37. George Lee⁵ ROBERTSON (George Granberry⁶, Asaph Powell⁷, Norvell⁸, Jeffery⁹, Jeffery¹⁰, Jeoffrey¹¹, Rev William¹², John¹³, Thomas¹⁴, William¹⁵, William¹⁶, David¹⁷, Gilbert¹⁸, John¹⁹, Alexander²⁰, Robert "Riach"²¹ DUNCANSON of STRUAN, Duncan²² of RANNOCH, Robert²³ , Duncan "The Stout"²⁴ of ATHOLL)⁽²⁵⁾ was born 15 DEC 1862. George died 15 JAN 1933 at 70 years of age.⁽²⁶⁾ RESEARCH NOTES: Possibly from pernicious anemia. His body was interred in Kitchen Creek Cemetary, Pollock, Louisiana.

He married Mary Missouri MORGAN 30 JUN 1887. Mary was born 30 MAR 1871. Mary died 6 FEB 1947 at 75 years of age.⁽²⁷⁾ Her body was interred in Kitchen Creek Cemetary, Pollock, Louisiana. SOURCE NOTES: The following essay was written by Donald L. ROBERTSON, George Lee ROBERTSON's youngest child, in 1978. "On June 30, 1887, George Lee Robertson, a native of Covington County, Mississippi, was united in marriage with Mary Missouri Morgan, of Rapides Parish, Louisiana. The ceremony was performed by Reverend J.P. Patton at the home of A.J. Willbanks. He was the eldest son of George Granberry and Amanda Chambers Robertson, originally from Mississippi and who had subsequently moved to Louisiana. She was the daughter of John and Marcia Chambers. Witnessing the marriage at the Willbanks home were Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Willbanks and S.D. Willbanks. "From this union 15 children were born, eight daughters and seven sons. All children, as far as can be determined, were born at Nugent, in Grant Parish, Rt. 2 Pollock, Louisiana. The family home where they grew up was situated on the Grant and Rapides Parish line, which led to the oft-repeated statement by the growing boys [heard more than once by this grandson of D.L. ROBERTSON -- WBS] that they "ate in Rapides and slept in Grant." [Note: this home is still standing and can be seen from La. Hwy. 165 which runs between Alexandria and Monroe, La. -- WBS, 02/11/1994] "The family grew up on a small farm on an 80 acre homestead divided by the Iron Mountain Railroad, later renamed the Missouri Pacific (MoPac). Robertson Road extends on line of Rapides and Grant Parish. What little extra money there was came from George's work in the commissary of the Nugent Lumber Co., at the mill or, later, from small amount he was paid for Notary Public work. He also served as trustee of Ball School. "As the older children grew up there was additional family income from wages for work on the railroad and from school teaching. All adult girls and Ernest have taught public school in the earlier years -- Rapides, Grant, Webster Parishes. "A study of the family clearly shows that while the small farm was the basic provider for the family, George was never really satisfied nor interested in farming as an occupation. Family records show numerous incidents which indicate that his basic interest and abilities were in legal work or in writing. There seems to be little doubt that, had it been possible for him to receive legal training before or while raising a family his life may have been happier and probably the family income would have been greater. Ambition and interest was above average in education. "On the other hand there are many samples of his writing showing and unusual 'knack' for word usage. Further, family records bear out that he loved to write. There are poems and other writings, all of which indicate that he must have had a 'flair' for writing. Records indicate also that this writing ability was recognized by relatives and friends, many of whom called on him to write obituaries for deceased relatives and friends. "Later, when the small farm eroded because of the little known or practiced soil conservation, and with top soil gone, could no longer support the family, the income of the older children helped with family expenses, medical bills and education expense for the younger children. In later life George, with financial support of a son, Ernest, tried his hand, unsuccessfully, at operating a restaurant and later operating a grocery store. Both were located at Paradise, a small community on Highway 165 between Alexandria and Pollock named by George L. Robertson. For this occupation, while he was very interested, he was not ideally suited by temperament, health and training. Further, his faith in his fellow man and desire to help the unfortunate led to many losses that he never recovered. Illness finally forced him to give up operation of the store. "By the time some of the younger children arrived, the older members were getting married and having children of their own. "As for the mother of the family, Mary, her life seemed to have been one of perpetual activity. Her family leadership in many activities especially in religious training and education of the family seems very evident. It was around her that the family rallied in time of trouble, and it was to her that many of the family looked for leadership. What with having 15 children, cooking for a growing family, washing, housekeeping, milking the cows, doing the gardening to feed the family and still helping in the field, her life was never quiet or dull. And yet there always was time for active church participation."

