Descendants of Robert* William Aten Generation No. 1 1. ROBERT* WILLIAM8 ATEN (WILLIAM* W T7, ADRIAN* (AARON)6, DIRCK* (DIRK DETRICH)(RICHARD)5, ADRIAN* (ADRIAEN)4, HENDRICK* (HENRICHS) "HENRY"3, ADRIAEN* (ANDRIAEN) HENDRICKSE (AATON)2, ARREAEN* HENDRICHSE (HENDRICK)(ATEN AATON)1 AATEN) was born August 08, 1818 in Fairview, Hancock County, West Virginia (Brooke County, Virginia), and died November 13, 1900 in Table Grove, Fulton County, Illinois (Vermont, Illinois). He married (1) SARAH* BEALE May 15, 1850 in Hancock County, West Virginia (Pennsylvania), daughter of BENJAMIN* BEALE and HANNAH WYCKOFF. He married (2) MARY* JANE ALLISON October 16, 1851 in *Hancock County, West Virginia, daughter of JONATHAN* ALLISON and LENA* PUGH. Notes for ROBERT* WILLIAM ATEN: Came to IL in 1854, Oakland Twp., Schuyler Co. Was in Presbyterian Church in Vermont, transferred in July 1870 to Oak Valley Presbyterian Church. Have funeral card. Both killed at R. R. Crossing Vermont, IL. Obituary: The Rushville Time, 11-15-1900, p. 1, column 6. Robert & wife, Mary Jane were killed on railroad tracks, by a train, edge of Vermont, IL, 1900, Funeral Nov. 15th 1900. Text Isaiah - 25- 8 god will wipe away tears from off all faces. Rev. 7-17-21-4 Robert died Nov. 13, 1900, aged 82 yrs 3 mos & 5 dys Mary Jane Allison Aten died Nov. 13, 1900, aged 74 yrs 4 mos & 9 dys. Funeral from their home 6 miles SW of Vermont, IL, Thurs Nov. 15th at 10 o'clock A.M. Services at M.E. Church at 11 o'clock. Rushville Times. Have information on their death from the train in files. 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 has disposed of all but 400 acres in 1892. He carried on a general agr. business. He makes a specialty of raising live-stock, and ships from two to three carloads of hogs and as many cattle during the year. Taken from: Biographical Review of Schuyler & Brown Counties 1892. Lived on a farm between Vermont, & Ray. Vermont was their Post Office. Oakland Station near Ray, IL Atlas 1872 Oakland Twp. Track - 23 Robert Aten Track - 13 R Aten Track - 1 W.J. Winner Affiliated with the Whigs & then the Republicans. IL 1870 June 14 Oakland Stream Mill PO Roll 593-276 Pg 8-9 Robert 51 farmer WV 9,000 2,500, Mary Jane 42 WV, Nancy L 18 WV, Henry Clay 16 WV, William A F 14 IL, Sarah Hane 11 IL, Robert Burns 9 IL, James Grant 7 IL, Daniel W 4 IL, Flora A 1 IL, Jonathan Allison 68 WV T1133-15 Pg 1 & 2 Agriculture Census, Oct. 14 - have in files IL1880 June 17 Oakland Twp. Roll T9-250 Pg 434 Dwelling #128 Family #130: Robert 61 WV, Mary 51 WV, Henry 26 WV , Fremont 23 IL, Robert Jr. 18 IL, Grant 16 IL, Daniel 14 IL, Ann 11 IL, John 9 IL T1133-52 Pg 12 Agriculture Census June 16 - have in files IL 1890 June 18 Roll T723-344 Oakland Twp. Schuyler Co. pg 126 Dwelling #165 Family # 166 Robert, Aug 1818 81 yrs Va. farmer can read & write Own free farm # of farm 123, Mary Jane July 1828 71 yrs married 49 yrs 10 children 9 still living VA can read & write Oakland Twp. T623-344 Roll: Robert, Aug., 1818, 81, Va., Va., Va., Married 49 yrs; Mary Jane, July, 1828, 71, Va., Va., Va., 10 kids 9 or7 still alive IL 1900 June 18 Oakland Twp. Schuyler Co.: Aten, Robert, Aug, 1818, 81 yrs, VA, VA, VA; Mary Jane, July, 1828, 71, VA, VA, VA Taken from the National Archives - Chicago, &7358 S. Pulaski Rd. U.S. Census Agriculture; (Tll33-15 pg. 1&2); Oakland TWP. Schuyler Co. IL; Oct. 14, 1870 ROBERT ATEN Name of Agent, Owner or Manager: Robert Aten 150 improved acres 200 unimproved, woodlands $9,000 present cash value of farm $150 present cash value of farming implements & machinery $15 total amount of wages paid during the year including value of bourd 6 horse; 5 milch cows; 24 other cattle; 110 sheep; 30 swine; $1,440 value of all live stock; $175 winter wheat; 500 bushel Indian corn; 300 bushel Oats; 500 bushel wood; 40 bushel Irish potatoes; $125 orchard products; 200 lbs. butter; 40 tons hay; $30 forest products; $565 value of animals slaughtered or sold for slaughter; $1,750 slue estimated value of all farm production , & U.S. Census