John Robe (abt. 1803 - 1887)

Born about Oct 1803 in Ireland

Husband of Catharine (Messersmith) Robe — married 26 Mar 1835 in Johnson, Indiana, United States

Died 30 Oct 1887 at about age 84 in Johnson, Indiana, United States

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Biography

Son of Andrew and Mary Robe.

Husband of Catharine Messersmith.

The Franklin Republican, Friday, November 4, 1887, Volume 43, Number 44, page 1, column 6

Rev. John Robe died at his residence on the Three Notch Road, in the north part of this county, on last Sabbath, Oct 30th. Two weeks previous, as he was returning from church, he received a fall. Mr. Robe being an aged gentleman, this injury proved fatal. The funeral services were held on Monday at Mount Auburn M.E. church, and the remains were buried in the Shiloh cemetery, near Waverly. Mr. Robe was born in Ireland, October, 1803. Two years afterward his parents, Andrew and Mary Robe, came to this country and settled in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. At the age of ten his mother died, and he was apprenticed to a blacksmith and worked at that trade for a time. On account of his father’s failing health the son, John, returned to the farm. In 1834 they came to Indiana and the next year his father died. In 1835 Mr. Robe was married to Miss Catharine Messersmith and settled on the little farm where he resided until his death, Mrs. Robe, his wife, having died in April, 1877.

Mr. Robe was of Presbyterian parentage, of “the straightest sect.” When quite young he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he oftentimes in his life related his peculiar Christian experience. While yet young he was licensed as a local preacher. His labors were attended with marked success and he filled several appointments as supply. He was ordained deacon in 1844 and elder in 1855.

Mr. Robe was a brother to William Robe, of Morgan county, who was assassinated at the time of the late war. He had accumulated some property which he disposed of by will, with Ira T. Gregg and John W. Robe as Executors. One-third he bequeathed to the Ministers Aid Society of the S. E. Indiana M. E. conference; one-third to foreign missions, and one-third to relatives. Thus another pioneer, who was full of energy and integrity has passed away. ^[1]

1850 Census, White River, Johnson, Indiana John Robe age 48 b Ireland; Catherine Robe age 47 b VA; Simeon Hamilton age 15 b IN; Elisa J. Dillman age 11 b Indiana. ^[2]

1860 Census, White River Township, Johnson, Indiana: John Robe age 57 b Ireland; Cath Robe age 58 b VA ^[3]

Buried with his brother William. Grave marker has birth date Dec 1803.

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32139587
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHJL-9M3 : 12 April 2016), Catherine Robe in household of John Robe, White River, Johnson, Indiana, United States; citing family 208, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4N8-JMT : 13 December 2017), Cath Robe in entry for John Robe, 1860.

• "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHBV-YFK : 15 August 2017), John Robe, Johnson, Indiana, United States; citing p. 301, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 84; FHL microfilm 7,726.

• "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXF3-J6T : 12 April 2016), John Robe, Indiana, United States; citing p. 39, family 278, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,829.

• "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH96-XMY : 14 August 2017), John Robe in household of John Stitts, White River, Johnson, Indiana, United States; citing enumeration district ED 151, sheet 62A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm 1,254,288.

• "Find A Grave Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVK3-BYGL : 13 December 2015), John Robe, 1887; Burial, Franklin, Johnson, Indiana, United States of America, Greenlawn Cemetery; citing record ID 32139587, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32139587