Robert William Aten (b. August 08, 1818, d. November 13, 1900)
Robert William Aten was born August 08, 1818 in Brooke County, VA, and died November 13, 1900 in Table Grove, Fulton County, IL. He married Mary Jane Allison on October 16, 1851 in Hancock County, VA, daughter of Jonathan Allison and Elizabeth D. Pugh.
Notes for Robert William Aten: Via Ruth Elaine Aten Bozard, Box 24, Industry, Illinois 61440: Robert W. Aten, 4th child of William W. Aten and 1st wife, Jane Anderson, was born in West Virginia, August 8, 1818, in what was then Brooke County of the Old Dominion, now Hancock County, in the tip of the narrow strip of the state which extends north between Pennsylvania and Ohio. Robert's mother died in 1834. Here in West Virginia, he first married Sarah Beale (Beall) on May 15, 1850, a daughter of Benjamin Beale, and a member of the prominent families of Virginia; she died one year later, to the day leaving a daughter who died in infancy. Robert was married again on October 15, 1851 to Mary Jane Allison, a daughter of Jonathan adn Lena Pugh Allison, who was a well-known family. In 1854, Robert and Mary Jane and their first two children, Nancy and Henry Clay, left West Virginia for Illinois, since Hancock County is bordered on the west by the Ohio River, it is probable that the first portion of their journey was made by riverboat, locating in Oakland Township, Schuyler County, Illinois. Robert's first purchase of land was eighty acres, for which he paid $600, he soon added another tract for which he paid $1,100, and at one time owned 700 acres; he had disposed of all but 400 acres by 1892. He carried on a general agricultural business. He made a specialty of raising live-stock, and shipped from two to three car-loads {railroad cars} of hogs and as many cattle during the year. He began life with a small capital, but this was strongly supplemented with will and determination to succeed. Politically he was affiliated with the Whigs and then the Republicans. Robert and Mary Jane were members of the Presbyterian Church, and gave liberal support to the cause of Christianity. They lived a useful life, and borne their share of the burden assumed by the pioneers in their undertaking to redeem the wild prairie and bring it to a high state of cultivation, making Illinois one of the leading agricultural state. At one time he had been a public school teacher. He didn't fight in the Civil War, but being an honest and upright man, he helped widows and others less fortunate. Robert and Mary Jane were both killed November 13, 1900 when their buggy was struck by a north-bound passenger train of the CB&Q at the crossing two miles north of Vermont. They had 10 children.
Obituary; The Rushville Times; Rushville, Schuyler County, Illinois; Thursday, November 15, 1900, Volume XLV - No. 46; Page 1, column 6
STRUCK BY A TRAIN
Robert Aten and Wife Killed. Their Buggy Was Struck By a Passenger Train North of Vermont Thursday Afternoon, They Were Both Killed Instantly. Mr. And Mrs. Robert Aten of Oakland Township {Schuyler County, Illinois}, aged 80 years, were instantly killed at a railroad crossing two miles north of Vermont {Fulton County, Illinois} Tuesday afternoon, while on their way to Table Grove {Schuyler County, Illinois} to visit their son, Henry. They attempted to cross the track in front of the Rushville and Galesberg passenger train, going north and were hurled to instant death. The two bodies were picked up just inside the fence along the "Q" right of way, 100 feet from the crossing. They lay side by side, and neither showed signs of mutilation, tho the bodies of both were badly broken. The engine was running at a rate of 40 miles an hour when the accident happened. Mr. And Mrs. Aten drove onto the track from the fireman's side and were not noticed by the engineer until he was upon them. He sounded the whistle and their horse seemed to stand still from the fright. The buggy was struck between the two wheels, and very vestige of harness stripped from the force, even collar and bridle. The front wheels remained on the crossing, but the top and buggy bed were wedge on the pilot of the engine and remained there until the train was brought to a standstill 300 yards beyond the crossing. The train was in charge of Engineer Potter and Conductor F. A. Shait. From particulars at hand, no blame can be laid upon the trainmen for the accident. At the point where the accident happened, known as the Page crossing, the wagon road runs almost parallel with the track for a distance of a mile and then makes a right angle turn at the crossing. Mr. And Mrs. Aten were driving in a top buggy with all the curtains on; it was a cold day and they were well bundled up, and it is fair to present they did not hear the approach of the train. When the bodies were found Mrs. Aten wore a hood, and a cap, with ear flaps down, worn by her husband, was picked up along the track. The train came to a standstill and ran back to the crossing, a gang of section men who were working near there came up to ( ) the trainees. None of them, however, recognized the bodies. Henry Page, who lives a few rods east of the crossing saw the accident and it was from him that the identity of the persons was learned. He recognized Mr. Aten and supposed the lady was his wife. It was on his suggestion that the bodies were taken to Table Grove, where Henry Aten, son of the deceased, resided. Mr. And Mrs. Aten were on their way o their son's home in Table Grove when they met their death. They had driven up from Oakland Township in the morning and had taken dinner with their daughter, Mrs. Milford Matlows {Matthews - Flora Ann Aten} in Vermont. They left Vermont at 3:45 and were killed at the crossing a half hour later. As soon as the accident happened Mr. Aten's children were notified, and Mrs. Matlows {Flora Ann Aten Matthews} and the three were from Oakland Township drove to Table Grove. The bodies were prepared for burial to that village and were brought to Ray {Oakland Township, Schuyler County, Illinois} on the 12 o'clock train yesterday. A coroner jury held so inquest Tuesday night. The section men and a family living near the crossing were the only witnesses, and they testified the engineer sounded the whistle for the crossing and took all due precaution. The death of this aged couple brought sorrow to the many homes where they were known so well. They were old settlers of Oakland Township, having resided there since 1854. It was in 1851 that Mr. Aten married Mary Jane Allison, ( ) for nearly half a century (near) here, enjoyed the companionship of a happy ( born) life. Both, were ( ) and hearty for their years, and they ( ) a great interest in the welfare of one another and their family of children, of whom there were nine. Both Mr. And Mrs. Aten were members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Aten was a large land owner in Oakland Township and he engaged externally in stock raising. Of late years his sons have leaded big farms, but he never considered himself on the retired list. The sudden death of both father and mother was a real blow to the children, who had parted with them in health and vigor only a short time before. ( ) means that I couldn't read the word from the paper. {clarifications by Sara Hemp}
More About Robert William Aten: Burial: Unknown, Vermont Cemetery, Fukton County, IL. Census 1: 1870, Oakland Township, Schuyler County, IL. Census 2: 1840, Brooke County, VA. Census 3: 1850, Hancock County, VA. Census 4: 1880, Oakland Township, Schuyler County, IL. Census 5: 1890, Oakland Township, Schuyler County, IL. Occupation: Teacher, farmer. Residence: Aft. 1854, Oakland Township, Schuyler County, IL.
More About Robert William Aten and Mary Jane Allison: Marriage: October 16, 1851, Hancock County, VA.
Children of Robert William Aten and Mary Jane Allison are:
Sarah Jane Aten, b. September 09, 1858, Oakland Township, Schuyler County, IL, d. November 20, 1956, Sarah Culbertson Memorial Hospital, Schuyler County, IL.
Robert William Aten (b. August 08, 1818, d. November 13, 1900)
Notes for Robert William Aten: