Last Page: Dan Robeson, 87
Retired Middlesex historian has deep family roots in Vine Valley
By Melody Burri
Q: Your family has deep roots in Middlesex, specifically Vine Valley.
A: My family has lived in the town of Middlesex since before the Civil War. My mom, Mary Sommers Robeson, was from Clifton Springs and my dad was from Vine Valley. My grandfather, Charles A. Robeson, bought the store in Vine Valley in 1898 and the Robeson family owned and operated it until 1984. I now live on the farm purchased by my great grandfather, F.A. Hixon, after the Civil War. I really appreciate the beauty of this area. My work with American Can Company took me away for many years, but when I retired 20 years ago, I knew where I wanted to live. I lost my loving wife nine years ago after 54 years of marriage. But I am blessed with six children — a college professor, a priest, a lawyer, a nurse, a bartender and a BOCES teacher. Best of all, I have 11 grand kids.
Q: You’ve been the Middlesex Town Historian since 2010 and have facilitated many upgrades. Highlight some of your favorite moments or accomplishments.
A: I was encouraged and supported by Ruth Clark, an outstanding person and the historian who preceded me. Hopefully I was able to host a friendly and comfortable environment. We have cookies and coffee Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and all are welcome. In 2014, we learned that the Greater Hudson Heritage Network had a conservation assessment program that evaluated history groups and made recommendations on how to improve their history recording processes. That led to improvements in our policies and procedures. We also applied to the Greater Hudson Heritage Network for grants to restore five historical hand-painted photographs of the one room school houses that later formed the Middlesex Valley School District. These were in storage for many years and over the course of nine years we were able to have them refurbished.
Q: Anything else?
A: After doing some research, we discovered that the Pomeroy Foundation would give historical plaques to local communities. The town eventually received five plaques for the Middlesex Methodist Church, the Middlesex train station, the Robeson store in Vine Valley, the Vine Valley Methodist Church and the Overackers Corners school. We also began entering our family history files into the Family Tree Maker software, which gave us better storage, organization and easier access to these files. I chaired the town’s Citizen Appreciation Day Committee and helped establish the Yates/Ontario Small Museum Association.
Q: What are some benefits of taking time to record and preserve local and family history?
A: Recording and preserving family history is not always easy, but there is a certain joy in being able to explain things to the next generation and grandchildren.
Q: What’s one personal core value/life goal that has helped shape the person you are today?
A: “For some reason I had fear as a young person. It was mostly a fear of failure and as a result I was very competitive. I worked hard in the business world and in athletics when I volunteered as an assistant football coach for Marcus Whitman. This was not always good, but, eventually, I received faith from a higher power.
Q: What are you enjoying most about being retired?
A: “People talk about being joyful and free. I’m not sure I’m quite there, but I no longer worry — especially about the future. I plan to continue volunteering in the town’s history room. And although I no longer have significant responsibilities, I look forward to a better life. In the meantime, I have everything I want or need and I thank God.