Following is one of the Biographies and Stories which where gathered by Charles Sumner McKamy in the 1950s for publication in a Crawford County History Book. Unfortunately he passed away before the book was published.
I was born in Robinson, Crawford County, Ill., son of Marcus & Elizabeth Root, with the assistance of Dr. A.G. Meserve. My mother was Welsh, father a Yankee who had migrated from Newark, Ohio, after my father was discharged from the War Between the States.
I lived on a farm, attended school at the Mann & Little Brick Schools which are south of Robinson.
At the age of 21 I migrated to Cabry, Ford County, Ill. to work on a farm for one season. I then secured a position at _____, Ill. for six years then moved to East St. Louis and was employed with the East St. Louis Electric Light and St. Railway Co. for 5 years, 1 year with Walsh Livery and Undertaking Firm, returning to Robinson in 1906.
I was married to Ercell Newland of Palestine who passed away. Then I was married to Mae Sweiger of Terre Haute, Ind.
With Everett Smith was the originator of the Halloween Party which reduced the destructive customs in our City and turned it into an enjoyable party without destruction.
Author's Note: Mr. Root remembers well when our present courthouse was built and the old courthouse was condemned. It was generally talked about town that a certain individual who lived here wanted to be Supervisor of Robinson Township and he let it be known that if he was elected Supervisor a new courthouse would be built and he was elected. A short time after that an order was given for props to be placed on the east side of the building supporting it and word went out that it was dangerous for county officials to stay in the building so they moved several of the offices to what was known as the Arlington Hotel. Later on, the old courthouse was torn down and a new courthouse voted, the contract being $42,000. Our new courthouse was built in the year ____. The contractor was unable to complete the building at his price and the actual cost to the county before it was actually complete was much more than price contracted for. Some of the largest land-owners were fearful that the taxes would make a burden on them, but it was found that very ....