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JAMES D. ROBINSON. The result of energy and perseverance are nowhere better illustrated than in the career of Mr. Robinson, who began life with only the ability with which nature had endowed him, and is at the present time a well known and highly respected citizen of Mt. Vernon Township, Jefferson County. He has a good estate, located on section 7, where besides raising the various cereals he devotes considerable of his time and attention to fruit-growing. Our subject was born in Gibson County, Ind., in 1825, and there grew to manhood. The pioneer school which he attended during his early years was held in a log house, with puncheon floor and slab benches, and was heated by a fireplace whicli occupied nearly the whole end of the building. Mr. Robinson left home in 1847 and went to Adams County, Miss., where he remained eight years, engaged in floating logs down the Father of Waters to New Orleans. In 1856 Mr. Robinson returned north, this time locating in Jefferson County, ILL., where he purchased a farm of forty acres, which is still in his possession. That year he was married to Mrs. William Casey, daughter of J. Y. Shelton. Their union resulted in the birth of two children: Mary Ellen, now the wife of William T. Ward; and Francis N., who married Miss Eva Haney. After the death of Mrs. Robinson, our subject was again married, the lady on this occasion being Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Tillman Sherley. The latter came to this state from Kentucky in 1817, at which time he located with his parents in Hamilton County, where he grew to man's estate. Later he came to this county, where he reared his family of five children, of whom Mrs. Robinson is the youngest. Isham and Tabitha D. (Ingram) Robinson, the parents of our subject, were natives of one of the Carolinas. Their family consisted of the following children, who grew to mature years:
Grandfather Abraham Robinson was an old Revolutionary soldier, and removed to St. Clair County, this state, about 1816, where his decease occurred. The first of the Robinsons to locate in America came from England, and from the earliest history of the family they have all been members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Our subject operates one hundred and four acres of land, which he has placed under cultivation, and lias greatly increased its value by many fine improvements. He has paid great attention to breeding good grades of stock, besides raising great quantities of wheat and corn on his place. Mrs. Robinson is a member of the Baptist Church in Moore's Prairie, and by her influence is enabled to be of great benefit to all religious and worthy causes. Politically Mr. Robinson is a Democrat, and has been connected with that party for the past forty years. Socially he is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is highly regarded, both socially and as a man of honorable business traits. He has taken an active interest in the free school system of the county, and for a quarter of a century served as Town Trustee. He was also County Coroner for two years, and as one of the self-made citizens of Jefferson County we are pleased to present this sketch of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson are performing the part of parents to a little boy whom they call William, and whom they took into their home in 1885, when a lad of only four years.
"Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton,
Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois" |
For corrections or additions, please contact me: Sandy Bauer