Agriculture; (TI133-52 pg. 12); Oakland TWP. Schuyler Co. IL; June 16, 1880 ROBERT ATEN Name of Agent, Owner or Manager: Robert Aten 160 acres tilled including fallow & grass in rotation (wheater pasture or meadow) 39 acres permanent meadow, pasture, orchards, vineyard 156 acres woodland & forest $6,400 value of farm including land, fences & buildings $175 value of farm implements & machinery $670 value of live stock $40 fences, cost of building or repairing in 1879 $90 amount paid for wages for farm labor during 1879, including value of bourd 16 weeks hired labor in 1879 upon farm & dairy excluding house work $1,600 estimated value of all farm production ( sold, consumed or on hand in 1879) 10 tons hay, grass land , product harvested in 1879, 40 acres not mown in 1879 10 acres mown in 1879 6 horse of all ages Junel, 1880 4 milch cows 8 other ROBERT ATEN 1880 3 calves dropped; 50 purebreed; 40 sold living; 150 lbs. butter made on farm 1879; 54 sheep on hand; June 1, 1880; 42 lamb dropped; 41 sheep 1879 sold living; 4 sheep movement 1879, sheep & lamb, died of stress of weather 54 fleeces, clip, spring ; 1880, shorn & to be shorn 350 lbs. weight , clip, spring 1880, shorn & to be shorn 5 ; swine on hand June 1, 1880 36 barn-yard, poultry on hand June 1, 1880 exclusive spring of hatching 150 doz. eggs products in 1879 65 acres Indian corn 1879 2,000 bushel Indian-corn 1879 3 acres Oats 1879 50 bushel Oats 1879 42 acres wheat 1879 920 bushel wheat 1879 1/4 acres in sugar crop 22 gal. molasses 1879 40 lbs. honey; $190 forest products, value of all Militia Roll Record of Oakland Twp. Year 1861: Robert Aten, white male able bodied citizens of said town between the age of eighteen & forty-five years. Subject to military duty. Dated at Littleton this 28th day of July 1861. James S. McCoy, Assessor. At one time he was a public school teacher. He could name many teachers & preachers in the family. Have Probate records for Robert & Mary in file. Have Coat of Arms for Aten in file. >From Schuyler Co. His. Soc. Rushville have all of the Atens past & present in file. 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 sons 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} They were coming back from town in the buggy. It was a bad day and they had the storm curtains fully closed. Storm curtains gave only a small view out the front so they couldn't see any where but out the front. No one thought that Robert or Mary Jane knew that the train was coming. The horse balked so the buggy was on the tracks and when the train hit the buggy it pulled the harness right off the horse. I heard the horse wasn't hurt except for cuts and bruises from the harness. (Sara). 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 and 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. More About ROBERT* WILLIAM ATEN: Fact 1: November 22, 1900, Rushville Times obit Fact 2: 9 children; 7 born Oakland Township, Schuyler County, Illinois north of Ray Fact 3: November 15, 1900, Vermont Cemetery, Fulton County, Illinois Fact 4: 1840, VA Brooke County Census Fact 5: Probate Record also 1902 Fact 6: 1850, VA Hancock Co. Census Fact 7: 1870, IL 1870, 1880 Agr. Census Fact 8: 1892, Biographical Review of Schuyler Co Fact 9: killed when horse balked on RR crossing North of Vermont ( Storm buggy) Fact 10: IL 1870, 1880, 1900 Oakland Census Fact 11: 1960, Family History by Ruth Black Aten Fact 12: Biographical Review of Schuyler Co Fact 13: Teacher, Farmer Cause of Death: Struck by Rushville & Galesburg passenger train Notes for SARAH* BEALE: Sarah died one year to the day of her marriage day with infant girl. Via Ruth Elaine Aten Bozard, Box 24, Industry, Illinois 61440: Sarah Beale Aten appears in the 1850 Census with her father and 8 of her brothers and sisters, Hancock County, West Virginia. Sarah is buried in Flatt's Cemetery with her parents. More About SARAH* BEALE: Fact 1: Old Flatt's Cemetery, Pughtown (New Manchester), West Virginia Fact 2: died in childbirth Notes for MARY* JANE ALLISON: Killed when hit by train.