My Genealogy Hound

Rev. J. C. Robertson, pastor of the Baptist Church at Elm Springs, Ark., was born in Greene County, Tenn., in 1846, and is a son of Jesse and Margaret (Collier) Robertson, who were farmers by occupation and the parents of nine children, J. C. Robertson being the only one now living. His grandfather was Col. John Collier, of the Revolutionary War. At about the age of twenty-one years he left home and went to Illinois, and became a student in Shurtleff College, which institution he attended four years. Our subject began to preach in the Presbyterian Church in Greene County, Tenn., and one year after, just before entering Shurtleff College, he changed his views and became a Baptist. After attaining his twentieth year he had been engaged in preaching the gospel, and after leaving college he again resumed preaching, his first location being at Beauregard, Miss., where he remained one year. He next removed to Auburn, Kas., remaining three years, and was also pastor of the Dover (Kan.) Church for two years. He was next pastor of the Cedar Creek (Mo.) Church for three years, and at the end of that period came to Arkansas, and has been pastor of the Wager Mill Baptist Church ever since. He has organized a church at Elm Springs, to which he is devoting his time and attention. He is peculiarly fitted for discussing theological questions, having gained considerable notoriety by discussing such questions with able men representing other faiths. He has the largest library of theological and historical works in the county, and is a consistent reader and close student. He has been clerk and treasurer of the Baptist Association, of Benton County, Ark., for ten years, and is well posted in the history and doctrine of the church which he represents. He votes the Democratic ticket, and is a member of the A. F. & A. M. While residing in Mississippi he was united in marriage to Miss Sazine Vitzalon Tillman, who was born in that State in 1852, and their union has been blessed in the birth of five children, two of whom are living, Theodosia and Effie.