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From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 546
ROBERT McBRIDE, late of Platteville, Grant county, a skillful mechanic, prosperous farmer and highly respected citizen, was a native of the State, born Jan. 20, 1833.
John and Rosa McBRIDE, parents of Robert, came to the United States, landing in New York city. John McBRIDE for some time worked on the Erie canal, aiding in its construction, and later went to Philadelphia, Penn., where he worked as a linen weaver. After a short sojourn there he came to Wisconsin, purchasing a farm in Lafayette county, on which he spent the remainder of his life. He raised a family of ten children, of whom two live in Platteville, John and Mrs. Robert BROWN. The children were all well educated in the old Academy of Platteville.
When a young man Robert MCBRIDE purchased a farm near Platteville. In December, 1861, he married Miss Sabina Robinson, of Platteville, a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (BRATTON) ROBINSON, natives of England, who were prominent pioneers of Grant county. On coming to Wisconsin, in 1841, Mr. ROBINSON settled on the farm near Platteville on which he died in 1888. He was three times married, and Mrs. MCBRIDE, who is the eldest child of the first wife, was born in 1841, and was educated in the schools of Platteville. At his marriage Mr. MCBRIDE located on a farm, and there lived until 1889, when he removed to Platteville, where he had purchased a beautiful residence and other real estate. Here he died May 20, 1890, and here his estimable widow still has her home.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. McBRIDE was blessed with four children, viz.: Jesse, who was born in Lafayette county, Wis., in 1862, was graduated from the State Normal school of Platteville, and married Miss Georgie MEELEY, of Kansas, who has borne him three children, Robert B., Eunice and Douglas; the family now reside in Minneapolis, Minn., where Jesse is bookkeeper for a milling firm. Lucina born in 1865 was likewise graduated from the State Normal, is a stenographer, and has an office in the Bailey block. Robert Lester, born on the home farm in September, 1869, also graduated from the State Normal, married Miss Lillie EASTMAN, of Platteville, and is at present stenographer for the Minneapolis Implement Machine Co. Lillian R., born in 1872, graduated from the State Normal and the State University, and is now principal of the graded schools of Plymouth, Wisconsin.
In religion Mr. McBRIDE was a devout Methodist, and Mrs. McBRIDE, a lady of strong religious convictions, has always taken an active part in the work of the church, in the faith of which she has carefully reared her children. In politics Mr. MCBRIDE was a stanch Republican, held several local offices when living on his farm, and in 1880 was census enumerator of his district. He was a loving and devoted husband, a fond and indulgent father, a sincere friend, and his death was truly mourned by all who knew him. His widow, than whom no more estimable lady resides in Platteville, is passing her days in ease and comfort, esteemed and beloved by a large circle of true friends.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck