Levi Robey was born on Oct. 22, 1807 in Washington Township, near Portsmouth, Scioto County, OH. He died on March 27, 1894 near McConnell, IL.

He was married to Almira Wait (daughter of Asa Wait and Lydia Kendall) on Dec. 26, 1833 in Washington Township, near Portsmouth, Scioto, OH. Almira Wait was born on July 18, l813 in Cortland Co., NY. She died on May 28, 1900 in McConnell, IL. She was buried in Stephenson Co., IL. She died of heart trouble and was buried with Levi in the Robey-Wait Cemetery.

Levi Robey Robeys' Home Sketched

Almira Robey Levi Robey when 58

Almira age 52 Levi Robey Home

Four generations

Levi taught school as a young man in Ohio, and so did his wife. He also sold clocks in Cincinnatti, Ohio. In Illinois, he cleared his land (the first purchased in Stephenson County of the Governor in 1847) and built a log cabin for himself and his wife shortly after coming there in 1834. He built first along the Pecatonica River (in Waddam Township) by a spring, but later built another log cabin up the hill, where most of his children were born. All of their children were born in Stephenson County. Later he built the house which is still standing to accommodate his growing family.

Levi and his wife were Methodists. Although he was a successful farmer, he was at heart a politician, an ardent Democrat, as was his father before him. He held practically every office in the locality. He was a supervisor; Justice of Peace; surveyor; writer of news to the "Bulletin," (a democratic paper in Freeport County Seat) and was always in Freeport to attend court. He was there at the time of death of his wife’s mother, whom he termed "our beloved mother" in his letters to his folks in Texas. Both died at the age of 87, on the farm which they had homesteaded.

When they first came to Illinois, Indians used to call on them. Sometimes Almira would have to chase the young Indian men with a broom or poker to make them quit stealing her food from the cupboard. Her mother was a tailoress and fashioned men's clothes for weddings and Almira helped her and spun wool, made maple sugar, made soap, and was the fastest knitter in the country. They both lived to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. In spite of the hardships and sorrows that came their way, they spent a very happy life together and are buried side by side and near her mother in the cemetery near their home. Levi's funeral was held at the family residence in Waddams township. He cast his first presidential vote for Andrew Jackson.

Randy Campbell describes the Robeys' home on his website, "It was built in 1847 in the Georgian Style, and is still standing and still being lived in. The Robeys occupied it from 1847 until the death of Almira Robey in 1900. In 1901 their son Levi Woodbury Robey sold it and moved to Wisconsin, and thus it passed from the family.

Their last surviving granddaughter, Sarah Ellen "Sadie" Young Moore described its layout to me when I attended her 100th birthday celebration in 1979. She said there were four bedrooms upstairs with a single connecting parlor, two bedrooms downstairs, each with its own parlor, and the kitchen and dining room. They hosted many a Methodist circuit rider in their home, and it was a gathering place for many family events. Both of the Robeys died in their home, and their funerals were held there as well. Both are buried in the Robey-Waite family cemetery a short distance from their home."

In the 1890 picture (above) of the Robeys' house, the grown woman is Almira Viola Young and the two little girls are Nell Robey Gibler and Rayne Robey Johnson, daughters of Levi and Almira's son, Levi Woodbury Robey. When Levi's wife died in 1884, Levi & Almira's grand-daughter (Louisa's daughter), Almira Young was asked to come and live with the Robeys and help with the child care. This she did, and remained to care for them in their final years until their deaths as well.

60th Anniversary of Levi and Almira Waite Robey

MARRIED SIXTY YEARS

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATED BY UNCLE LEVI ROBEY AND WIFE, OF MCCONNELL

(FROM THE GALENA GAZETTE)

A social event of no little interest took place Tuesday at the home of Levi Robey, known far and near as "Uncle Levi," in Stephenson county, near McConnell. It was the sixtieth anniversary of the wedding of Mr. Robey and his estimable wife. For three score long years this worthy old couple have walked together down the path of life, sharing each other's joys and sorrows, and vast and wonderful changes have transpired since they clasped hands at the altar.

Mr. Robey is now in his 87th year and is hale and hearty, while his wife at 80 is equally strong and well preserved. He is one of the earliest settlers of this part of the northwest now living, having come to the pace where he now lives in 1834, and he is the oldest resident of Stephenson county. Galena used to be his trading point in early days and many a load of grain and pork he brought here. He and his brother, Wadleigh, who passed away several years ago, came to Stephenson county at the same time but the brother always claimed to be the older resident of the county by virtue of having been riding in the wagon when they crossed the county line while Levi was walking behind. Uncle Levi admitted the fact but always qualified it by stating that it happened so because Wad was too lazy to walk.

None but relatives from this and Stephenson counties were invited to the anniversary celebration, but the party was not by any means small on that account, as the relatives number nearly one hundred persons, among them being the Graves, Rogers and Rockey families of this county.

December 27, 1893, Galena (Illinois) Gazette.

Note: Levi Robey and Almira Waite were married 26 December 1833 at the home of the bride's mother in Washington Township, Scioto County, Ohio. R. Campbell, Ed. ~ From Randy Campbell

For further interesting reading:

Levi Robey Biography from Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Illinois, Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1885.

Levi Robey Obituary

Almira Robey Obituary

Some Wait history discussed in a letter dated 1938 and 1939 between Robey, Wykes, and Wait relatives

Email: familygenerations@yahoo.com