Robert Robertson was born in Kennoway, Fife, Scotland[1] on 13 Nov 1870.[2] He was the son of James Robertson and Isabella Henderson.[1] He died on 16 May 1956.[2][3]
After he completed some schooling, Robert worked in various places in Fifeshire, Scotland. He apprenticed as a blacksmith under his uncle and he worked as an engineer in spinning mills. He worked for a time in coal mines until two bouts of pleurisy made it imperative that he work above ground. Robert came to the East Weymess Colliery as sectionman for two years and section foreman for four years.[4]
He married Janet Given Cook 22 Jul 1898 in Methilhill, Fife, Scotland.[4][5] The Robertsons had three children.
Robert had the urge to emigrate to Australia, but when he learned that his two brothers-in-law were moving to Canada he altered his plans and also came to Canada.[4]
Robert sailed on the S.S. Sarmatian[7] from Glasgow, Scotland on 24 Apr 1907 and arrived in Boston on 7 May 1907. He was a Railway Surfaceman looking for work. He crossed the Canadian border then traveled to Fernie, British Columbia to find work and a home for his family.[8] He found work in Moyie, British Columbia and in August 1907 he called for his wife, Janet, and their two sons, James (8) and Thomas (6) to join him there. They boarded the S.S. Cassandra[9] and arrived in Quebec City, Quebec to make their journey across the Country to be reunited with Robert.[6][10]
Initially the family settled in a small mining town called Moyie, British Columbia where Janet's brother had settled to work as a farmer. Robert worked for the railway. During their time in Moyie, Janet gave birth to their baby daughter, Janet, on 6 Dec 1908.[11] The mining town blossomed in the early 1900's and "in 1907 the St. Eugene Mine was described by the Canadian Department of Mines as being '...the most important silver-lead mine in Canada.'"[12]
Although there was good, steady work with the railroad in Moyie, the town was not ideal for raising a young family. "In the 1901 census, Moyie had a thousand residents, predominantly males who lived in boarding houses. Most of the local recreation consisted of what was offered by the lakefront saloons and brothels."[12]
It appears the Robertsons were still in Moyie in 1909 when their 2 year old nephew passed away. He was the son of Janet's brother, Archibald Cook. He was buried in Moyie in February 1909.[13] The Robertsons and the Cooks moved to Vancouver Island and settled in Wellington, north of Nanaimo, British Columbia. Based on the 1911 Census it appears the Robertsons lived next to the Cooks. Robert became a Section Foreman for the railroad.[6]
Some time after 1911, Robert was offered a job as the Section Foreman for the E&N Railway in the Village of Chemainus. The E&N was later acquired by the CPR. He and his family lived in the station house by the railroad tracks. The station house was located near what is now Chemainus Road and Fir Street. Land was inexpensive and he bought up several acres of land with the plans to eventually build a house for his retirement. Janet's brothers David and James bought land next to theirs and farmed it with their families.[4]
In 1921, the oldest son, James married Delta Kelly. He worked for the Canadian Pacific Railway. His brother, Thomas, was working at the saw mill in town. His younger sister Janet "Nettie" was also living at home and attending school.[14]
It is not stated when, but both Robert and Janet became born-again Christians and were strong in their faith in the Lord. They were raised as Scotch Presbyterians but later came to personal faith in Jesus Christ. They were members of a Baptist Church for a period of time. Robert helped plant a small Brethren Church in the Village of Chemainus called Hope Hall. Each of their three children believed the gospel and they were born again[15]
They left a good heritage of faithfully following the Lord and His teachings and their immediate family did as well.[4]
Robert's son, Thomas, met a young nurse in town named Marjorie Harris. They married in 1925 and had two sons, Robert Lewis Robertson and Thomas Arden Robertson. Marjorie passed away in 1932 leaving behind her husband and two young boys.[4]
The Robertsons took them in and helped raise them as Thomas sought work in sales that would help to provide for their needs. In 1937 he married Annie Griffiths.[4] In 1936, Robert retired from his work with the Canadian Pacific Railway and settled into the house they had built. The two boys lived with Robert and Janet for at least another year until Thomas and Annie settled into their own place. Robert sold off some of his land as retirement income.[4]
Robert passed into the presence of His Lord on 16 May 1956 at 85 years old.[16]
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