Little is known about Robert. The 1870 federal census of Muscatine Co., Wilton Junction IA taken June 25th, lists Robert's age as 49, which would place his birth as either 1820 or 1821 [and born in PA]. At the time of his death in Wilton Junction, his age was listed on his death record as 66, which would place his birth as either 1819 or 1820. The McCartney family bible recorded Robert's birth as 1819.

Robert married Sarah A. Bailey July 27, 1863 in Muscatine Co. The ceremony was performed by C.P. Reynolds (M.G.). Robert was 42 and his wife Sarah 27. Robert and Sarah's three children were Clara born 1865 in IA; Jacob born 1867 in IA; and Charley born 1870 in IA. 

At the time of the 1870 census Robert was residing in Wilton with his wife and children. In this census Robert was depicted as, "a day laborer who could not write". This coincides with an article written about Robert's famous brother Daniel, which briefly describes brothers Daniel and Robert as "legally blind". In all liklihood, this condition was probably genetically inherited by both. In his later years (1880) Robert resided with his nephew Paden (his brother Jacob R.'s son) and in 1885 with his nephew Thomas B. Duncan (his sister Ann's son). This implies Robert's wife Sarah died between 1870 and 1880. Robert is buried with brother Isaac R. in Oakdale Cemetery and has no headstone. At the time of his death Robert was a widower and died of organic disease of the liver [death certificate]. I have no additional information on what happened to his wife Sarah, their three children or where they are buried.