George Lee ROBERTSON and Mary Missouri MORGAN had the following children:

38 i. Grover Cleveland⁴ ROBERTSON⁽²⁸⁾ was born 6 OCT 1888. Grover died 1 AUG 1962 at 73 years of age.⁽²⁹⁾ RESEARCH NOTES: Died from injuries received in a car accident on Hwy. 165. His body was interred in Kitchen Creek Cemetary, Pollock, Louisiana. He married Sophie Elizabeth (Betty) SMITH 30 APR 1910.

Sophie was born 21 AUG 1893. Sophie was the daughter of J. A. SMITH and Effie HARRISON. Sophie died 20 MAR 1976 at 82 years of age. Her body was interred in Kitchen Creek Cemetary, Pollock, Louisiana. Retired as section foreman for the Missouri Pacific (MoPac) Railroad.

39 ii. Aberdeen Paul ROBERTSON⁽³⁰⁾ was born 6 SEP 1890. Aberdeen died 7 NOV 1924 in Monroe, Louisiana, at 34 years of age.⁽³¹⁾ RESEARCH NOTES: Train accident. He married Lottie ROBERTSON 30 APR 1911.

Lottie was born 11 NOV 1892. Lottie⁽³²⁾ was the daughter of Ransom Wyatt ROBERTSON and Amanda Delilah EMMONS. Lottie died 23 MAY 1977 at 84 years of age.⁽³³⁾ SOURCE NOTES: Eulogy by George Lee ROBERTSON, copied by Mae Brown ROBERTSON, 1970. "Aberdeen Paul Robertson, beloved and adored son of George L. and Mary M. Robertson, and the faithful and devoted husband of Lottie R. Robertson, died in St. Francis Sanitarium, Monroe, Louisiana, on Friday morning, November 7, 1924, at 2:36 o'clock. His death resulted from an accident which occurred on Monday November 3, about 5:30 p.m. in the yards of the Missouri Pacific Railway Company, at Monroe, in which, while holding to the ladder of a moving car, his left arm struck the rafters of the shed in the yards, knocking him asunder from the car, and he fell, striking his head upon the brick pavement, receiving a severe bruise and laceration on the right side of the upper cranium. He was conveyed to the sanitarium where he received attention of physicians and the attendance of efficient nurses. "Although unconscious from the moment struck, his appearance otherwise was that of unbroken normality, and for three days sanguine hopes of his recovery were fostered by his loved ones and friends who visited his bedside. But later investigation revealed a fracture in the skull and hemorrhage in the posterior and base of the brain, and withing a few hours following the operation of removing blood-clots there-from, an ominously unfavorable change of symptoms developed, and in the early hours of this fatal morning, his soul passed to 'THE GREAT BEYOND,' stemmed the 'VALLEY and SHADOWS of DEATH,' and traversed the cold stream of 'JORDAN,' and entered into that 'HEAVEN of REST' prepared for 'THE REDEEMED.' "Thus ends a human career comprising the space of thirty-four years, two months and one day, which is truly illustrious and exemplary that his youth and adolescence encountered environment insuperable and the emediments of narrowly limited opportunities. "At the time of this most tragical and untimely event, which not only precipitated his loved ones into heart-rending anguish, but also casts a pall of sorrow over the whole community, he was residing in Eldorado, Arkansas, and was in the employ of Missouri Pacific Railway Company, in which vocation he had continuously remained from his earliest adult days, having achieved marked success and efficiency, performing the function of roadmaster for almost four years. "Paul was born September 6, 1890, at northern boundary of Rapides Parish, ten miles north of Alexandria, Louisiana, and here nurtured and reared to adult age and stature by fond and devoting parents, whose comfort and welfare were the prime object of his deepest solicitude at all times. He received his Christian double name in honor of the late ABERDEEN WILSON STEWART of Pollock, Louisiana, and his great-grandfather, the late ASAPH PAUL ROBERTSON [actually Asaph POWELL Robertson -- WBS] of COVINGTON COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI, respectively. Quite early in life he trusted JESUS CHRIST and was baptized into the membership of Sardis Missionary Baptist Church, subsequently transferring by letter to KITCHEN CREEK CHURCH of the same faith. "On April 30, 1911 he wedded Miss Lottie Robertson, whose character, personality and life record is a living monument of honor to the highest standards of feminine rectitude, virtue and refinement. "His remains arrived