Born June 30, 1829 (1831? - '29 according to his headstone) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, to Samuel McGrath and Jan Denning.
Married to Esther Weir July 2, 1857, Jo Daviess County, IL.
Esther and Robert had at least eight children:
Name Date of Birth Birth Place James Edward (Ed) McGrath 04-23-1858 Derinda Center, Jo Daviess County, IL Charles Marvin McGrath 02-23-1863 IL Wilmer Weir (Will) McGrath 01-05-1870 Derinda, Jo Daviess County, IL Benjamin Robert (BR) 05-17-1873 IL Mary (died as infant) David Eda Sadie
We have specific records for the first four children, but so far nothing for the last four - these last four are maintained here as family verbal and anecdotal history includes these four (and the Derinda Township history below lists Mary).
In the US Federal Census taken 1860, Robert, Esther, and son James lived in Jo Daviess County, Illinois.
In the US Federal Census taken 1880, Robert and Esther lived in Derinda, Jo Daviess County, Illinois with their four sons.
In the US Federal Census taken 1900, Robert and Esther lived in Woodland Township, Carroll County IL. The record states that they were married for 43 years and that they had five children with four surviving. Robert was a farmer. They lived next to their son James Edward (Ed) McGrath and his wife Hattie and their six children.
James married Hattie, and they had six childred. James was a farmer, and died April 29, 1932, Woodland. IL. He was buried May 1, 1932, Zion Cemetery, Mt Carroll, IL.
Wilmer married Henrietta (Etta) DelaVergne March 8, 1893, Elsie, Perkins County, NE (Note: Etta is Ida May's sister). They had son Floyd and daughter Gladys. Wilmer was a physician. He died in a tragic car/fall accident January 9, 1937, Carroll County Illinois. Son Floyd was also a physician.
Benjamin was a physician. He was married twice. First to Susan Williamson and had three children. After Susan died, he married Dessie and had two more children. Family stories say that WD McGrath went to Grand Island to practice medicine with or near his uncle Ben. Ben died November 18, 1940, Grand Island NE. He is buried in Grand Island Cemetery with 1st wife Susan and their son William.
Here is a Civil War era document showing Robert (and his brother David) subject to military service.
Robert died June 18 (19?), 1903, Carroll County, IL, buried in Zion Cemetery, Mt Carroll, IL.
Below are extracts from the historical documents.
Derinda Township Biographical Directory
From The History of Jo Daviess County Illinois
by H. F. Kett & Co.; Chicago, Illinois; 1878
McGrath, Robert - farmer, merchant and Postmaster; Sec. 17; P. O. Derinda Center; born in Pennsylvania in 1831; came to this state and galena in 1836; settled in Derinda Twp. same year, and on his present farm in 1849; he was married, in 1857, to Miss Esther Weir from Pennsylvania; they have had five children: Jane E. [this should be James], born April 23, 1858; Charles M., Feb. 15 [other records say 23], 1863; Willmer W., Jan 1870; Bennie R. May 17, 1873; Mary E., Jan. 31, 1868, died Oct. 8, 1868. Mr. g. was elected Constable when the Twp. was first organized in 1854, he held it four years; Township Constable one year, Postmaster since Jan. 27, 1873; he has 100 acres of land in Sections 9 and 11.
Derinda TownshipJo Daviess County, Illinois
From the book History of Jo Daviess County, 1904
The Township of Derinda derives its name, as has heretofore been noted, from a woman. The first settlement was made in the township about the year 1836 and, among the first settlers if not the very first were the Olivers, the Hermans and the Hendershots. It is claimed that one Robert Campbell was the first individual to own land within the township. After the persons just named came Robert McGrath. The face of the country is rather hilly and rocky, but is quite well timbered. Farming is the principal business of the inhabitants. There are some signs of mineral deposits in the township. Considerable iron ore has been found, and an attempt has been made to develop an iron ore mine. The township has no railroad facilities, however, and, so far, the ore has not been found in sufficient quantities to prove profitable. There are a large number of Germans within the township, and it was first proposed to call the township New Germany, but the proposition failed. There are no organized cities or villages within the township but there are two places--one called Derinda Centre and one Massbach--at which considerable business is transacted. Its inhabitants are a well-to-do, law-abiding people.
Last revised July 19, 2013
