Ray County Missouri Biographies

Robertson, Cleason This gentleman was born in Sevier county, East Tennessee, on the 28th day of May, 1834. His father was a farmer and the son was required to work, as soon as large enough, upon the farm, and his advantages for securing education were not very favorable. His father removed to Missouri in the year 1838. Our subject remained at home, working on the farm, until he was about fourteen years of age, when he began to hire out as a farm laborer, and make a living for himself. During the rest of the time until his majority, young Robertson lived in Caldwell county, Missouri, though his father remained in Ray county. At the age of twenty-three he was married to Miss Susannah McGhee, daughter of Mr. Samuel McGhee, of Caldwell county. The date of this union was September 6, 1857. They became the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter. The daughter died in Nevada. The sons, William C., and George Nelson, are still living with their father. At his marriage, his father-in-law gave Mr. Robertson one hundred and thirty acres of land, which he speedily improved, and made a comfortable home. This farm was situated about twelve miles south-west of Kingston, in Caldwell county, Missouri. He subsequently traded farms several times successively, moving each time to a new place, but a short distance from his former one. Finally, in 1863, he sold the one he then possessed, and went to California, reaching that state in August, 1863. He traveled overland, with mule teams, taking his family with him. He remained but one winter in California, and then returned to the mines of Dayton, Nevada, where he staid for about eight years. Druing a part of that time he was engaged in mining, and then he began the business of a wood merchant, which was very profitable, and Mr. Robertson made considerable money. He came back to Missouri in 1872, and located in Ray county. Here he was engaged in speculating and trading for about two years. At the expiration of that time he moved upon a farm which he had purchased upon his return from California, about seven and a half miles northwest of Richmond. This farm, including subsequent purchases, comprises six hundred acres of most excellent land, well improved. Mr. Robertson gives his attention chiefly to grain-raising and the feeding of stock. In the year 1848 he went from Kansas City, Missouri, to old Mexico, the trip at that time requiring four months' time. He made a similar trip in 1852, freighting goods. Mr. Robertson, his wife, and son George, are members of the Christian Union Church, which worships at Pleasantville. Cleason Robertson has had a varied experience in life, and has seen much of different parts of the country. He has been very successful in business, considering the disadvantages and obstacles he has had to overcome. He is, to-day, a successful farmer, and a useful citizen of the grand old county of Ray. -History of Ray County, Mo., 1881 St. Louis: Missouri Historical Company PAGE 714