over the Missouri Pacific at the home of his childhood on Friday night at 8:45 o'clock, lying in state until Sunday at 11 A.M. and, during this interval, countless tokens of love and condolence came to the solemn chamber of the dead and were laid at the shrine. As we viewed his lifeless features for the last time, on which rested no shadow of an unhallowed thought, but, instead, the indelible imprint of perfect love and trust in Him who doeth all things well, good will to man, absolute resignation to the immutable decrees of nature in sublime sacred halo, we thought it the sweetest visage we ever looked upon. "He leaves his beloved wife and four children, namely, Agnes, Lee, Bruce and Norvell, respectively; also on senior and five junior brothers, namely, Grover, Ernest, Wilson, Idolia, Wilmer and Donald, respectively, and six sisters, namely, Mrs. Gertrude Gunter, of Dallas, Texas, Mrs. Amanda Roy, of Cedar Grove, Louisiana and Misses Ethel, Zetta, Vivian and Geneva Robertson, respectively. "The funeral solemnities were conducted by his life-long and beloved pastor, who, in the presence of a vast assembly of sorrowing friends and kindred, delivered a most appropriate and impressive discourse, after which members of Curtis T. Hines Lodge No. 317, F. & A. M., of which order the deceased was an honored and esteemed member, in a body took charge of the obsequies. Six of their number acting as pall-bearers, bore the remains to the grave and performed the funeral rites of the order, during which ceremony a number of the members of the Alexandria Klan No. 12 of the K.K.K., marched in file to the grave and performing their ceremonial tributes to the dead, kneeled around the grave and uttered a fervent prayer, then arose and in file departed, and the Masonic brethren proceeded to make interment, at the conclusion of which the benediction was pronounced by Elder J. H. Coulson, which and a magnificent and luxurious decoration of floral tokens of love offerings were lavishly placed on the silent mound so covered, it entirely concealed the mound. " ONE WHO LOVED HIM " HIS FATHER GEORGE LEE ROBERTSON"

[from Lee Wyatt ROBERTSON:] Aberdeen Paul ROBERTSON was born near Nugent, La. He received little formal education--possibly 8th or 9th grade equivalent--and began working for the Missouri Pacific Railroad on section gang as a youth. While still in his teens, he became a section foreman, as did his elder brother, Grover. Desiring to marry his first cousin, he wrote to lawyers in various states in order to ascertain where such a marriage could be contracted; Louisiana law prohibited marriage of first cousins. Mississippi had no such law, and he married his cousin, Lottie, at Vicksburg on April 30, 1911. On January 15, 1912, they produced the first grandchild, Agnes, on both sides of the family. (Paul's elder brother, Grover, had married almost a year before Paul; Lottie was the first to marry in her family.) About 1920, Paul was promoted to roadmaster from section foreman, and was assigned to the MoPac's branch line from Gurdon, Arkansas to Collington, La.; he moved his family from that house built about 1916-17 on Grant/Rapides parish line to El Dorado, Arkansas, thence to Smackover, thence back to El Dorado. About 1923 or early 1924, there was a train wreck on the branch line, following which Paul was fired from his roadmaster job. He began work as a brakeman for MoPac. On Sunday, Nov. 2, 1924 he wrote a letter of condolence to a woman in Glenmora, La. whose son, a railroad man, had been killed in a railroad accident a few days earlier; Paul had been present when the man died. On Monday, Nov. 3, he worked as brakeman on a freight train from El Dorado down to Monroe, La.; the train was tied up and he was off duty when he hopped on side of a box car hooked to a switch engine to ride from the freight yard on the south side of Monroe up to the MoPac passenger depot, intending to go to the Busy Bee Hotel, across the street from the depot. As the box car passed the train shed at the depot, he was knocked off the side of the box car and fell to the platform, sustaining skull fracture and brain injury; he died in St. Francis Hospital in Monroe at 2:36 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 7, 1924, never having regained consciousness after the fall.

