Jacob H. Robertson - Bishop Post, G.A.R.

This photo was identified as Jacob Robinson on the old GAR photo from the 1910 era.  But that name led to a dead end until I realized that this was actually John Robertson!  His name was spelled from Robinson to Robterson to Robertson on the censuses of Tiffin Township, Defiance County.  In one of the Virginia censuses including his parents and siblings, three versions of the spelling appeared in one entry.  This made John H. a problem at first!

A visit to the 1890 veterans census was enlightening as his name was crossed off with CONF. written next to it.  Yes, he was a private in Company A, 35th Virginia Cavalry, White's Battalion or White's Rebels.  His service of 42 days found him as a POW at least once briefly.

The Commemorative Biographical Record of Northwestern Ohio, 1899 had this to say about Jacob H. Robertson:

"This gentleman has for almost a quarter of century been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Defiance County.  He is a native of the Old Dominion, born March 3, 1844, in Loudoun County, Virginia, a son of Seth and Christine (Mason) Robertson, the former who is a native of Loudoun County, the latter of Fauquier County, in the same state.  They died in the former county, honored and respected by all who knew them.  By occupation, the father was a miller and millwright."

In 1850, Jacob was enumerated on the census with his parents and siblings: Betsy, 15 (probably Matilda Elizabeth, who later lived with and kept house for Jacob in Ohio), Jane, 13, Mary and Jacob, both 8.  It could be that they were twins.  In this entry, among the family members, both Robertson and Robinson were used as the surname.  Both of Jacob's parents died by 1859, so in 1860, Jacob worked out as a farm laborer for the Ben Brown family at the age of 16.

The Commemorative Record continued:

" The subject of this sketch, who is the youngest in the family of five children, was reared and educated in his native county.  During the Civil War, he enlisted in Company A, Thirty-fifth Virginia Battalion of Cavalry, C.S.A. and served three months, being honorably discharged at the end of that time on account of physical disability, as he was seriously wounded during an engagement in Loudoun county. 

 In the War of the Rebellion, Formal Report by the U.S. War Department, Brig. Gen John W. Gray wrote of a battle near Wheatlands, VA on October 22, 1862.  He wrote: 
"Of prisoners, we took 2 officers and 20 men.  Of these, Jacob H. Robertson was so badly wounded that I paroled him."

The Commemorative Record continued: 

"On leaving home at the age of twenty years, Mr. Robertson came to Ohio, and for ten years engaged in farming in Seneca county.  In 1875 he removed to Defiance county and located in Tiffin township, where he bought eighty acres of land, to the cultivation and improvement of which he at once turned his attention.  As his financial resources increased, he added to the original purchase one hundred and twenty acres, and now has one of the best and most highly cultivated farms in the township.

1890 Defiance County Plat Map, Section 24

 The Commemorative Record continued:

"In Seneca county, Mr. Robertson married October 19, 1876, to Miss Minerva Berger, who was born and raised in that county and died March 16, 1881, aged thirty-three years, six months, four days leaving two children: Edgar M., born September 14, 1877, and Howard E., born April 17, 1880.  They lost one son, Worth D. (B for Berger), who died in infancy."

The obituary of Edgar Mayo Robertson revealed that his mother, Minerva, died when he was three years old.  No obituary could be found for her.  So, in 1881, Jacob was left with three year old Edgar and an infant to raise.  Perhaps this was why his unmarried sister, Elizabeth, came to live with the family.  

Defiance Crescent News, September 10, 1937

 In 1900, Elizabeth, Jacob's sister, was identified as a housekeeper in the census.  She was 65 at that time.  Edgar, 22, single, and Howard E., also single, both lived at home.  By 1910, the boys were grown and gone, and Jacob, 65, lived with sister, Matilda E. (Elizabeth?) who was then 75.

Photo from the Commemorative Record

The Commemorative Record continued:

" Mr. Robertson uses his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the Populist party, and takes a commendable interest in political affairs.  As one of the leading and representative citizens of his township, he has been called upon to serve in a number of local positions of honor and trust, the duties of which he most ably performed."

Jacob Robertson died on August 7, 1920 in Defiance County.  He was buried at the Webb Cemetery, which is now called the Noble and Tiffin Cemetery. Buried with him were his sister, Elizabeth, and infant son, Worth Berger.

 

Images are from findagrave.com

(This is part of a series on Civil War veterans of Defiance County who were part of the G.A.R., Bishop Post, that headquartered in the city.  Formed in 1879, the post was named after a local man, Captain William Bishop, Company D, 100th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Army who died as a result of wounds received in battle.  The veterans' photos are part of a composite photo of members that has survived.  If you have other information or corrections to add to the soldiers' stories, please add to the comments!)