Reverend Robert James McIlwaine ("Bobby") was born March 16th, 1860 in the Marvin community of Union County, North Carolina. Educated at Hopewell Academy in Huntersville, NC and Union Theological Seminary at Richmond, VA, he was ordained in 1895 as a Presbyterian minister. After marrying Della Shields in 1898 he first served near Kings Mountain, NC. He later led churches in Florida and Alabama before returning to his native state and county in 1910.McIlwaine was an evangelist/missionary, planning and building new churches. He also served as a "supply" minister for area churches including Walkersville Presbyterian.
Faithful to his calling, he continued to preach and counsel after retiring in 1934, honing his gardening and well-known storytelling skills.
He first purchased the house at 204 Lancaster Avenue in Monroe, NC in 1925, making a home there with his wife and youngest son, Robert E. "Tug" McIlwaine. He is pictured here in his garden with Dahlias that matched his long frame. The photo was taken in October of 1936 by a fellow minister, Reverend Frederick Drane (1890-1982) who was the priest of nearby St. Paul's Episcopal Church for a number of years.
Aggravated by rheumatism in his later years, he fell at his home on December 13th, 1944. He died two days later at a Charlotte hospital.
He was buried at Banks Presbyterian Church cemetery in Marvin, almost in sight of his birthplace and childhood home. Wife Della died in 1957. Son Robert continued to live at the Lancaster Avenue property until about 1961. By 1962 the house had been sold and made into a duplex as it is today. This current photo of the house was taken in December 2007 which is now occupied by Alice Jules coffeehouse and the Pack Rat Antiques store.
Some sources used: Monroe, NC newspapers - Monroe Journal and Monroe Enquirer; Federal Census Research at Heritage Quest (on line); Miller's Monroe North Carolina City Directories; The photographic collection of Rev. Frederick Drane. (these and more available at the Union County Public Library, Monroe, NC)
