Robinson, Ralph 1830-1911

ROBINSON, HAMILTON, CHAMBERS, EVANS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 2/26/2010 at 15:26:17

Ralph Robinson Dead

Suddenly passes from Earth to Reward Well Earned

Seldom, if ever, has the death of any man in Newton caused so profound an impression throughout the city and county is that of Mr. Robinson, which came so suddenly and without a note of warning while conversing with his wife at their home on North Farmer Street, about 7:30 o’clock last Friday evening, July 21st.

Some friends had spent an hour with him and Mrs. Robinson in a social visit on the veranda and had just left, when Mr. Robinson, who had been unusually cheerful throughout the evening, suddenly complained of a severe pain about the heart and walked into the house where remedies were give to him. But the pain increased and the family physician was summoned, and on his arrival Mr. Robinson coolly inquired, “Doctor, do you think I am going to die not?” The reply “I hope not,” was given, but before the physician could do anything for him, the pulse-beats had ceased, and Ralph Robinson had passed away as peacefully and painlessly as a tired child falling to sleep.

Mr. Robinson was nearly 81 years of age, and his active busy life, with scarcely a single rest day in it, began to tell on him several years ago, and the strong constitution showed signs of breaking from the over-pressure. Yet he refused to yield even to the admonition of his own best judgment until about one year ago, when he sold out the business to which he had given 34 of the best years of his life, and decided to retire from all active work and spend the sunset days of his life in the rest and comfort of his happy home with the faithful wife who had shared with him whatever of success he had attained.

But the rest came too late. For over a year he has been gradually failing, although most of the time able to be about his home and frequently able to walk down town and greet his friends as of old. The day of his death he took a walk of several blocks, and seemed really stronger and better than for some time, little dreaming that the silver cord was so soon to be snapped.

We will not attempt any eulogy of this good man. This community has known him, as we have, for the past 34 years. His life during that time has been as an open book-we are all familiar with it. He came here in 1877 from Clarinda, and purchased a half-interest in the Journal of Mr. J. R. Sage, who had a few months before purchased the Headlight of F. T. Campbell and Tm. M. Rodgers, and the Free Press of W. S. Benham (all now deceased except the writer) consolidating the two under the new name. After a few months Mr. Robinson bought the Sage interest, and since then, until the 1st of July last year he was its proprietor, and it had become a part of his very life. We were with him for several years, and know as well as anyone in the community his real worth as a man and a friend. The paper became a part of this very being. The purity of its tone ad its clean, outspoken and fair dealing manner of discussing all subjects of public interest were but a reflex of the soul of Ralph Robinson. He was a friend to everybody, and tried to win everybody to be his friend. If the good words spoken of him, by young and old, since his death could reach his ear in the world beyond, Ralph Robinson would realize that his life was not in vain.

Mr. Robinson was born in Washington County, Pa., Sept. 11, 1830, and was therefore nearly 81 years of age at the time of his death, and was the last of a family of four boys and four girls. He was married in Bucyrus, Ohio, July 27, 1864 to Miss Fannie J. Hamilton, who with four children survives him: Margaret, wife of Rev. R. F. Chambers, pastor of the Presbyterian church of Jackson, Minn.; Roy Robinson of Walsenbery, Col.; S. M. Robinson of Newton; and Daisee, wife of Mark Evans of Des Moines, all of whom with their families excepting Mrs. Roby Robinson were here to attend the funeral of their father.

Mr. Robinson’s love and devotion for his wife and children were marked traits in his character, and home to him always meant the dearest spot on earth.

As the grandchildren came, they too, found the tenderest spot in his great heart of love, and his affection for them almost amounted to worship.

Mr. Robinson had been a Mason for over 50 years, and was also a member of the I. O. O. F. Although not a member of any church, he was a firm believer in the fundamental doctrines of Christianity, and always agave freely and liberally for the support of the gospel and all good causes for the betterment of mankind. Who could say that he did not hold a “title clear to a mansion in the sky?”

Funeral services were held at the home on Monday afternoon, conducted by his son-in-law, Rev. R. F. Chambers. Hon. Lafe Young of the Des Moines Capital, a long-time friend, paid a beautiful tribute to the character and life work of Mr. Robinson. The Masonic ritual work was given by O. N. Wagley. Favorite hymns were sung by Messrs. F. E. Meredith, Frank Boydston, W. P. Watters and F. L. Boyden. The pall bearers were from among the old friends of Mr. Robinson: Messrs. W. O. McElroy, Eugene Bean, Geo. T. Anderson, A. H. Howard, E. J. H. Beard and T. M. Rodgers. After the services, with the Masonic brethren as an escort all that was mortal of the good man was taken to the Newton Cemetery and laid to rest, beneath the wealth of beautiful flowers that had come as a loving tribute from a host of friends.

Two nephews of Mr. Robinson-Waldo M. Bowman of Toledo, Ohio, and L. S. Robinson of Glenwood, Iowa, the latter accompanied by his son Lewis, were here for the funeral; also J. R. Sage of Des Moines, who was Mr. Robinson’s partner in the Journal office when he first came to Newton in 1877. ~ Newspaper unknown.