Martha Rowan Robinson 1843-1926

ROBINSON, ROWAN, BRADLEY

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 12/4/2010 at 23:58:04

Good Woman Passed Away Last Saturday
Mrs. John M. Robinson Died After Two Weeks’ Illness
A Good Woman Has Gone
An Old Time Resident of Emmet County and Loved by All – Funeral Held Yesterday

Martha Rowan Robinson was born at Montreal, Canada, March 14, 1843. She was the oldest child of a family of seven children born to William and Catherine Rowan, all of whom one brother and one sister survive her. During her youth her parents moved to Waterbury, Conn., where was located a Shaker school which she attended for some time. Later they returned to Canada and settled at Windsor Mills. Here she continued her education for a while. On November 4, 1863, she was married to John M. Robinson. Their acquaintance dated from their early childhood, and in later years Mr. Robinson remarked that he clearly remembered rocking her in her cradle, as they were near neighbors. They settled at once in a home at Windsor Mills where they continued for two years. In 1865 they moved to Iowa and settled at Rowan, which town was named after her uncle on whose place the town site was located. After a residence of thirteen years they moved to a farm near Clear Lake, Iowa. In the fall of 1886, they came to Estherville and settled about four miles southeast of town. Eight years later they moved into town where for thirty-two years have made their home. Their family consisted of six children: Mrs. Eva C. Bradley, Estherville; William J. and Ira Thomas, California; Irwin J. and Frederick, Estherville; Edward J., who died but a short time after his father passed away in 1913. Mrs. Robinson was from a long lived, sturdy stock from Ireland. She had a strong constitution and looked well after her family and home. While her strength permitted she was active in the work of the church with which she united in her early youth. She was accustomed to carry large responsibilities in the Ladies’ Aid and other activities. She was a worthy friend to all her acquaintance which was large. About seven years ago she suffered a stroke from which she recovered quite largely. During her later years she lived quietly either in her own home or with her children, with whom she had large welcome and who counted her presence blessed. She bore the infirmities of advancing years with equable mind and a strong heart. Her outlook was toward the future and her passing was as she would desire. She was about her home as usual when on last Tuesday morning she became apprehensive of something impending and retired to bed. She succumbed to a stroke from which she passed away Saturday, July 3rd, aged 83, “full of years and of honors.” The funeral services were held in the Methodist church on Tuesday afternoon. Interment took place in the Oak Hill Cemetery. Rev. R. T. Chipperfield preached the funeral sermon. The pall bearers were George H. Robb, Roy Burt, Chas. A. Dayton, James Rainey, C. W. Ditch and Authon Story.

The editor of the Democrat had known Mrs. Robinson long and well. Forty years ago the Robinson family and the Carpenter family lived in log houses about one-half mile apart, four miles southeast of Estherville. The Carpenter family came three years before the Robinson family came and the two families immediately became intimate friends. It was a pleasure for anyone to visit the Robinson home and it was also a pleasure at the Carpenter home when the Robinsons came over. Our mother and Mrs. Robinson were two of the finest women that ever lived in this community. They were inseparably in love and friendship. After both families had moved to Estherville they became closer associated and visited the homes oftener and many a pleasant time was spent at noon-day dinners. Kind hearted and generous they were both ideal mothers. Your mother is the best friend you have in the world. You can confide in her and the advice she gives is the truth and from the depth of her heart. Three of us at the table we sat and listened to the good ladies talk of current events and always had pleasant words for their neighbors and friends. The Robinson family are going to miss their mother the same as we missed ours when she passed away nine years ago. We know they will meet in heaven. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, July 7, 1926)