ROBINSON, John H.

ROBINSON, ZEARING, WOODMANSEE, KENARD

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 2/13/2014 at 01:39:48

History of Decatur County Iowa and Its People
Illustrated, Volumne II.

Prof. J. M. Howell and Heman C. Smith
Supervising Editors

The S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. Pp. 271-72. Chicago. 1915.

JOHN H. ROBINSON

J. H. ROBINSON, who, with his son, owns an excellent drug store in Davis City, was born in Dover, Illinois on the 30th of March, 1846, a son of Dr. William and Sarah (Zearing) Robinson, natives of Pennsylvania. The father became a resident of Illinois in an early day in the history of that state and there began the practice of medicine, having prepared for the work of a physician by study in Findlay, Ohio. He continued to reside in Illinois during the remainder of his life and gained a large and representative practice. He passed away in 1890, but was survived by his widow until 1903.

J. H. Robinson was reared in Dover, Illinois, and after completing the course offered in the public schools there attended Jennings Seminary at Aurora, that state. Subsequently he read medicine with his father for some time and then took up the study of pharmacy and in partnership with his father opened a drug store at Dover, Illinois, with which he was connected until 1877. In that year he went to Princeton, Illinois, and in 1879 he arrived in Davis City, Decatur county. He opened a drug store here, which he has operated continuously since and which is the only establishment of its kind in the town. He has taken his son Claude W. into partnership and they not only have a good patronage in Davis City but also have many customers from the country around, as they have built up a reputation for a high quality of goods, reasonable prices and fair dealing.

In April, 1873, Mr. Robinson married Miss Martha J. Woodmansee, a daughter of Joseph and Delilah (Kanard) Woodmansee, natives of Ohio. Her father, who was a farmer and veterinary surgeon, went to the vicinity of Princeton, Illinois, many years ago and after following agricultural pursuits for some time removed to Princeton, where he engaged in the practice of his profession. After retiring from active life he took up his residence in Leon, this county, where he passed away in 1892. His wife survived for two years. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have four children, as follows. Claude W., who is a graduate of the College of Pharmacy of Northwestern University at Chicago, is his father's partner in the drug business; H. L., who is an alumnus of Highland Park College, is a dentist and is located in Des Moines, Iowa; W. J., a graduate of the Dental College of Northwestern University, is also practicing in Des Moines; R. H., who took his professional work in the Kansas City Dental College, is practicing in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Mr. Robinson is a democrat and has served conscientiously and ably as a member of the school board and as a member of the town council. Fraternally he belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and to the Rebekahs, and the beliefs which guide his life are those which are held by the Methodist Episcopal church. He is respected as a successful business man, esteemed as a public-spirited citizen and held in warm regard personally.

NOTE: John H. Robinson died in 1926 and was interred at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Davis City IA.

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2014