Robert Hawthorne, Sr.

Wednesday evening, Aug. 6, 1907, about 6:30 o'clock the village of Roberts was shocked by the news of the sudden death of Robert Hawthorne, Sr., one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of our village. He was painting his house and fell from the ladder apparently dead when he struck the ground. It is probable that his death was before the fall rather than the result of the fall.
The deceased was born in Ardropan, Scotland, June 23, 1826, and was therefore at the time of his death 81 years, 1 month and 23 days of age. At an early age he became a sailor and visited many parts of the world. He sailed to California in 1859. In 1853 he was married to Miss Lillian Muir, at Salcoats, Scotland, who still survives, they soon after sailed to America, landing in New Orleans. He came up the river to St. Louis, then overland to Chicago, and spent five years as a sailor on the lakes. He then decided to try life as a farmer and came to Elliott, then to the town of Peach Orchard and in 1863 to Lyman where he has since lived. Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne were the parents of eight children. One, Lillian, died several years ago. Their sons living are Hugh, of Piper City, John and Robert Jr., of Roberts, and William of Chicago. The daughters are Mrs. Woolsoncroft, of Montgomery City, Mo., and Mrs. C. E. Bressie and Mrs. F. A. White, of Roberts.
The deceased was widely known as an honorable and upright citizen, one who believed and practiced doing unto his fellow man as he would they should do unto him.
The funeral services were held at the residence Thursday, at 2 P.M., Rev. W. B. Milne officiating, after which the remains were followed to their final resting place in Lyman cemetery by a large number of friends who sympathize with the bereaved family in the sad hour of affliction.  --Roberts Herald.

--Paxton Daily Record.  13 August 1907.