McDonough ILGenWeb

BLYTHE, Robert Frank, well-known as the proprietor of a department store in Bardolph, McDonough County, Ill., was born near Norwich, England, February 21, 1870, the son of William and Mary (Starry) Blythe, also natives of England. His parents came to the United States, and located near Macomb, Ill., in 1872, the father there engaging in agricultural pursuits. Robert F. Blythe, who is the fourth of nine children born to his parents, was reared on his father's farm in Walnut Grove Township where he remained until he was twenty-two years old. During this period he received his early education in the public schools. He continued on the home farm for two years after his marriage, and then moved to Macomb, where he lived until the spring of 1899. At that period he took up his residence in Bardolph, and on August 29th of that year went into the grocery business. A year later he put in a stock of shoes and dry goods, and in the fall of 1904 established a department store. He occupies two stores and conducts the largest establishment in town, handling a full line of groceries and canned goods, boots, shoes and rubbers, dry goods, hardware, patent medicines, etc.

On December 31, 1891, Mr. Blythe was married to Frances Lillian Chrisenger, who was born and received her education in Macomb. Two children have blessed their union: Vivian Ulmont, born December 21, 1892; and Lillian Juanita, born July 21, 1894. In his religious belief, Mr. Blythe is a Presbyterian, and politically is a pronounced Republican. He was appointed Postmaster of Bardolph February 21, 1901, and re-appointed in February, 1905. He is considered a very capable business man, and an efficient Postmaster. Fraternally, the subject of this sketch is identified with the A. F. & A. M., Macomb Lodge No. 17, Morse Chapter No. 19. Macomb Commandery No. 61, and is also affiliated with the I. O. O. F. and M. W. A.

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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of McDonough County, compiled by Dr. Newton Bateman, and Paul Shelby, 1907, volume 2, page 830, extracted 19 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass.