent business capacity, received their due reward, and at the end of that time his old employer took him into partnership. They have a convenient, well-arranged store, and a capital stock of $12,000; the trade that they command is a large one and brings them in much money. 
    
Mr. Robertson and Miss Cora A. Smith, were married in 1885. Mrs. Robertson is a daughter of George Smith, proprietor of the Palace Hotel of Farmington, and one of the earliest settlers of this region. 
    
In the pretty, cozy home that they have established here, one child has been born to them-- Albert S. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson possess many pleasant personal qualities, are people of the best social standing, and have many warm friends. Mr. Robertson is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Politically he gives his support to the Democratic party. 

Transcriber's note: A strange twist to the story of my William T. Robertson is that, in searching for his records in Lewistown, I discovered there were (2) William T. Robertsons living in Farmington at the same time. The "other" William was born in Aghadowey, Londonderry, Ireland, only a few months from the birthdate of "my" William. His parents were David Robertson and Mathilda Cunningham (same surnames). He was born in Ireland but didn't immigrate until 1875. He worked in a Furniture Store in Farmington. Both Williams were married within 10 days of each other in the Baptist Church of Farmington in 1885 by the same Pastor. The "other" William married Emma J. MASON. Her parents were James Mason (baptized PA) and Sarah WOODRUFF (baptized OH). (The first hotel in Farmington was the Mason House.) The parents of "my" William's wife, Cora M. Smith, were George Smith and Hester HOUSE. (He operated the Palace Hotel in Farmington.) I'm still trying to unravel this family mystery of similarities. --Karen Crane