Person Page - 282

     James D. Ritter was born on 3 Jan 1884.¹ He married Zua Martin, daughter of William W. Martin and Alice L. Ridgely, on 8 Feb 1908 at Richland County, Illinois.^1,3 James D. Ritter died on 29 Feb 1956 at age 72.¹
     He registered with the World War I Selective Service System on 12 Sep 1918 at Olney, Richland County, Illinois. He described himself as living on Route 1, Olney, Richland County, Illinois, age 34, born 3 June 1884, and his occupation was farming for himself. He was medium in height, stout in build, with blue eyes and had dark brown hair. His closest relative was Zua Martin Ritter, also of Route 1, Olney. He signed the form James Dugan Ritter.⁴
     His obituary states:
     "James D. Ritter, 71, a well known resident and famer of Madison township, passed away at noon today at the Richland Memorial Hospital, where he had been a patient for approximately a week.
"He was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Ritter.
"Mr. Ritter is survived by his wife, Zua, and a son Martin Ritter of Olney Route 1, three sisters, Miss Mary Ritter of New Jersey, Miss Louise Ritter of Union County, Ill., and Mrs. Jane Kurtz of Olney. Also surviving are three grandchildren.
"Funeral arrangements for Mr. Ritter are incomplete at this time and will be announced later. The body is at the Schaub Funeral Home."⁵

     Martin Ritter was born on 30 Jun 1909.² He was the son of James D. Ritter and Zua Martin.¹ Martin Ritter died on 23 Feb 1989 at Olney, Richland County, Illinois, at age 79.^2,3 He was buried at Haven Hill Cemetery, Olney, Richland County, Illinois.²

     Patricia Ann Ritter died on 29 Feb 1936.¹ She was born on 29 Feb 1936.¹ She was the daughter of Martin Ritter.¹ Patricia Ann Ritter was buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Parkersburg, Richland County, Illinois.²

     Clifton L. Roach was born c 1896 at Vermont.¹ He was the son of Erwin C. Roach and Myra Estella Olds.¹

     Erwin C. Roach married Myra Estella Olds, daughter of David M. Olds and Mary Minerva Powers Underwood, on 2 Jun 1891 at Southampton, Massachusetts.²
     Erwin C. Roach and Myra Estella Roach appeared on the census of 2 May 1910 at Hubbardton, Rutland County, Vermont, as follows:
     Roach, Erwin C., head, 58, m. once for 18 years, b. Vermont, parents b. Vermont, general farmer
      , Myra E., wife, 41, m. once for 18 years, 3 children, 3 living, b. Mass., parents b. Mass.
      , Garald C., son, 17, b. Vermont, farm labor
      , Clifton L., son, 14, b. Vermont
      , Raymon D., son, 12, b.Vermont.³

     Garald C. Roach was born c 1893 at Vermont.¹ He was the son of Erwin C. Roach and Myra Estella Olds.¹

     Raymond D. Roach was born c 1898 at Vermont.¹ He was the son of Erwin C. Roach and Myra Estella Olds.¹

     Elizabeth (Eliza) Robbs married Rufus Solesbee, son of Sampson Solesby and Martha? (?). Elizabeth (Eliza) Robbs was born in 1849.

