RILEY ROBERTSON, who built the apartment house, was quite the entrepreneur. Born in Galena, Kansas in 1851, he was the eldest of nine children. When Riley was 13 years old, his father died, leaving the young boy to be the family breadwinner. He first worked as a blacksmith, and, at the age of 19, moved to Joplin and bought a saloon. Although he never smoked or drank, he bought other saloons, including the House of Lords. He reputedly carried a six-shooter to keep his rowdy customers in line. Robertson dabbled in lead mining and smelting and also owned a broom factory. He operated Old Rock Whiskey Distilling Company. Family descendants claim that Robertson sold his secret recipe to the Seagram Company, which used the formula to produce Seagram's Seven. Riley lived to age of 93 - a testament to his abstention from tobacco and spirits.
RILEY ROBERTSON, who built the apartment house, was quite the entrepreneur. Born in Galena, Kansas in 1851, he was the eldest of nine children. When Riley was 13 years old, his father died, leaving the young boy to be the family breadwinner. He first worked as a blacksmith, and, at the age of 19, moved to Joplin and bought a saloon. Although he never smoked or drank, he bought other saloons, including the House of Lords. He reputedly carried a six-shooter to keep his rowdy customers in line. Robertson dabbled in lead mining and smelting and also owned a broom factory. He operated Old Rock Whiskey Distilling Company. Family descendants claim that Robertson sold his secret recipe to the Seagram Company, which used the formula to produce Seagram's Seven. Riley lived to age of 93 - a testament to his abstention from tobacco and spirits.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
