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| DOUGLAS ROBEN, of the firm of Roben, Bennett & Gill, insurance, real estate, and loan agents, of Big Rapids, was born May 4, 1847, near Mount Gilead, Ohio; he is a son of Matthew and Esther (Albach) Roben, a grandson of Walter Roben, Esq., of Ryegate, Vt., and a great-grandson of Matthew Roben, of Renfrew, Scotland, a gentleman of means and influence, who was one of the chief founders and early pioneers of the Scotch colony in Caledonia Co., Vt. On his father's side, Mr. Roben is descended from an excellent Scotch stock, whose line of descent is traced back several hundred years, and is allied to various Lowland families of distinction. His maternal grandfather was John Albach (or Allpaugh, as the name was formerly and more correctly spelled), a prominent and wealthy citizen of Northumberland Co., Penn., who was of good Holland Dutch ancestry. His father Matthew Roben, was a native of Ryegate, Caledonia Co., Vt., a teacher, and afterward a merchant by occupation. (See sketch of Matthew Roben. Mr. Douglas Roben, the subject of this sketch, obtained a good education in the public and high schools of Mount Gilead, and at 15 received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, then located at Newport, R.I., and passing the initiatory examination, entered upon his academic course as midshipman in 1862. In 1863, his class (126 in number) was dispatched to the East Atlantic on a practice cruise, stopping at various ports of Englend, France, Spain, Portugal, and the Madeira Islands, sailing from the latter place to New York. Several other practice cruises were made on the coasts of the United States, during the course of studies at the Academy. Mr. Roben was distinguished while at the Naval Academy for proficiency in mathematical studies, and graduated high in his class, in 1866, at Annapolis, Md. Soon after graduation he was ordered to join the U.S. steamer "Ossipee," then at Philadelphia, for duty on the Pacific station. The "Ossipee" left the United States in November, 1866, crossed the Atlantic to the Madeira Isles, and after a brief visit there went south to the Cape of Verdes, thence to Rio Janeiro, and finally through the Straits of Magellan to the Pacific Ocean. After a visit to various ports in Chili, Peru, and the Isthmus of Panama, the "Ossipee" reported at San Francisco, in August, 1867. Soon after arriving on the station, the "Ossipee" was ordered to convey the U.S. and Russian Commissioners to Alaska, that territory having recently been purchased by our Government. Mr. Roben was a participant in the ceremonies of transfer, the hauling down of the Russian flag from the Governor's palace, the hoisting of the stars and stripes, and the firing of the international salutes. His name appears as a witness on the deed of transfer of the Territory, executed and delivered at Sitka, whereby Alaska became part and parcel of the United States. The "Ossipee" returned with the State papers to San Francisco, encountering a terrific storm a short distance out from Sitka. She was then ordered to the South, to visit all ports on the Pacific coast of Mexico and Central America. This she proceeded to do, calling at each important harbor in succession, till she reached the southernmost port of Costa Rica. Returning north to Nicaragua, the yellow fever broke out on board the "Ossipee," and a number of men and officers died of the disease, Mr. Roben fortunately escaping the contagion. The ship proceeded to Acapulco, in Mexico, opn her way to San Francisco. At Acapulco, Mr. Roben received the news of his promotion to the grade of Ensign, together with orders to proceed south by mail steamer to Panama, and there to join the U. S. ship "Cyane," (originally a British vessel, and captured by the "Constitution" in the war of 1812). During Mr. Roben's service on board the "Cyane," she was the greater part of the time stationed at Panama, to observe the progress of a rebellion then existing in the United States of Columbia, and to guard the interests of our countrymen on the Isthmus. Returning to San Francisco in the "Cyane" a few months later, Mr. Roben received his second commission as Master in the Navy, together with three months' leave of absence. The Union and Central Pacific Roads having just been completed, he crossed the continent by rail. At the expiration of his leave he was ordered to join the U.S. ship "Supply," at Boston, in the capacity of Navigator. The "Supply" went to Europe for the purpose of establishing a U.S. naval storehouse and depot at Spezzia, Italy; but on arrival there, diplomatic difficulties were found to be in the way, and the depot was finally placed at Nice, France, where it still remains. The expedition occupied nearly a year, including time spent in various other Mediterranean ports, and Mr. Roben received his third commission as Lieutenant while in Europe, dating March, 1870, he being then only 22 years of age. After arriving at home he was ordered to join the U. S. steamer "Severn," flag-ship of the North Atlantic Squadron; but a serious difficulty having developed itself in Mr. Roben's eyes, durint the last cruise, arising from the use of astronomical instruments in taking solar observations, he requested to be asigned to duty on shore, and was accordingly ordered to the naval station at Mound City, Ill, as executive officer, where he remained four months. He was then ordered to join the U. S. steamer "Shawmut" to Pensacola, Fla., where he landed and proceeded home to Ohio. I the month of November, 1872, he was summoned before the Retiring Board at Washington, and after an examination of his eyes by the medical officers of that Board, he was placed upon the retired list, with the rank of Lieutenant, for "disability received in the line of duty," which position upon the retired list he holds at the present time. From Washington he went to Cassopolis, Cas Co., Mich., where he resided until May 1873. While at cassoplis he passed a successful examination for admission to the bar, and was admitted to practice in the State Courts of Michigan. In May, 1873, he came to Big Rapids, and opened his office, practicing as an attorney, and giving his attention chiefly to real-estate cases. In 1876 he formed a partnership with E. J. Marsh, under the firm name of Roben & Marsh. This relation continued two years, and in August 1878, he associated himself with A. W. Bennett, in insurance, real-estate, and loan business. (See sketch of A. W. Bennett.) In June, 1883, John G. Gill was admitted to the concern, which since its inception has been transacting a successful and estending business. Dec. 26, 1876, Mr. Roben was married to Stella, daughter of Judge William P. Bennett, of Cassoplois, and a grand-daughter of Rev. Cephas Bennett, a pioneer Baptist misionary at Rangoon, British Burmah, who has done missionary work there for the past 55 years, and has charge of the Baptist missionary press of BUrmah; she is also a great-grand-daughter of REv. Alfred Benett, one of the early and leading Baptist ministers of New York State. She was born in Cass Co., Mich., March 31, 1859. A son, Donald B., was born to Mr. and Mrs. Roben, July 19, 1878; a daughter, named Pansie - an exceedingly sweet and beautiful child - was born May 10, 1882, and died March 26, 1883. Mr. Roben is a member of the Masonic fraternity. |