     Fred Merlin Roberson Jr. was born on 11 Oct 1939. ¹ Fred, the son of Fred Merlin Roberson, Sr., and Helen (Murphy) Roberson (sister of Dr. Murphy) was raised by Dr. and Mrs. Murphy. He was the son of Raymond Brereton Murphy and Lois Irene Ridgely. Fred Merlin Roberson Jr. died on 1 Oct 1991 at Sabine Medical Center, Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana, at age 51.²
     His obituary states:
     "Services for Mr. Fred M. Roberson Jr., 51, were held at 2 p. m., Wednesday, Oct 2, at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Officiatiing were Father Danny Walsh, and Father Earl Provenza. Burial was held at St. Joseph Cemetery, under the direction of Warren Meadows Funeral Home.
"Mr. Roberson died Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Sabine Medical Center, Many, La.
"He is survived by his wife Shawnee Roberson of Zwolle, La; three sons, Blake Roberson, Chad Roberson, and Ryan Roberson, all of Zwolle, La; mother, Lois Murphy of Robinson, Illinois; three sisters, Karen Stremme of Parkersburg, Ill., Lois Irene Murphy of Robinson, Ill., and Joyce Woodard of Robinson, Ill; four brothers, Frank Roberson of Corinth, Mississippi, Roger Murphy of Edwardsville, Ill., Bob Murphy of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Raymond Murphy of Bethlehem, Pa; several nieces and nephews; and a lot of friends."
"Memorials may be made to the MDA Association."²
     Fred died of ALS. He was participating in an experimental program which was seeking a cure but did not know if we was receiving the treatment being tested or the placebo.

     Fred Merlin Roberson Sr. was born on 21 Feb 1909.² He married Helen Murphy, daughter of Frank J. Murphy and Leona Brereton. Fred Merlin Roberson Sr. died on 26 Feb 1967 at age 58.² He was buried at Fellowship Cemetery, Dubach, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana.²
     A Rootsweb post by ______ says:
"1. Fred Merlin Roberson (Thomas Riley Roberson1) was born 21 Feb 1909 in Dubach, Lincoln Parish, Louisiana, and died 26 Feb 1967. He married Living Murphy.

Children of Fred Merlin Roberson and Living Murphy are:
2 i. Living Roberson. He married Living Sepulvado.
3 ii. Living Roberson. He married Living.³ "

     William Frank Roberson was born on 29 Aug 1941 at Atlanta, Georgia. ² Frank, the son of Fred Merlin Roberson, Sr., and Helen (Murphy) Roberson (sister of Dr. Murphy) was raised by Dr. and Mrs. Murphy. He was the son of Raymond Brereton Murphy and Lois Irene Ridgely. William Frank Roberson died on 27 Mar 2005 at Lockett's United Methodist Church, Monticello, Wayne County, Kentucky, at age 63.¹ He was buried on 31 Mar 2005 at Kirk Chapel Cemetery, rural Robinson, Crawford County, Illinois.³
     His obituary states:
"REV. WILLIAM (FRANK) ROBERSON

"Aug. 29, 1941-Mar. 27, 2005

"Reverend Frank Roberson, 63, Monticello, KY went to be with the Lord at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 27, 2005, at Lockett's United Methodist Church following a two-year battle against ALS (Low[sic] Gehrig's Disease). Born August 29, 1941, in Atlanta, Georgia, he was the son of Fred Merlin Roberson, Zwolle, LA, and was raised by Dr. Raymond ("Doc") Murphy and Lois Murphy of Robinson, IL.

"He graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, and worked as a buyer for Marshall Fields before joining Dana Corporation in 1966. After 30 years as a Human Resource Manager with Dana, he retired early in order to follow the Lord's calling to the ministry. At the youthful age of 55 years, Frank enrolled at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, KY while he pastored at Houks United Methodist Church, Summershade United Methodist Church and later Hodges United Methodist Church all in Green County, KY. After graduating with a Masters of Divinity in 2001, he was called in 2003 to pastor Monticello United Methodist Church and Lockett's United Methodist Church in Wayne County, KY. Never one to sit idly by, Reverend Frank Roberson actively served his community in a variety of roles: President - Rotary Club, Manteca[,] Calif. School Board (elected trustee), Cub Master and Boy Scout Troop Leader, officer of the Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, and Kiwanis, Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, youth athletic coach, Secretary of Ministerial Association in Monticello, and Ordained Elder of the United Methodist Church.

