Person:Robert Niven (5)

during 1841 census, Blantyre, Lanark co, Scotland: Robert was living with Grandparents.

acc to biography: Robert was born in Glasgow.

acc to George Albert PORTER: As a small child, Robert was left behind in Scotland to be raised & spoiled by two Uncles, who were Saloon Keepers. He didn't come to North American until he was a young man of 20. He had the same temperament as his father Mars (stern Scotsman).

Robert's wife is Corey Janene MARENTETTE's distant paternal cousin.

Robert was a talkative, prosperous farmer.

Robert & Alexander WHITE met in Montreal & went to London, Ontario & worked for Grand Trunk Railroad, staying in ailsa-Craig with Robert's sisters Janet & Margaret & possibly brother, John Doane NIVEN.

At time of marriage, Robert was 27 yrs old & lived at Portsmouth.

acc to Charlie STEWART: Robert NIVEN was tough, rough and ready...hard-boiled pretty good old sport....chased kids out of playing in haystack. Wasn't mean but outspoken and often stood up for meek citizens at town meetings and such. Helped several people who were being taken advantage of by others.

acc to Inezmae BAILEY... the School on Farley Rd used to be called NIVEN school because Robert (her Great Grandfather), was on the board that built it.

He died of cnacer of bowels. Funeral handled by Sparks & LaFrance Funeral Home.

1. ↑ Capt. Augustus GANSSER. History of Bay County & Representative Citizens. (1905 Richmond & Arnold)
   p673-4.
2.   Porter - Niven Genealogy. (George's Oct 1991 address:

   4101 18th Avenue North

   St Petersburg, FL 33713).
3.   Charley STEWART. (interview with Alma Isabelle NEVIN circa 1976.).
4.   Inezmae BAILEY.
5.   Capt. Augustus GANSSER. History of Bay County & Representative Citizens. (1905 Richmond & Arnold)
   pp673-4.

   Robert NIVEN, whose comfortable and attractive home is situated in section 27, Hampton township, on a portion of his fine farm of 120 acres, which extends through sections 33 and 34, was born in the famous old city of Glasgow, Scotland, May 3, 1834. He is a son of Mars and Susan (DON) NIVEN....
   
   Our subject was 10 years of age when his parents settled in the village of Lanark, Canada. Until he was 21 years old he was submissive to his father, giving all his earnings to the latter, although from the age of 13 years he worked on farms and later at the carpenter's trade all over the neighborhood. He moved to Huron District, Ontario, when he was about 18 years old, and then worked as a carpenter until he was about 32 years of age. After he had satisfactorily built his first barn, he started out for himself as a builder, and as such, he came to Bay City in 1866. Here he helped to build many of the great mills of this section, working as a millwright for eight years. He assisted in the building and operating of the old Hargrave mill and had charge of its machinery for seven years.
   
   
   Finally, Mr NIVEN decided to purchase a farm and settle down to an agricultural life. Land was plentiful, prices were within his means and during a very dry spell of weather, he was induced by unscrupulous agents, to buy his farm, ---120 acres of unbroken, low lying prairie land with no settlers in sight, no roads and no improvements. Mr. NIVEN was obliged to suffer for some years on account of the season of the year in which he had visited his property, for he found when the rains came that he had land which could never be made productive without extensive ditching and a great system of drainage. During the first six years he made a living by ditching through this neighborhood as his crops were all drowned out, but all the time he was getting his land, the soil of which was rich and wonderfully fertile, in good shape, and now he is well repaid for it is one of the best farms of the township. He has made all the improvements, erecting a dwelling and two barns on section 34 and on the home place has a comfortable dwelling, two barns, a granary and a workshop, including a tool shed and all necessary out-buildings. These he has constructed himself and all are substantial buildings. Mr. NIVEN has set out two fine orchards. He has 10 milch cows and sells his cream wholesale. He carries on general farming, raising grain, hay and sugar beets and many fine cattle yearly and is probably one of the most successful farmers of his section.
   
   Mr. NIVEN was married on June 1, 1867, to Mary TACIE, who was born in Huron District, Ontario, Canada, March 17, 1848, and is a daughter of Prosper & Harriet TACIE, of Quebec, Canada, of French extraction. They have had 14 children and have been very fortunate in rearing 12 of them, viz:....
   
   Mr. NIVEN was long identified with the Democratic party, but when it departed from its old standards, he could no longer support its principles and has since been affiliated with the Republicans. He has always been a leading man in his township, one whose responsible character has made his advice regarded with consideration on all public matters. For 18 years he has been connected with school offices and it was mainly through his efforts that the creditable school building was erected in School District, No. 6, Hampton township. For __ years he was school inspector.
   
   ..

6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1 6.2} Robert Niven, in Find A Grave.

   includes a photo of his grave marker with his birth and death years