The Robinson Families of Johnson County, Iowa

JAMES ROBINSON. Was born in Durham, Connecticut, November 4, 1791; died in Worcester, Massachusetts, January 13, 1881, aged eighty-nine years, two months and nine days. The deceased was the father of Mr. James T. Robinson, of West Lucas. He came to Iowa City in 1841, was our most prominent early leader of the Masonic order and we believe organized here the first lodge. He was the first mayor of Iowa City, under a municipal organization which was made before 1849, and was abandoned for the special charter. He returned east many years ago and reached a great age. Always an active and prominent and wise citizen, a trusted counselor and man of stout judgment, he was a leader in any community and retained these faculties to the end.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES T. ROBINSON, the present efficient deputy auditor of Johnson county; was born February 15, 1822, in the Bowery, in New York city. His father kept a leather store in that city and came to Johnson county in April, 1840, and was the first mayor of Iowa City under the first city organization, which for some cause was abandoned after two years. His father kept a dry goods and grocery store where O'Hanlan & Son have their shoe store, and Weber's blacksmith shop was the warehouse. He died in January, 1880. Mr. Robinson was married October 5, 1842, to Miss Emily T. Custer. They have twelve children, eight are living: Alice C, wife of Clark Miller, in Maudan, Dakota; Mary P., Martha S., wife of Oilman Fletcher; Lizzie D., wife of Scott Dindly, of Humbolt, Iowa; Ella, Fannie E., wife of Henry Graham, of Cedar Rapids; J. Arthur, in Maudan, Dakota, and Susie E. His wife died May 2,1881; she made the first cheese made in Johnson county; she was born February 26, 1818,in Herkimer county. New York. Mr. R. has filled the office of deputy auditor for seven years, and one year deputy recorder.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

LEVI ROBINSON, attorney at law Iowa City; was born March 13, 1827, in Kennebec county, Maine; graduated from Dartmouth College in 1855; was admitted to practice law at Albany, New York, and settled in Iowa City May 23, 1855. He was prosecuting attorney in 1856, and deputy revenue collector from 1864 to 1868. The law firm of which he is the senior partner, Robinson & Patterson, is the oldest law firm in the state of Iowa. Mr. Robinson is a republican in politics. He has always taken an active interest in public affairs. He is part owner with Mr. Solomon Coldren in the oat-meal mill situated at Coralville in west Lucas township, Johnson county, an enterprise that has proven quite a success.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JAMES ROBINSON, farmer, post-office, Lone Tree; was born in Scotland, November 20, 1829, where he spent his early life, and got a good common school education. He came to America in 1849, and lived in New York for a number of years, in Broome county. August 20, 1862, he enlisted in company I, Seventh Rhode Island volunteer infantry, and served to the end of the war; was wounded at Fredricksburg, Virginia, the first battle he was in, being shot in the side of the face, the ball going in at the cheek, and knocking out two teeth, he spitting out the bullet. After the war he returned to New York and emigrated to Iowa in the fall of 1865, and settled in Muscatine county, where he lived until 1870, when he came to Johnson county, and now owns 200 acres of finely improved land, and has a pleasant home, and pays considerable attention to raising stock, now having a small herd of pure bred Short-horns. He was married May 15, 1859, to Miss Emily Jayne, a native of Wayne county, Pennsylvania. They have six children, viz.: Mary R., Elsie K., Linda M., Emma C, Nellie, Belle, and Jessie E. Mr. Robinson and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HIRAM A. ROBINSON, pharmacist, post-oflSce, Oxford; was born in Peoria county, Illinois, September 22, 1849, where he spent his early life. He attended school in Brimfield, Peoria county, until his seventeenth year; he then commenced to learn the druggist profession with his father, and took charge of his father's business, and since then he has been engaged in the druggist trade. In June, 1879, he came to Oxford and opened a new stock of drugs at his present stand, and is doing a prosperous business. He was married September 30, 1872, to Miss Lizzie Martyn, a native of Indiana. They have been blessed with two children: Claudius L. and Alta A. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and an elder therein. Mrs. Robinson is a daughter of Rev. John D. Marty'n, one of the pioneer ministers of Indiana, and a cousin of Wm. Martyn, missionary to China.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.