"On September 1, 1962, he married his childhood sweetheart, Sandra Sue Roberson of Robinson, IL, at Kirk Chapel United Methodist Church in Robinson. Sandy is the daughter of the late Roscoe and Rosalie Chronic of Robinson, and sister of Peggy Wetherell, Marshall, Ill., and Marilyn Musgrave, Robinson. Preceding him in death were his father and parents; brother, Fred Merlin Roberson; his father and mother-in-law, Roscoe and Rosalie Chronic; his brothers-in-law, Robert Wetherell and David Musgrave. Survivors include his wife, daughter and two sons and their spouses, Francine and Mark Hewett, Ft. Wayne, Ind., Rod and René Roberson, Bronston, KY, Brian and Lea Ann Roberson, Vienna, Virginia; five grandchildren, Alexandria, Cody and Ashley Roberson of Bronston, KY, Emily and Jackson Roberson of Vienna, Virginia; three brothers and three sisters, Roger and Donna Murphy, Worden, IL, Karen and Don Stremme, Parkersburg, IL, Robert Murphy, Pittsburgh, PA, Lois Murphy[,] Robinson, Raymond Murphy and Georgine Gambler, Bethlehem[,] PA, Joyce and Mark DuaneWoodard, Robinson; a large and loving family consisting of his sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

"Visitation will be Wednesday, March 30, and the funeral will be Thursday, March 31, with Rev. Louis Young officiating. Burial will be in Kirk Chapel Cemetery, Robinson. There will be a memorial service to celebrate Frank's life at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 2 at Monticello United Methodist Church. All are welcome to come and share their memories of Frank. In lieu of flowers, please send donations for research to the ALS Center, Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27157."¹

                         FRANK ROBERSON

I can tell a Frank story. It is a familiar story, but filtered by my own limited view.

I first got to know Frank when he came to live with the Murphy family. He was another young cousin in what became my largest group of cousins. Uncle Ray and Aunt Lois spent more than 25 years carefully collecting their family, selecting each child based on the need that child had. Along the way they even got a Robert Patrick and a Raymond Michael. You can’t have a perfect Murphy family without a Pat and a Mike.

When Karen and Frank were starting school, they got into a loud argument about the proper way to pronounce school, each correcting the other again and again. One favored “SOOL” and one favored “KOOL”. I don’t remember which side Frank was on, but surely they both lost that argument. When Frank was six and seven I was twelve and thirteen. I had the advantage of several more years of school, but not the perspective to think that argument was “cute” or endearing.

We visited the Murphy family frequently then and they visited us and we often met at our grandmother’s house. So, I knew young Frank pretty well. However, time passed. The Murphys moved to another town. Eventually, I went off to college and then so did Frank. Later, we both stayed busy raising families and pursuing careers. We did not keep in touch. In fact, we did not need to. The three younger Ridgely sisters — Lois Murphy, Leah McNamara, and Doris Olds – stayed in close touch all their lives, even though they also became busy with children, careers and the “stuff” of life. It never became my role to “keep in touch”. If I wanted to know anything about my family, all I had to do was to ask Mom. As with many resources that are “always there,” this one was underutilized and underappreciated. I knew Frank was working for Dana but never had to ask what that was or what he did. I could always ask later if I needed to know. However, from occasional contacts, I knew that Frank had developed the demeanor, confidence and authority of a successful business man.

When word came that Frank had left his longtime job and returned to school at some small religious school in rural Kentucky, my first reaction was negative. I thought he might have “gone over to the dark side” and joined a cult. It helped some when I learned that he was attending a United Methodist Seminary since my own career was at one of the United Methodist Colleges. That could not be all bad, but the choice was still hard to understand. Frank wrote about it in his family Christmas letter of 1997 which Mom unearthed recently. He even made into a blessing from God that he was out of work for a time before finding a pastoral position at a small church.

