Mecosta County MI Archives Biographies.....Roben, Matthew September 1, 1814 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Jan Cortez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00020.html#0004939 April 16, 2009, 1:50 am Author: Chapman Brothers MATTHEW ROBEN, retired merchant, residing at Big Rapids, was born at Ryegate, Caledonia Co., Vt., Sept. 1, 1814. He comes of a long line of Scotch ancestry, originating in Renfrewshire, Scotland, and traceable for many generations - a family of means and influence in their native country. His great-grandfather, Walter Roben, was born in 1719, at Renfrew, and died in 1784. His wife was Isabella (Gardner) Roben. His son Matthew Roben, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to this country with his family in 1803. He was one of the original founders of the Scotch colony in Caledonia Co., Vt., which is perhaps the most extensive Scotch settlement in the United States. He is also a Mason of high degree, and a prominent organizer of Masonic lodges in Vermont at that early day. His wife was Jean (Harvey) Roben, born near Glasgow, Scotland, and of a family of prominence in that locality. Walter Roben, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Renfrewshire, Scotland, near Glasgow, in 1786, and died at Ryegate, Vt., Aug. 13, 1867, at the age of 81 years. He was a farmer by occupation. His wife Polly (Thoams) Roben, mother of Matthew, was born in New Hampshire, in 1788, and died at Ryegate, Vt., in her 85th year. Mr. Roben was reared on his father's farm, and obtained a common-school education, which was supplemented by attendance for a considerable time at the Vermont Wesleyan University at Newbury. He came to Ohio in 1835, where he engaged in teaching school, at first in Tuscarawas County, and afterwards in Morrow (then a part of Richland) County. After several years he purchased a farm in Morrow County, near the village of West Point, and engaged in farming. Later, he added another farm to this, and built a store at West Point, where for some time he sold a general stock of goods, and at the same time attended to the management of his farms. In these business operations he was quite successful. Having been elected County Recorder of Morrow County, he removed to Mount Gilead, the county seat, where he continued to reside during the remainder of the time he lived in Ohio, a period of 18 years. Mr. Roben was a resident of what is now Morrow County about 35 years in all, and was thoroughly identified with the early growth and interests of that county. Having contracted the asthma, and his health being poor, he removed with his family in 1872 to Cassoplis, Mich., where he resided one year; but not finding his health much improved by the climate of that place, he removed to Big Rapids, in May 1873. Soon afterward he built a store and residence on State street, and in 1874 went into mercantile business again, carrying on a general store, and doing a safe but limited business, such as his health would permit. In 1881, he retired from the business. Mr. Roben was married in Knox Co., Ohio, in 1840 to Esther Albach, who was born in Northumberland Co., Pa., in 1819, and came with her parents family to Ohio when a young lady. Her father was John Albach, a wealthy farmer, a leading citizen, and an early pioneer of Northumberland County. Mr. and Mrs. Roben have had seven children - two sons and five daughters. Their eldest son and daughter died in childhood. Their surviving son, Douglas (see sketch), and four daughters reside in Big Rapids. Two daughters are married, and of the two remaining unmarried, one is a teacher, and the other an artist. Mr. Roben belongs to the Order of Odd Fellows, (an encampment member), and is a Royal Arch Mason. Additional Comments: 1883 Portrait & Bio Album of Mecosta Co. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/mi/mecosta/bios/roben517nbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/mifiles/ File size: 4.2 Kb