Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Page 373 

ROBERT CHERRY. The gentleman whose name stands at the head of this sketch is a general farmer and stock-raiser, pursuing his pleasant and profitable occupation on section 29, Rockford Township. He is a native of Ohio, having been born there Aug. 20, 1825. His parents, James and Margaret (Hannah) Cherry, were natives of Ohio, his father being of Scotch origin. Both died when Robert was a lad. Being thus left an orphan in his youth he became inured to labor ere reaching man's estate, and being dependent on his own resources he soon acquired the habits of self-reliance, industry and economy, which became the foundation of his present prosperity. In 1838, when only thirteen years of age, he went to Henry County, Ill, and secured work as a farm laborer. He soon won friends in that place, and kind hands were willing to aid him in his efforts for self-maintenance, and in a few years, by steady application to work, he had saved quite a small sum, and had decided to settle in that county until he was sure his condition would be much improved by change. Several years later Mr. Cherry, after investigating the merits of the wonderful accounts of the Kansas soil, its fertility and productiveness, decided to remove to this State. Accordingly in 1883 he came to this county, and purchased the property which he now occupies; it is very favorably located, is well watered and finely adapted to the raising of stock, in which he has already made a good start, as well as to the various crops common to Kansas. This farm comprises 160 acres of choice land on section 29. 

            In August, 1849, Mr. Cherry was married to Mary A., daughter of Adrian and Esther (Hanks) Van Winkle, natives respectively of New Jersey and Kentucky. After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Van Winkle they settled in Rock Island County, Ill., where Mary, their daughter, was born in 1832. Mrs. Van Winkle was an own cousin of the lamented Lincoln. 

            To Mr. and Mrs. Cherry have been born six children, namely: Mary F., who died in June, 1850; James H., born May 15, 1851; Alwillda J., Aug. 29, 1853; Robert A., Oct. 1, 1855; Alice L., Oct. 6, 1857: Lillie Laurentine, Nov. 9, 1866. All are married and successful in life. As an honest man and worthy citizen Mr. Cherry deserves the respect and esteem in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen. In politics he is a Democrat, intelligently supporting his party by voice and vote, although he does not care to take an active part in public life. A lithographic view is shown of Mr. Cherry's residence.

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