David Robertson, the leading physician and surgeon in Milton, and a member of the Ontario Legislature for Halton, is a native of this county, and was born in the Township of Esquesing, July 9, 1841. His father, Alexander Robertson, was from Perthshire, Scotland; his mother, whose maiden name was Nancy Moore, from New England. The father of our subject, born in Perthshire, 1785, was the grandson of Colonel Donald Robertson, of Woodshiel, who commanded the Clan Robertson at the battle of Culloden, April 16, 1746, in which he was severely wounded. On recovering he made his escape to France, and saved his head but lost his property. Prince Charles thought so highly of him that he procured a Colonel’s commission for him in the French Army, in which he served for more than a quarter of a century. While in that country he married a French lady, greatgrandmother to our subject.
Alexander Robertson entered the British Army when quite young, and obtained an officer’s commission, serving in the Peninsular war, where he was so seriously wounded that he was obliged to retire from the service. After a few years’ residence in the West Indies, he came to Canada and settled in Esquesing in the County of Halton, among the pioneers in this locality. At first he followed surveying and school teaching, and subsequently farming, and was one of the first magistrates in the Township of Esquesing. He did business for the early settlers for miles round, by whom he was known as ” Squire Robertson.” He was the father of eight children, and died at Esquesing in 1853. His widow is living with one of her daughters, Mrs. Hocking, in Milton.
Dr. Robertson was educated in Ligney Common School, and Milton Grammar School; studied medicine with Dr. William Hume, of Milton, and at McGill College, Montreal; received the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and Master in Surgery in 1864, and practiced three years at Nassagaweya, twelve miles from Milton. While a resident of that township, Dr. Robertson was Local Superintendent of schools and a member of the Board of Examiners of Public School.
Teachers for the county. During that period the Fenian raid of 1866 occurred, and he aided in raising a company of Volunteers (No. 8), of which he was made Captain, resigning that office when he took up his abode in Milton in 1867. He is now Captain of a company of Reserve Militia.
On locating at the county town, Dr. Robertson soon built up an extensive and highly remunerative practice, so much so, that in 1875, having more business than he could attend to, he took into partnership, Dr. John H. Bennett, the firm’s name being Robertson and Bennett. They do the larger part of the medical and surgical practice in Milton and vicinity.
Since settling in Milton Dr. Robertson has been a town councilor three years, and then Mayor four years in succession; and he has also been Treasurer of the School Board and of the Mechanics’ Institute nine years.
In June, 1879, the Doctor was elected to the Local Parliament, and is representing the Riding of Halton in that body. He was President of the Reform Association of this Riding for eight years, resigning when nominated by his party for his present office. He is very firm in his political sentiments, and earnest in advocating them, both in private and public, believing them to be for the best interests of the country. He is a man of sterling common sense, and will be likely to make a valuable legislator.
The Doctor is Past Master in the Masonic fraterity, and an Odd Fellow.
January 27, 1867, he married Miss Jeannette Sophia, eldest daughter of the late Samuel Morse, of Milton. They have had six children, two being dead and four living three daughters and one son.
Dr. Robertson has always taken a deep interest in the welfare of the town and county, and has done everything possible to promote the interest of both. He owns considerable real estate in Milton and also a valuable farm of 220 acres 120 in Esquesing the old homestead and 100 in Nassagaweya.