My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM ROSBOROUGH was a representative business man of Randolph County, and well deserves representation in its history. He was born in Ballymena, Ireland, in 1802, and when a youth of sixteen crossed the Atlantic to America, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio. There he entered the employ of a Mr. Mahard, who was engaged in the commission business, and with whom he continued until 1833.

In that year Mr. Rosborough married Miss Mary Mahard, a sister of his employer. To them were born five children. Elizabeth is now residing in the old home in Sparta. Robert H., a railroad contractor and auditor, and also a dealer in coal, married Elizabeth McCutcheon, and they have five children: William J., a railroad conductor; Rachel, Robert H., Jr., John and Allen. Martha R., the third child of the family, is the widow of Dr. Leeper, who was born in Beaver County, Pa., in 1832, and there grew to manhood. He pursued his literary studies in Jefferson College, and studied medicine in the State University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia. He began practice in Chester, Ill., and afterward removed to Coulterville, where he followed his profession for twenty-five years. His name is always mentioned in the highest terms of praise by all who knew him. He won an enviable position in his profession, and was a liberal and public-spirited citizen. Anna J., another member of the Rosborough family, is the wife of Daniel P. Barker, of Sparta, Secretary and Superintendent of the Sparta Natural Gas and Oil Company. He served in the Union army as a member of Company K, One Hundred and Forty-second Illinois Infantry, and at the close of the war returned to Sparta, where he has since resided. Mr. and Mrs. Barker have four children: Albert M., now connected with the Rocky Mountain News; Lewis, a student in Champaign, Ill.; Mary R. and Elizabeth. Mary M., the youngest member of the Rosborough family, is the wife of the Rev; Hugh Y. Leiper, of Pravo, Ohio. They have had five children: William, Hugh, Earl (deceased), Donald and Mary.

In 1833 William Rosborough came to Illinois, locating in Randolph County, where he at once embarked in merchandising. In 1840 he removed to Sparta, and continued general merchandising in connection with the manufacture of castor oil. He also engaged in the packing business, and later in the flouring business. In 1882 he laid aside all business cares, and after living retired for three years, he was called to his final rest, at the age of eighty-three. In the accumulation of property he was very successful, but at no time did he sacrifice his honor for temporal benefit. He had the confidence of his entire circle of acquaintances, who regarded his integrity as above question. His was indeed an honorable life, well worthy of emulation. In his early years he belonged to the United Presbyterian Church, but afterward joined the regular Presbyterian Church.