Robinson, Moses H.

MOORE, WRIGHT, CLARK, COFFLE, PAULSEN

Posted By: BCGS
Date: 12/11/2009 at 17:43:42

One cannot carry investigation far into the history of Bremer county without learning of the honorable and useful part which Moses H. Robinson bore in promoting advancement and growth in pioneer times. For many years following his honorable discharge from service in the Civil war he operated a farm seven miles north-east of Waverly, eventually winning a comfortable competence, upon which he is now able to live in retirement. He was born in the province of Quebec, Canada, May 17, 1834, and is a son of William and Katherine (Moore) Robinson, both natives of Ireland, of Scotch ancestry. The parents emigrated to Canada in 1832 and there the father engaged in farming and worked at his trade as a linen weaver by night. Both passed away in Quebec, the father dying in 1845 and the mother April 12, 1861.

Moses H. Robinson acquired his education in Quebec, but his advantages along this line were limited, as the bears and wolves were so thick in the province at that time that it was dangerous to attempt passage through the woods in order to reach the schoolhouse. He remained in Canada until he was twenty years of age and then moved to New York, where for a time he worked as a teamster. In May, 1855, he settled in Illinois, near Sycamore and after about six years, moved to Buchanan county, Iowa. After some time he returned to Sycamore, where he worked in a brickyard until 1861, when he came again to Iowa, settling in Independence, where from April until June he operated a brickyard. In the latter month he enlisted in Company E, Fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and after serving three years as a private reenlisted in Company L., Fifth Iowa Cavalry, serving as corporal until the close of the war. He was left for dead on the battlefield at Pulaski but made his escape and eventually recovered. He received his honorable discharge August 15, 1865, and came to Bremer county, where he purchased land seven miles northeast of Waverly. From the fall of 1865 until 1903 he made his home upon this property, steadily carrying forward the work of its improvement and development. He was the first farmer to raise strawberries in this vicinity and he contributed in many other ways to agricultural progress, following always the most practical methods in the conduct of his property and meeting with gratifying and well deserved success. Disposing of his farm in 1903, Mr. Robinson moved to Waverly and has since lived in retirement in the city, enjoying the rest and leisure which he earned through many years of earnest endeavor.

On the 10th of July, 1861, Mr. Robinson married Miss Sarah J. Wright, who was born in New York state, March 20, 1838, a daughter of William and Ann (Clark) Wright. The parents moved to Elgin, Illinois, at an early date and later made their home in Fairbank, Iowa, where both passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson became the parents of seven children, three of whom survive; May, the wife of D.J. Wright, a farmer in Butler county; Eveline, who married M.A. Coffle, a farmer in Bremer county; and Pearl, the wife of Albert Paulsen, a farmer in Butler county. Mrs. Robinson passed away May 10, 1910.

Mr. Robinson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He has never sought public office but during the long years of his residence in Bremer county has taken an active and intelligent interest in public affairs, cooperating heartily in all measures and projects for community advancement and reform. By his upright, honorable and worthy life he has won a place among the representative citizens of the county and he commands and holds the confidence and regard of the entire community.

History of Bremer County, Iowa Vol. II 1914