ROBINSON, Alonzo - 1914

ROBINSON, HARRISON, BERKENSHAW, PUSSNALL, ROBINSON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/6/2009 at 01:34:11

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

ALONZO ROBINSON.

The death of Alonzo Robinson, which occurred August 7, 1893, deprived Cherokee county of one of her early settlers, a man who since 1869 had been closely connected with agricultural interests of Willow township and who during the period of his activity had contributed in substantial measure to community growth and upbuilding. He was born in Ohio and was a son of Abel and Catherine Robinson, also natives of that state. The father was a farmer during the entire period of his active life, following that occupation in his native state for a number of years. He afterward moved to Pontiac, Livingston county, Illinois, where his death occurred.

Alonzo Robinson acquired his education in Illinois and when he began his independent career turned his attention to farming, an occupation which he followed during the remainder of his life. He came to Cherokee county in 1869 and took up a homestead of one hundred and sixty acres in Willow township. During the years which followed he steadily improved and developed this property, bringing it from a tract of raw land to a productive and valuable farm. He was a man of excellent business ability and sound judgment and soon became known as one of the leading agriculturists of this community. He remained active in the conduct of his homestead until his death, which occurred August 7, 1893.

On the 9th of February, 1865, Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Jane Charlotte Harrison, a daughter of William and Ellen (Berkenshaw) Harrison, of Clinton county, Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson became the parents of eleven children: George A., deceased; William A., of Nebraska; Joseph B., of Cherokee county; Mary, the widow of Jesse Pussnall, of British Columbia; Frank, of Willow township; Hattie, the widow of Fred Robinson; Grace and Minnie, deceased; Cleve, of Willow township; Charles, at home; and Walter, who has passed away. Mrs. Robinsons parents were natives of England and came to the United States about the year 1853, locating in Cherokee county, Iowa, where the father engaged in farming. About 1880 he moved to Willow township and thence to Cherokee, where he resided until he moved to Oregon, where his death occurred. Mrs. Robinson survives her husband and is well and favorably known in Washta.

Mr. Robinson gave his political allegiance to the democratic party and served as justice of the peace and school director. He was recognized as a substantial and representative citizen by those with whom he was long associated and as one who from early times was deeply interested in the material, mental and moral welfare of the community.