Robison, Truman 1834 – 1906

ROBISON, KENYON, ELTING, BENNET, FALLGATTER

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/15/2019 at 20:04:52

Source: Twice-A-Week Plain Dealer Mar. 27, 1906, LP, C4,5

TRUMAN ROBISON DEAD.
A Pioneer Resident Answers the Final Summons.
This community was shocked Tuesday morning by the news that Truman Robison had been stricken with sudden death. While he had been in poor health the greater part of the winter no one dreamed the end was so near. Even last Saturday he was down town visiting and joking as was his wont. All night Monday he was troubled with sharp pains in the region of the heart. He arose early Tuesday morning and dressing himself prepared for breakfast, but not feeling hungry decided to go without, and returning to his room laid down on the bed. His wife spoke to him about eating something and receiving a negative answer went out to her breakfast. His son Charles went in to see him and was talking about ‘phoning to the doctor. Stepping out of the room for a moment, he heard his father fall to the floor and on re-entering found him dead.
Truman Robison was born January 10, 1834, near Lake George, in the county of Warren, New York state. January 2, 1853 he married Miss Susan R. Kenyon, of Warren County, New York. In 1856, they emigrated to Wisconsin. The next year started West again arriving at Lake Albert Lea, territory Minnesota, the 3rd day of July 1857. Albert Lea then consisted of a log store and a small hotel and three or four residences. The year following, 1859, they came back as far as Howard county and landed in the little town of Howard on the first day of June. Mr. Robison went into the hotel business and did a thriving trade by reason of the overland freighting done with teams and wagons. He continued in the hotel business for a period of two years and then commenced farming. He continued I this occupation as a renter until 1865, when he purchased the farm of forty acres a portion of which was later known as the Burgess property. In those days there were 13 votes cast in Howard Twp. By means of a postoffice resignation the name Howard was changed to Busti in about the year 1866. 14 miles was the nearest dwelling on the road to McGregor. All the land which is now covered by the town of Elma was a blank unbroken prairie. The settlers at that time consisted of L. Potter, G. Ostrander, James Hall, Hugh Coogan, Frank Pooler, Peter Clare, Jos. Carter, Patrick McGrane, John Kildee, John Madden, Wm. Burke, W. S. Pettibone and Robert Lockie.
In the year 1885, a railroad was graded from Independence to Riceville, the grade passing just west of the town of Elma, near the creek. This was so uncertain a scheme that real estate did not raise in price to any extent. In the year following the Minnesota & Northwestern was graded and track laid from Hayfield to Dubuque and the right of way passed through one 40 of Mr. Robison’s land. Then the real estate boom commenced in earnest and lasted for a year when it subsided somewhat. The land east of Busti Avenue belonged to Mr. Robison, a tract consisting of 36 acres, half of which he deeded to the Minnesota Loan & Debenture Co. This was a venture that proved somewhat remunerative to Mr. Robison and what with his town lots and his large farm of 400 acres put him in a way to retire from active life.
Mr. Robison was elected county supervisor in 1867 and served three years. When the town of Elma assumed proper proportions it was incorporated and Mr. Robison was elected to serve three years on the board of councilmen. He resigned at the end of the first year and was elected mayor. In 1900 he was again elected a member of the council for three years.
Deceased was one of a family of eight, having three brothers and four sisters. Two brothers, Charles and Samuel, are living in New York state. One sister, Mrs. Isiah Elting, lived in Carthage, Mo., another, Mrs. Eliza Bennet, lived in New York. Mr. Robison’s mother, Mrs. Jane Robison, who has reached the age of 93, is living with her son Charles in New York. Mr. and Mrs. Truman Robison were the parents of three children, Mrs. A. W. Fallgatter, of Parker, S. D., John G., deceased, and Charles S., of Elma.
Mr. Robison was a man of sturdy, honest character, and one not afraid to express his views, which were always original and worthy of attention. As a neighbor and a citizen he stood in the front rank honored and respected by all who knew him. The funeral was held from his late residence, Thursday afternoon, Rev. F. E. Cain of the Congregational church conducting the services. Interment was in the local cemetery.—Elma New Era.

Howard Cemetery
 

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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