Mr. Ralph Robinson 1830-1911

ROBINSON, BOYDEN EVANS, CHAMBERS, SPRINGER

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:31

Evening Times-Republican, Saturday, Jul 22, 1911, Marshalltown, IA, Page: 2

OLD IOWA EDITOR DIES

RALPH ROBINSON, PIONEER
NEWSPAPER MAN, PASSES
AWAY AT NEWTON

MEMBER OF PROFESSION
FOR SIXTY-NINE YEARS

Was a Member of the First Typographical
Union and Gave David R. Locke, Author
of Famous “Nasby Letters,” Early
Lessons–Editor of Newton Journal Many Years

Newton, July 27-Ralph Robinson, aged 81, oldest newspaper man in years of service in Iowa, and for many years editor of the Newton Journal, died suddenly at his home here at 8:00 o’clock last night. Death was due to the infirmities of old age. For some months Mr. Robinson has not been in the best health, but his condition was not considered serious. He was taken ill about 7:30 o’clock and died within a half hour. He is survived by Mrs. Robinson and two sons and two daughters-Roy of Chicago, Thomas M. of this city, who was associated with him in newspaper work here for many years, Mrs. Margaret Chambers of this city and Mrs. Mark Evans of Des Moines.

For thirty five years Mr. Robinson was editor and proprietor of the Newton Journal, withdrawing one year ago due to ill health and selling the paper to F. L. Boyden, editor of the Newton News. In his capacity as editor of the Journal, Mr. Robinson became widely known in the state.

A life story of Mr. Robinson is linked closely with the advance with printing and journalism in the United States from the days of the hand set type and man powered presses to the present time of machine made type and power propelled presses. He was born in Washington, Pa., Sept. 11, 1830 and at the age of 11 years began his work as a printer, being employed by Rev. Cornelius Springer, who then was editor of the Western Recorder, a Methodist paper.

After working with Rev. Mr. Springer for a short time he went to Zanesville, and later to Wheeling. Then he went to Pittsburgh, where as foreman of the Chronicle, he taught the primary lessons of the trade to David R. Locke, author of the famous “Nasby Letters,” and for many years editor of the Toledo Blade.

Mr. Robinson also had the distinction of being a member of the first Typographical Union formed in the United States.

In order better to fit himself for a journalistic career, Mr. Robinson attended college for several years and soon afterward began editorial work. He was located at various parts in Ohio and Illinois for some time, but at the beginning of the Civil War was in Ohio where he organized two companies

Although he desired to greatly to take a more militant part in the war, he was deterred from so doing by the governor of Ohio, who urged him to continue his work of organization in his vicinity, and the fight for the Union through the columns of the newspaper. Just prior to and during the war he became known as a prominent member of the crew of the underground railway and is said to have aided many slaves to reach Canada.

Mr. Robinson came to Iowa soon after the closing of the war and making his home at Newton. Besides being widely known because of his editorial work he was a prominent member of the Odd Fellows and Masonic orders.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.