JOHN C. ROBART

John C. Robart. Ohio has given to Michigan many estimable citizens, but she has contributed none more universally respected and esteemed than the pioneer whose name heads this sketch. It is always a pleasure to deal with the history of one who is a member of one of those grand old families who have for generations been distinguished for patriotism, the genuine spirit of Christianity and strong characteristics that have made them men of mark. John C. Robart is a product of Ohio, born in Portage County, December 29, 1836, and the tenth of twelve children born to the union of James and Annie (Croy) Robart, of English and Danish extraction, respectively.

James Robart was born in New Jersey, where his ancestors settled in 1649. They were among the oldest English families in the State and all the members of this family sided with the colonists, and fought bravely for independence. James Robart moved to Ohio with his mother and stepfather when a boy, and settled in the Western Reserve, which has contributed so much population and intelligence to other States. There he finished his growth, married and resided until after the birth of our subject, when he and his family moved to Tuscarawas County, but only resided there for a few years. From there they to what is now Fulton County, Ohio, and in 1844 came to Michigan, which then was a wilderness. At that time the city of Coldwater boasted of three stores and a hotel. Mr. Robart purchased a small amount of land from the Government, and while clearing up his farm was accidentally killed by a falling tree, in 1848. In 1858 his widow married Allen Hebner, and died in 1860.

The children born to the above-mentioned couple were as follows: Phoebe (deceased), who was the wife of C. Harrison; Amelia (deceased), who was the wife of Peter Gee; Hiram (deceased); Minerva (deceased) who was the wife of Nathan Jones; Annie, wife of Leander Whitten; Sybil, wife of Andrew S. Hopkins; James; Rachel, wife of Levi Waldron; Mahala, wife of Martin Crego; John C.; Catherine, wife of Derrick Sutfin; and frank, who died in the army. The original of this sketch, John C. Robart, was educated in the common schools of Michigan, and remained with his mother and sisters until 1859, when he decided to locate in Iowa. For eight years he was a resident of that State, engaging in farming and freighting across the plains, and during that time he had many exciting adventures with the Indians, principally Sioux and Cheyennes. It was nothing very uncommon to find men scalped and with stakes driven through their bodies.

In 1861 Mr. Robart left the trail and engaged in tilling the soil in Monroe County, Iowa, continuing the same until 1864, when he moved to Lucas County. There he remained until 1866, when he went on the railroad which is now the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy as foreman for J. E. Longford & Co., following this until May, 1868, when he went to Kansas City, MO. While in the latter place he engaged in grading and contracting, which he continued until 1870, and then went to Vernon County, Mo., where he farmed for one year. In 1872 he went to Crawford County, Kan., and was engaged in coal-mining at that place for three years. From there he came to Ottawa County, Mich., resumed his old occupation of farming, and in 1876 settled on his present property. That section was perfect wilderness- no roads, no schools, no improvements of any kind-and here Mr. Robart settled on eighty acres. He now has fifty-five acres under cultivation, and in connection with tilling the soil is engaged in raising a fine grade of horses.

Miss Susie Thrall, who became his wife on the 1^st of February, 1863, was a native of Delaware County, Ohio, and the daughter of George and Annie (Baker) Thrall, of Russel, Iowa. Three children were given to Mr. and Mrs. Robart: Charles C., deceased; Mary E., wife of Arthur Drinkwater, of Holland, Mich.; and Carl J. In 1880 Mr. Robart was elected Highway Commissioner, and was also Census Enumerator, School Inspector in 1883, and Justice of the Peace in 1882. The last-named office he held for ten years. In 1891 and 1892 he was re-elected Highway Commissioner, and for sixteen years has been School Director in his district. In his political principals, he is an ardent Republican, and takes a deep interest in the success of his party, and served for six years on the Republican County Commission.