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Archiver > ROBERTSON > 1998-05 > 0895779813


From: MeiToi <>
Subject: ROBERTSON Report Vol 2 part 2
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 15:43:33 EDT


This was in 1846, the time of the war with Mexico. In may, 1846, he enlisted
in the 4th O.V.I. under Charles Brough. They left Cincinnati the last of
June, and went down the Ohio and Mississippi to N ew Orleans; from there to
the mouth of the Rio Grande and up that river to Natamoras; from there to Vera
Cruz: from there they marched to Puelbo, where they remained until the close
of the war, when they returned to Cincinnati and were mustered out of the
service. After his return from Mexico Mr. Robertson remained at home until
1851, when he came to Sidney and entered into partnership with Patrick Fehan
in the marble business. This partnership continued about three years, when
they dissolved, and Mr. R. went into the business for himself, which he has
carried on until the present time. In 1860 he married Miss Mary E., a
daughter of George D. Leckey, of Sidney. By this union there were sic
children born, viz., Lulu G., Clement W., Lillie S., George S., Mary I.,and
Nellie. Mrs. Robertson died May, 1874. She was an estimable lady, beloved by
all who knew her for her amiable and self-sacrificing disposition. At her
death her loss was felt, not only by her devoted husband and loving children,
but by the whole community in which she lived. It would not be out of place
here to notice briefly some of Mr. Robertson's public life. While he has
always been a man of rather retired and timid disposition, never having
aspired to public honors or emoluments, yet he has ever been prominent in all
the public enterprises of his town and county. After the close of the late
rebellion, the citizens of Sidney and vicinity took steps toward the erection
of a soldier's monument. After a certain amount of funds had been raised for
that purpose, but before anything was done toward its erection, Mr. Robertson
conceived the idea of a "monumental building" instead of a monument. He
suggested his idea to some of his friends, who heartily indorsed it. The
conception was original with him, for at that time there was no such building
anywhere in the United States. He was one of the Board of Trustees, and was
appointed by them the Superintendent of the construction of the building, and
to him more than any other one man is due the credit, not only of the
conception, but the planning and erection of a structure that is a credit to
Sidney and Shelby County, as well as an honor to their fallen
heroes.........continued....

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