Robert Inkster was born about 1828, in Shetland, the son of a seaman. He had resided for short periods of his life in New York, Ohio, and Illinois, however, found his best opportunity for success was in Michigan. He came here in the early 1850's, and by March of 1855 had purchased a saw mill for $500 and contracted to produce fuel and ties for the Michigan Central RailRoad.
In the summer of 1856, while traveling from Detroit, to the mill site, an accident occured on the Michigan Central RailRoad, caused by a faulty piece of track. Several people were thrown from the cars and killed outright, and Robert Inkster had been thrown from the engine, to the top of the smoke stack. Workers later clearing the bodies, moved Inkster to a row of corpses, assuming he was dead. Moments later, Charles H. White, Superintendent of Repairs for the railroad, noticed a movement in one of the bodies and ordered his immediate removal to a nearby farm house. White called daily on the man, and when he was partially recovered, he invited him to spend the rest of his recouperation at his home. It was here, that Inkster met Cordelia Helen White, who took care of him until he was fully recovered.
On December 31, 1856, Robert married Cordelia, in her home in Calhoun County, Michigan. The wedding ceremony was performed by Rev. George Willard of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Battle Creek, Michigan.
Inkster's mill was very prosperous and busy, as in a letter dated January 5, 1857, he wrote to his sister and apologized in the opening statement for not answering her previous 3 letters, and went on to say, "I have been busy from early morning til late at night. I have not had time to write you. In fact, I hardly get time in the last day of the old year to go out to Calhoun County to get married. But I did."
A year after his marriage, a post office was established close by the Inkster Red Saw Mill and was given the name of Moulin Rouge. Six years later on July 11, 1863, the post office was renamed, Inkster, and appointment of Postmaster of Inkster was given to Inkster February 9, 1866. He served as Postmaster for 2 years.
In addition to operating his saw mill, there are records of his buying and selling property in Ohio, Illinois, Nebraska, and Montana. He was also listed in the Inkster City Directory as a Real Estate businessman. He conducted business in the immediate area, as well as owning property in Highland Park and Detroit.
Inkster, taught adult Bible classes in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in appreciation for his leadership, the group presented him with a fine leather-bound Family Bible, in March of 1875. (last known to be in the possession of descendant, John Inkster)
At one time there was a Dry Goods store located on 97 Woodward Avenue in Detroit, named Robert Inksters - Dry Goods. This store was in operation in 1869 and 1870.
Seven children were born to Robert and Cordelia Inkster. Three of whom passed away in infancy and three lived beyond the age of 80 years. One of his daughters who lived in Los Angeles, CA was alive in 1964 at the age of 98.
After his mill was destroyed by a fire, Inkster moved his family to Kalamazoo, Michigan and lived at 220 Inkster Avenue. His property contained nearly 20 acres of land, and every species of tree that could be grown in Michigan.
Only one son of Robert and Cordelia carried on the Inkster family name. John R. Inkster, who died in 1955 at the age of 93. His oldest son, carried the given name, Robert and was last living in Buffalo, Wyoming. John's second son, George Lucas Inkster died in 1927.
Robert Inkster, died in Kalamazoo, Michigan on September 17, 1914 at the age of 86 years. His wife preceeded him in death by 17 years. View Obituary
The history of the name Inkster, as compiled from The Surnames of Scotland by Geroge Fraser Black; New York; 1946 as follows:
"Inskter, Inghster: These names appear in Orkney and Shetland, and are corruptions of Ingsgar. William Inkseter, tacksman of Skelbustir and Huchown Inksettir, tacksman of Gryndale, are in record in 1492."
A Librarian of Lerwick, Shetland, by the name of George W. Longmuir, opinionated the name as follows:
"I feel certain that the original name was Ingasetter and not Ingsgar, as suggested. Here in Shetland where the Place-names are almost 100% in origin, we have many localities named 'Setter' or ending in 'Ster' which is a shortened form of the old Norse 'Setr', signifying a summer-pasture, and is still so applied in Norway to a Pasturing-Place in the mountains. Inkster or as it was originally, Ingasetter means simply, the pasture belonging to Inga, which was and still is a common Christian name in Scandinavia."
These are two differing opinions as to the origin of the name, Inkster, which if either are correct, I personally, do not know. This would best be searched by anyone wishing to follow the Inkster family genealogy.