40 iii. Ethel Elizabeth ROBERTSON⁽³⁴⁾ was born 9 JAN 1892. Ethel died 10 NOV 1968 in Atlanta, Georgia, at 76 years of age.⁽³⁵⁾ RESEARCH NOTES: Died after years of treatment for Parkinson's Disease. Her body was interred in Kitchen Creek Cemetary, Pollock, Louisiana. She married David A. HILLS 27 MAY 1952.

David was born in Chicago, Illinois 14 OCT 1889. (Additional notes for David A. HILLS⁽³⁶⁾) David died in Atlanta, Georgia. She was an employee of Thomas-Tucker Insurance Agency (later Thomas Insurance Agency) of Natchitoches, La.

41 iv. Lillian Roberta ROBERTSON was born 15 APR 1893. Lillian died 13 SEP 1907 at 14 years of age.⁽³⁷⁾ RESEARCH NOTES: Died of typhoid fever. Her body was interred in Kitchen Creek Cemetary, Pollock, Louisiana. SOURCE NOTES: The compilers of the 1978 printed version of the ROBERTSON tree were "confused on the name of Roberta or Robertha as both names have appeared on record."

42 v. Ernest Elmer ROBERTSON⁽³⁸⁾ was born in Ball, Louisiana 1 OCT 1894. Ernest died 30 JUL 1949 at 54 years of age.⁽³⁹⁾ RESEARCH NOTES: Died of "malignant hypertension." His body was interred in Kitchen Creek Cemetary, Pollock, Louisiana. He married Cornelia Josephine LACROIX 23 JAN 1915. Cornelia is the daughter of Stephen William LACROIX and Eleanora DAVIS. SOURCE NOTES: Details on Ernest. E. ROBERTSON written by dau. Melba ROBERTSON LINNARTZ in 1978. Attended school in Ball, Louisiana. Worked first for MoPac, then attended Louisiana State Normal College for Teachers at Natchitoches, La. and earned a certificate to teach. He had completed one school session when he was appointed as a rural mail carrier. He and Cornelia moved to Bayou Rapides to be closer to Alexandria, La. and his job. He served the Post Office Dept. for 30 years. During that time he and Cornelia lived at Remount, near Kingsville, Paradise and Kingsville. During the early years at Paradise they ran a grocery store. He was a member of the Rural Letter Carriers Association and served in many capacities including being president more than once. He was a member and past Grand Master of the Curtis T. Hines Post No. 317 Masonic order of Tioga, La. He was also a member of Woodmen of the World, and attended Kitchen Creek Baptist Church.

43 vi. Eunice Gertrude ROBERTSON was born 10 JUN 1896. Eunice died 24 APR 1954 in Shreveport, La., at 57 years of age.⁽⁴⁰⁾ RESEARCH NOTES: Died of adeno-carcinoma, metastasis to abdomen. Her body was interred in Kitchen Creek Cemetary, Pollock, Louisiana. She married Charles Edwin GUNTER in divorced ca. 1931, 7 JUL 1917. SOURCE NOTES: Updated information on the descendants of Eunice Gertrude ROBERTSON current as of 1984.

44 vii. Amanda Lucinda (A) ROBERTSON⁽⁴¹⁾ was born 7 OCT 1898. Amanda died 28 APR 1980 at 81 years of age. She married John Lemmie ROY. John was born 9 JAN 1896. John⁽⁴²⁾ was the son of Lemuel ROY and Dewittie Jane ELLZEY. John died 10 AUG 1971 in Willis-Knighton Hospital, Shreveport, La., at 75 years of age.⁽⁴³⁾ His body was interred in Centuries Memorial Park, Shreveport, La. on the Mansfield Road. Amanda taught school in Georgetown, Rayville, Adkins (substitute) -- in Grant, Richland and Caddo Parishes, Louisiana in earlier years. In 1941, A (as she was often called) began selling Spencer corsets and continuted to do so for many years. She lived in Cedar Grove, La., in the home she and her husband Lemmie purchased, and attended Southside Baptist Church. Later in life she developed Parkinson's Disease and hypertension, as well as leukemia.

45 viii. Florence Izetta (Zetta) ROBERTSON⁽⁴⁴⁾ was born in Ball, Louisiana 20 AUG 1900. Florence died 30 DEC 1976 in Santa Barbara, California, at 76 years of age.⁽⁴⁵⁾ RESEARCH NOTES: Died of septicemia. Her body was interred in Pollock Cemetary, Pollock, Louisiana. She married Everett Benson ROGERS 25 JAN 1928.

Everett was born in Pollock, Louisiana 11 SEP 1902. Everett⁽⁴⁶⁾ was the son of John Christian ROGERS and Nancy Ann BENSON. Everett died 23 OCT 1960 in Alexandria, Louisiana, at 58 years of age.⁽⁴⁷⁾ Zetta received her education in Rapides Parish and at Louisiana State Normal and in her earlier years taught school. Later she served Rapides Parish as deputy clerk. In the early 1930s she ran for the public office of Clerk of Court but was unsuccessful. However, she worked for many years in the Clerk's Office of Rapides Parish, and retired there. Zetta was very knowledgable on legal matters and as court reporter she was familiar with many cases tried in Rapides Parish. She and Everett were members of Pineville Methodist Church.

46 ix. Vivian Bernice ROBERTSON⁽⁴⁸⁾ was born 1 DEC 1901. Vivian died 12 AUG 1971 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, at 69 years of age.⁽⁴⁹⁾ RESEARCH NOTES: Died of a bathtub fall and polycythemia. Her body was interred in Greenwood Cemetary, Pineville, Louisiana. She married George Ivan MASTON.

George was born 12 APR 1888. (Additional notes for George Ivan MASTON⁽⁵⁰⁾) George died 28 FEB 1958 at 69 years of age.⁽⁵¹⁾ His body was interred in Greenwood Cemetary, Pineville, Louisiana. Vivian and George lived in a beautiful home atop a wooded hill in the Forest Heights section of Pineville, Louisiana. [This writer remembers it being wonderfully cool in the hot Louisiana summer! --WBS] They both were Presbyterian. She was a longtime employee of the Alexandria Daily Town Talk.

47 x. Geneva Mary ROBERTSON⁽⁵²⁾ was born 24 OCT 1903. Geneva died 28 JAN 1966 in Baptist Hospital, Alexandria, Louisiana, at 62 years of age.⁽⁵³⁾ RESEARCH NOTES: Died from hypertensive arteriosclerotic heart disease. Her body was interred in Kitchen Creek Cemetary, Pollock, Louisiana. She married James Walter (Jimmie) SANDIFER in Shongaloo, Webster Parish, Louisiana, 14 MAY 1925.

James was born in Pearl, Simpson County, Mississippi 28 MAY 1896. James⁽⁵⁴⁾ was the son of Wyatt D. SANDIFER and Rebecca Elizabeth BENNETT. James died 31 DEC 1953 in Baptist Hospital, Alexandria, Louisiana, at 57 years of age.⁽⁵⁵⁾ His body was interred in Kitchen Creek Cemetary, Pollock, Louisiana. Name changed from Mary Geneva. At the time of her death she had been retired about eleven years from the Louisiana State Dept. of Welfare, Rapides Parish. Both she and Jimmie were members of Tioga Baptist Church.

48 xi. Edith Irene ROBERTSON was born 11 APR 1905. Edith died 21 AUG 1905 at less than one year of age. Her body was interred in Kitchen Creek Cemetary, Pollock, Louisiana.

49 xii. Wilson Alexander ROBERTSON⁽⁵⁶⁾ was born 20 JUL 1906. Wilson died 12 MAY 1993 at 86 years of age.⁽⁵⁷⁾ RESEARCH NOTES: Died at 7:25 pm in his residence at 7309 Springhill Rd., Pollock, La. His body was interred 14 MAY 1993 in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Pineville, La. He married Vada Mae BROWN.