I would say that I “re-met” Frank in 2001 at our Aunt Leah’s funeral, where he helped in the celebration of her life. It was a special (and busy) family gathering but I had a little time to talk with Frank. In him I could see some of the physical characteristics and confidence of our uncle Ray. I learned of his faith, his hope for the future, and his love for people. He had taken these things into service with him at a prison. Into a place where others worried about safety, security and futility, Frank took his strong faith, hope and love and achieved positive results and felt personally rewarded by his service to the people there. I knew Frank had become a man to be admired and I certainly did so. I was very impressed by this cousin I had “re-met”. Although in earlier years, I could look down at Frank from the vantage point of a few more years and a few more inches, I now met a man I had to look up to and I do.

By the way, I can remember being surprised that Frank had the name William. I’m not sure exactly when it happened – perhaps when I had to formally enter his name into a new genealogy program or perhaps when I saw the “W” in his e-mail address. Had I known, but forgotten, this? We always called him Frank.

Word came that Frank was afflicted with that mysterious disease called ALS. Although ALS still withholds many of its secrets from our scientists, it was no stranger to Frank. It had taken his older brother, Fred. Frank clearly knew what he was being told and it could have been a crushing blow. He could have retired, resigned and rested. He did not. He used that strong faith, hope and love to fight back. What better preparation could life have given him for meeting this challenge? In the family e-mail that kept us all informed and more in touch than we had been for years, it came through loud and clear that Frank would not quit early. With whatever help he was forced to accept, he would continue being the husband, father and pastor he had been. He continued to minister to both his churches.

When we heard on Easter morning that Frank had died at church, we knew that he had not quit early. Not one hour early. That last day and last hour of service were his earthly reward for the life of faith, hope and love he had lived.


DWO
30 March 2005.⁴

     Ada Roberts was born in Sep 1862 at Iowa.¹ She married Nelson Olds, son of Nelson Horatio Olds and Lavina Martin, on 28 Sep 1896.^1,3,4 Ada Roberts died in 1925.⁵
     Her obituary states: "OLDS -- At Escondido, Adrian R. Olds, wife of Nelson H. Olds, wife of Carlton M. Olds, sister of Fred H. Roberts, of Corning, Calif., and Julia H. Lewis, of Coronado; aged 62 years 10 months and 1 day.
"Funeral services will be held at Johnson funeral parlors, Escondido, Wednesday, July 8, 1915 [sic], at 1 p. m.
"Flowers at Rainfords."⁶

     Clarence D. Roberts was born c 1911 at Michigan.¹ He married Arlene Frances Olds, daughter of Alley J. Olds and Millis Collins, on 5 Nov 1932 at Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan.¹
     Clarence D. Roberts and Arlene Frances Roberts appeared on the census of 8 Apr 1940 at Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan, as follows:
     334 Roberts, Clarence D., head, 29, 3 yrs h.s., b. Mich., painter, hospital
      , Arline, wife, 28, 4 yrs h.s., b. Mich.
      , Gerald, son, 6, b. Mich.
      , June, daughter 5, b. Mich.
      , Stewart, son, 2, b. Mich,
As of 1 Apr 1935 the parents and the first 2 children lived in the same place.²

     Julia Ball Roberts was born on 3 Sep 1831 at North Amherst, Massachusetts.^1,2,3 She married George H. Olds, son of Luke Orrison Olds and Nancy P. Miller, c 1856.¹ Julia Ball Roberts died on 28 Sep 1904 at Springfield, Massachusetts, at age 73.⁴
     Julia Ball Olds and George H. Olds appeared on the census of 19 Jul 1860 at Chicopee, Hampden County, Massachusetts, as follows:

Julia Ball Olds and George H. Olds appeared on the census of 24 Jun 1870 at Waterbury, New Haven County, Connecticut, as follows:

Julia Ball Olds and George H. Olds appeared on the census of 22 Jun 1880 at Northampton/Florence, Hampshire County, Massachusetts, as follows:

Julia Ball Olds and George H. Olds appeared on the census of 1 Jun 1900 at Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio, as follows:

