Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Oakland County, Michigan - 1891

Robertson, Charles Gray

Among the physicians of Oakland County, none have endeared themselves to their patrons more thoroughly than the subject of this sketch. He located in Clarkston in 1880, and has built up a large and remunerative practice. Study and experience combined to give him skill before he came to Clarkston, and his earnestness and sterling quality of mind had added to the force of his instruction and made practical all that he learned. He is an excellent type of his nationality, and a worthy representative of a family, many members of which have been prominent in political and social circles. In former times the Robertsons had much influence in Scotland and the name is not unknown in the history of that country. The family was honored with a coat-of-arms and its members filled stations of influence and responsibility. The father of our subject was George Robertson, who was born in Sterling, Scotland, in 1783, his mother, Violet (Anderson) Robertson, was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. They came to America in 1837. and established their home in this county. The trail from Pontiac northwest was at that time distinguished by blazed trees, there being no road and not even a path. Mr. Robertson was reared as a merchant and had been thus occupied in his native land, and when he engaged in farming here he suffered much from the unaccustomed labor and the privations of pioneer life. The climate also was different from that to which he was used, and it WHS not long ere he contracted pneumonia which proved a fatal illness. Dr. Robertson was born in Glasgow, November 24, 1830, and was but a lad when he accompanied his parents across the Atlantic. He remained on the farm until he was sixteen years old, then went to school to prepare himself for a professional life. As his means were limited, it was necessary for him to teach during the winter months to earn the money with which to pay his expenses while pursuing his studies in the summer. In 1848 he went to live with his brother, an attorney at Mt. Clemens, and there he attended school and also began reading medicine with Dr. Taylor. In 1850-57 he attended lectures at Ann Arbor, and leaving the college two years later he began his practice in Waterford and also carried on a drug store there. In 1853 he sold out and went to Clift Mines in the Lake Superior region, holding the position of Assistant Surgeon for the company three years. He was not satisfied with the amount of technical knowledge he possessed, and continued his study, determined to acquire the degree of Doctor of Medicine, which he had not yet taken. His desire was fulfilled in 18G2, when he was graduated from the Buffalo University of Medicine. March 12, 1863, Dr. Robertson enrolled as Assistant Surgeon in the Eighth Michigan Cavalry and was promoted to Surgeon September 12. 1864. His regiment took part in many of the engagements during Sherman's march to the sea, and Surgeon Robertson was present on many a bloody field. At Sunshine, GA., July 31, 1864, during Stoneman's raid, he was taken prisoner, but was released September 3. September 22, 1865, he was mustered out and honorably discharged, and returning to this State he took up his practice at White Lake. He remained there until 1875, in 1877 located in St. Clair, and after a sojourn of three years came to Clarkston. In 1853 Dr. Robertson was united in marriage with Miss Jessie Newton, who was born on the Island of Jamaica in 1831. The record of the children born of the union is as follows: Ada, June 22, 1855; Clara C, born in 1858, died in I860: Clara J., born February 26, 1861 ; Milton G., December 17, 1868. The son is now living in Pontiac. Dr. Robertson, in the midst of the arduous duties of his profession, finds time for some social pleasures and a share in the workings of lodges in which he is interested. He is a Mason, belonging to Cedar Lodge, No. 60, F. & A. M., and is a Knight in Tent No. 85, K. O. T. M. In politics he is a Democrat. Well versed on topics of general interest, with a manly and courteous bearing, he impresses people as one in whom to repose confidence, and numbers will testify that their trust has not been misplaced.