Vada was born in Simms, Grant Parish, Louisiana 15 NOV 1907. Vada is the daughter of James Franklin BROWN and Louella GARLINGTON. Wilson went to work for the MoPac Railroad in 1927 as Section Foreman. From January 19, 1942 to March 1, 1943 he served as Superintendent of Railroad Construction within the arsenal at Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He went back as section foreman in March 1943 and retired July 1, 1971 from Tullos, La. He was a Baptist and member of Anchor Lodge No. 261, F & A M, Pollock. George Lee ROBERTSON, father of Wilson, bought his original 80 acres of property from a man named Ross. On the death of George L. and Mary M. ROBERTSON, the heir of the said property was Ethel E. ROBERTSON. In the latter 1950s the property was sold to Wilson by Ethel (Mrs. David A. HILLS). The total at this time was 67 acres, with 34 acres located in Rapides Parish and 33 acres in Grant Parish. One acre had been sold to a Will Adkins, a northeast corner; 12 acres was purchased by the railroad for a right-of-way. The original purchase was Iron Mountain Railroad (later MoPac) by Jay Gould (1978 [1878? -- WBS]). The 67 acre tract was purchased for $2500. (In 1978 one acre could bring that amount.) In the 1970s Elliot Wilson ROBERTSON purchased from Wilson the said property.

50 xiii. Emmett Idolia (Dobe) ROBERTSON⁽⁵⁸⁾ was born in Ball, Louisiana 29 JAN 1909. He married twice. He married Mary Alice ALLEN in Pullman, Washington, 14 JUL 1935. Mary was born in Ball, Louisiana 2 AUG 1910. Mary was the daughter of Lee ALLEN and Anna B. RYAN. Mary died 1 OCT 1971 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at 61 years of age.⁽⁵⁹⁾ He married Marie A. NORTON in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 25 JUN 1977. Marie was born 25 AUG 1911. Dobe grew up on the family farm and participated in 4-H clubs (corn, swine) while in H.S. In 1928 he graduated Tioga H.S.; enrolled La. College (1928-29); LSU (1929-32) B.S. Animal Industry; M.S. in Poultry Nutrition Washington State Univ 1934; Ph.D. in Nutrition Cornell Univ. 1946. Director of Nutrition, John W. Eshelman and Sons (1948-74). Member of many professional livestock nutrition organaizations, including the Poultry Science Association (since 1938); American Dairy Science Association; Agricultural Research Institute (affiliated with the National Academy of Science); National Research Council; American Feed Manufacturers Nutrition Council (chairman of Council 1958-59, elected life member on retirement in 1974). Traveled widely: as an animal nutrition officer with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, advised government of Libya on the feeding of its livestock (1964); gave feed lectures in Guatemala and Salvador (1965), Madrid (1966), American University in Beirut (1967), Sao Paolo, Brazil and Lima, Peru (1974). At the request of the Agricultural Attache, American Embassy, Israel and the American Soybean Association, held seminars on soybeans for industry and government personnel in Tel Aviv (1974). Spent three months in Kenya with the International Executive Service Corps developing feed formulas for a feed mill constructed there (1979).

51 xiv. George Wilmer ROBERTSON⁽⁶⁰⁾ was born 3 JUL 1910. He married Audrey Bernice WAITES 1 FEB 1933. Audrey was born 16 APR 1916. Audrey is the daughter of Alfred WAITES and Daisy DEVILLE. From 1929-38 Wilmer was employed in farming and railroad jobs when available and odd jobs otherwise, as this was the Great Depression. From Jan. 1938 to Dec. 1940 he was employed by Lakeside Laundry of Lake Charles, La. as a linen route man. He then returned to his native area and began Clayhill Dairy. May 13, 1967 was the last pick-up date for Clayhill Dairy but he continued to farm and raise cattle for several years. Wilmer was one of the committee members to help organize and direct the Simms Community Center, Rt. 2, Pollock, La. He and his family have been active in Wayside Baptist Church, Simms, La.

+ 16 xv. Donald Leon ROBERTSON was born 6 FEB 1914.

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