ROBERT RAE, M.D, a highly es teemed physician and prominent citizen in Portageville, N. Y., was born in Scotland on December 10, 1835.
His father, Thomas Rae, was a native of that country, as was also his grandfather, who bore the same name as Thomas and followed farming, cultivating the soil, and providing in this way for a large family of children. Thomas, Jr., was the second son of his parents and was brought up to his father’s occupation, remaining at home in his early years while he attended the parish school and learned methods of farm work. In 1852 he journeyed to Canada and was employed for several years as a contractor on the railroad be tween Montreal and Ottawa as one of the firm of Sykes, Deberg & Co.
After closing his engagement there, he returned to Scotland and lived in retirement until 1861, in which year he again set sail for this country and on his arrival, came to Portageville, where he spent the rest of his life, his age being fifty six at the time of his decease. The wife of Thomas Rae was, before her marriage Miss Mina Grey. She was a native of Scotland and the only one of a family of three children who came over to this country. Her father was a native of Scotland and never left the land of his birth. The children of Thomas and Mina Rae were nine, four of whom are still living-Robert; Mary, married to the Rev. Dr. Allison, a missionary in Africa; Jane, Mrs. Price, of Michigan; and Anna, not married, living in Michigan. Mrs. Rae lived to the age of fifty-two. She was a member of the Presbyterian church and spent her last days with her son in Portageville.
Robert Rae lived in Dumfriesshire, Scot land, till he was twenty years of age, in boy hood attending the parish school, and later the school known as Wallace Hall. He began his professional studies at the Edinburgh Medical College and continued them at the University of Medicine in New York City, which he entered in 1858. After graduation, he en gaged at once in the active practice of his profession. Shortly after the beginning of the war, in 1862, he enlisted in the First New York Regiment of Dragoons; and during the campaign, he was promoted to the office of Major. On June 11, 1864, he was made pris oner at Trevilian, Va., and was held for some time in confinement in various places, spend ing seven months in the prison at Charleston, S. C. His term of service ended in July 1865. In all the chief engagements, his regiment was prominent and stood high in the estimation of the Military Department at Washington for courage and discipline.
At the close of the war, Dr. Rae resumed the practice of his profession, coming to this neighborhood and establishing himself with success, and rising to the office of President of the Medical Association, being also a member of the County Association, besides which he has held many minor offices in the county. Dr. Rae married Miss Jane Porteous Herkness, a daughter of James Herkness, a merchant of Canada. Mrs. Rae was born in Scotland. Her father was a native of Canada. Dr. and Mrs. Rae have one child, Mary L. Rae. In politics, the Doctor is a Republican. He has been County Coroner, Pension Surgeon, and Examiner, holding these offices for several years; and as a man of ability and distinction in his profession and as an upright and loyal citizen, Dr. Rae is a valuable member of the community in which he lives
