William and Mary Robey Home Page
Robey Family Treasures Robey Family

The background and graphics on this site were found on the following websites:

Updated June 28, 2002

Website owned by Randy and Toni Campbell. Randy is a 4-great-grandson of William and Mary Collins Robey

Robey Family Obituaries

Obituary of Almira Waite Robey

Mrs. Levi Robey

DEATH OF ONE OF THE VERY OLDEST RESIDENTS OF STEPHENSON COUNTY

MCCONNELL, MAY 30
Mrs. Levi Robey died on Monday afternoon of old age at the family homestead in this township. She was one of the best known women in Stephenson County and its oldest settler. She has lived in the county from almost its first settlement. She was the widow of another pioneer, the late Levi Robey. Her maiden name was Almira Waite, and she was born in Courtland County, New York, July 18, 1813, making her age nearly eighty-seven years.

She was married to Levi Robey in Washington Township, Scioto County, Ohio, December 26, 1833. The following year, in April, accompanied by his wife and his mother's family, Levi Robey set out for the praries of Illinois. He made the trip via the Ohio, Mississippi, and Illinois rivers, and the balance of the trip via hired teams. While passing through Dixon on their way to this county they were set upon by a band of Indians, but escaped with their lives. Soon after his arrival in this county Mr. Robey entered a claim in what is now Waddams Township, and on St. Valentine's day , 1835, proclaimed himself the first settler in that township, and there the family has resided ever since, both Mr. and Mrs. Robey dying at the old homestead, he passing away a few years ago. They first lived in a log cabin and their first market place was Galena, forty-five miles distant, and Chicago was as yet unheard of.

The family grew to importance with the growth of the county, and always maintained a prominent place in the community, where they spent so many years of their lives. Both were honest and consistent members of the Methodist Church in Stephenson County. She was a very worthy woman and universally esteemed.

The surviving children are: William Robey, Warren; Mrs. Robert Young, Freeport; Mrs. J.L. Hartsough, Nora; and L.W. Robey, who resides on the old homestead in Waddams Township. The funeral was held at ten o'clock this morning.

From a Freeport, Illinois Newspaper, 30 May, 1900. Typed from a hand-written copy made by my great-aunt, Viola Young Borger. R. Campbell