     Her obituary states:
          "Death of Mrs. George H. Olds
"The death of Mrs. George H. Olds occurred at 2:30 yesterday afternoon at her late residence, 24 Harvard street, Rev John L. Kilbon officiating. The burial was in the family lot in Oak Grove cemetery. Mrs. Julia Ball (Roberts) Olds died on Wednesday morning after an illness of nearly four years. She was the daughter of Emery and Havilla (Ball) Ball and was born in North Amherst September 3, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Olds lived in Chicopee, where their only child, Julia Francella, was born December 9, 1856, and died the following January. They then removed to Florence and remained five or six years and came to Springfield in 1871, making their home here since then, though living several years since that date in Columbus, O. Mrs. Olds was a charter member of the Park church and up to the time of her accident four years ago, by which her hip was fractured, active in church work. Although long a sufferer and frequently in great pain, she had been a cheerful and patient invalid, much beloved by friend and neightors."
[The article contains a picture of Mrs. Olds.]³

     Charles E. Robertson married Alta Eveline Findley, daughter of Hugh Marion Findley and Mary Bowers, on 4 Mar 1914 at Kenmare, Ward County, North Dakota.¹ Charles E. Robertson died on 30 Jul 1918. He was a farmer.²

     Charles Findley Robertson died on 15 Mar 1915.¹ He was born on 15 Mar 1915.¹ He was the son of Charles E. Robertson and Alta Eveline Findley.¹

     Fred Henry Robertson married Alta Eveline Findley, daughter of Hugh Marion Findley and Mary Bowers, on 19 Feb 1921.¹ Fred Henry Robertson died on 30 Mar 1960.²
     Fred was a brother of Charles Robertson, his wife's first husband. He was a farmer also. Alta and Fred came from South Dakota to live in Illinois for awhile. Their home was the Grandview Farm just south of Parkersburg. In 1936 they went back to South Dakota and were there the rest of their lives. Alta's last residence was at Plankinton, South Dakota.²
     His obituary states:
     "Fred H. Robertson Dies in S. Dakota
"Fred H. Robertson, former resident of Parkersburg, Ill. passed away at his home in Plankinton, S. Dakota, March 30th, following a long illness.
"He is survived by his wfe, the former Alta Findley and sons Donald and James Robertson, and daughter, Mary Scales, and six grandchildren, all of Plankinton, S. Dak. Also a brother, Edgar Robertson, of Springfield, Ill., and a sister Mary Johnson of Litchfield, Ill.
"Time of services are incomplete at this time but burial will be in South Dakota.
"Mrs. Gertrude Summerfield and Mrs. Bert Moore of Parkersburg are sisters-in-law."³

     James Henry Robertson was born on 21 Jul 1917 at Plankinton, Aurora County, South Dakota.^1,2 He was the son of Charles E. Robertson and Alta Eveline Findley.¹ James Henry Robertson married Lucille Anna Grambihler on 19 Feb 1946 at Plankinton, Aurora County, South Dakota.¹ James Henry Robertson appears in the Social Security Death Index as having died Sep 1985 with the last place of residence listed as Plankinton, Aurora County, South Dakota. James Henry's SSN was issued in South Dakota. Also, his birth date is given as 21 Jul 1917.³
     About 1978, Jim was a construction worker and they were living iat Plankinton.¹

     John Donald "Don" Robertson was born on 20 Feb 1916 at Plankinton, Aurora County, South Dakota.^1,2 He was the son of Charles E. Robertson and Alta Eveline Findley.¹
     About 1978, Don was a farmer, living in Plankinton.²

     Mary Elmira Robertson was born on 25 Feb 1922 at Plankinton, Aurora County, South Dakota.^1,2 She was the daughter of Fred Henry Robertson and Alta Eveline Findley.¹ Mary Elmira Robertson married Robert Lyle Scales on 1 Jun 1942 at Plankinton, Aurora County, South Dakota.² Mary Elmira Robertson married Esbern V. "Es" Johnson on 6 Feb 1993 at Sioux Falls, South Dakota.³
     About 1978, Mary was a teacher and a homemaker.²

     Sarah Elizabeth Robertson married James R. Smith, son of Daniel J. Smith and Sarah Ann Pearson.¹

     Abbie L Roberty married Albert J. Wilder, son of Joseph Wilder and Eunice Olds, on 18 Jul 1864 at Palmer, Massachusetts.¹

     Barbara Jean Robinson was born on 21 May 1913 at Corvallis, Oregon.² She married Clifford Lambert Brown, son of George Lambert Brown and Bertie Olds, on 22 May 1930 at Goldendale, Washington.¹

     Christopher Robinson was born on 11 Jun.¹ He was the son of Rickey Lee Robinson.¹

     Hattie Robinson was the daughter of James Robinson and Sarah Olds.¹

     James Robinson married Sarah Olds, daughter of Ferdino Olds and Irene Cone.¹

     Johnny Brent Robinson was born on 4 Nov 1951.¹ He died on 5 May 1977 at age 25.² He was buried at Orio Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Friendsville Precinct, Wabash County, Illinois.³

     Kelly Robinson was born on 16 Feb.¹ She was the daughter of Rickey Lee Robinson.¹

     Mary Robinson married Nathan Olds, son of Nathan Olds and Lois Allen, on 3 Jan 1863.^2,3

     Mary Caroline Robinson was born c 1826 at Vermont.^1,2 She married Samuel N. Olds, son of Elias Olds and Abigail Alcott, on 30 Oct 1844.¹ Mary Caroline Robinson died on 27 Jan 1909.³
     Mary Caroline Olds and Samuel N. Olds appeared on the census of 13 Sep 1850 at St. Albans, Franklin County, Vermont, as follows:
     284/286 Samuel Olds, 32, hatter, b. Vt.
      Caroline M. " , 24, b. Vt.
      George H. " , 4, b. Vt.
      Mary E. " , 2, b. Vt.⁴
Mary Caroline Olds and Samuel N. Olds appeared on the census of 21 Jun 1860 at Post Office Eel River, Eel River Township, Allen County, Indiana, as follows:
     439/436 Samuel N. Olds, 42, farmer, b. Vt.
      Caroline , 34, b. ditto
      George H. , 12, b. ditto
      Mary E. , 11, b. ditto
      Charles H. , 9, b. ditto
      Marton E. , 3, b. Ind.
      Sarah , 5/12, b. ditto.⁵
Mary Caroline Olds and Samuel N. Olds appeared on the census of 17 Jul 1870 at Post Office Butler, Concord Township, Dekalb County, Indiana, as follows:
     188/188 Olds, Samuel, 52, merchant, b. Vt.
      , Caroline, 44, keeping house, b. Vt.
      , Mary E., 21, housework, b. Vt.
      , Morton E., 13, at home, b. Ind.
      , Lena M., 10, at home, b. Ind.
      , William J., 6, b. Ind.
      , Nette, 2, b. Ind.⁶
Mary Caroline Olds and Samuel N. Olds appeared on the census of 21 Jun 1880 at Spencerville, DeKalb County, Indiana, as follows:
     281/288 Olds, Samuel, 61, dry goods merchant, b. Vt., father b. Mass., mother b. Vt.
      , C. Mary, 54, wife, keeping house, b. Vt., father b. Vt., mother b. Mass.
      , M. Lena, 20, dau., teacher, b. Ind., parents b. Vt.
      , J. Willie, 16, son, at school, b. Ind., parents b. Vt.
      , E. Nellie, 12, dau., at school, b. Ind., parents b. Vt.
      , E. Arthur, 8, son, at school, b. Ind., parents b. Vt.     
      Fales, Thomas, 21, Cabinet maker, b. Ind., father b. N. Y., mother b. ---
      , Nona, 18, wife, keeping house, b. Ind., father b. Bavaria, mother b. Maryland
[middle initials are listed first -- why?].⁷