Thomas J. "Tom" ROBINSON

ROBINSON, JACKSON, NELSON, QUIETT, KNIGHT, LAMB, JOHNSTON

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 3/2/2009 at 23:15:56

The Mount Ayr Record-News, 1925

GOOD CITIZEN DIES SUDDENLY

Thomas J. ROBINSON Dies from Heart Failure Enroute from Bedford

This community was greatly shocked on Sunday evening when the news spread rapidly that Thomas J. ROBINSON had expired while returning from a motor trip to Bedford, heart failure being the immediate cause of his death.

For two years Mr. ROBINSON has been in rather poor health and was confined to his bed for several weeks during the winter two years ago. However, he gradually recovered with the advent of the balmy days of spring, and since then has kept busy with light labor about the home, and only on Saturday afternoon mowed the yard and did the usual chores. On Sunday morning he went to Bedford with his family to spend the day with Mrs. ROBINSON's sister, Mrs. W. M. JACKSON. Those in the party were Mrs. ROBINSON, his daughter Cora, son Glenn and wife and his grandchild, Mildred ROBINSON. Although perhaps not in his usual jovial frame of mind throughout the day he made no complaints about his health. When they were about seven miles this side of Bedford on Primary Road No. 3, Mr. ROBINSON became suddenly pale, and in another instant the spark of life had fled. Dr. McCOLM, of New Market, happened to be passing and noticing that something was wrong stopped to give assistance, but life was then extinct. He was born October 29, 1854, being 70 years, eight months and eight days old.

The death of Tom ROBINSON, as he was familiarly known by his friends, marks the passing of another one of the strong and sturdy characters of Ringgold county. He was a man of sterling worth, loyal and true to his friends, his word was as good as his bond, and his whole life was unselfishly devoted to his family and friends. He was entirely unpretentious. He despised shams and hypocrisy, and his whole life can be aptly summed up by the expression of many friends in these words: "He was every inch a man." No better encomium than this can be said.

The deceased was the son of William and Margaret ROBINSON. He was born October 29, 1854, in Peoria, Illinois. He was one of six children, four of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. His father died when he was only a small lad and he fought life's battle practically unaided. His mother died in Mount Ayr in 1902. He moved with his mother and older brothers and sisters to Ringgold county in 1874 when he was twenty years of age, and the family settled on a farm near Beaconsfield. He was married on October 13, 1881, to Miss Clara A. NELSON, who survives him. To this union were born five children. They are Glenn ROBINSON, of Mount Ayr; Mrs. L. C. QUIETT, of Benton; Cora C., who remains in the home; also Mrs. Addie KNIGHT, of Liberty township, a foster child who shared equally in the love and comforts of this ideal home. Two daughters preceded their father in death. They are Pearl who died in November, 1918, and Margaret in July of 1920. The other relatives who survive him are two sisters, Mrs. Jennie LAMB and Mrs. Elizabeth JOHNSTON, of Des Moines. His brother, William, died in 1915.

Mr. ROBINSON was a highly successful business man and was accounted one of the best farmers and stock raisers in Ringgold county. By hard work, economy and industry and with the help of his loyal wife he was enabled to accumulate during his best earning years an estate of 440 acres of finely improved land near Beaconsfield. Having been denied the advantages of a good education in his youth he was eager that his children should have all of the advantages possible. Accordingly he moved to Mount Ayr in 1910 in order that his children might have the advantages of the Mount Ayr schools. In 1918 while living in Mount Ayr he sold the Beaconsfield farm and purchased the Gorsuch farm near Kellerton where he resided for two years or until the spring of 1920. Mr. and Mrs. ROBINSON then spent a year in Colorado Springs, Colo., with their daughter Margaret, who was in failing health. After her death they again returned to Mount Ayr and purchased their present home in Sheldon Heights, where his last years were spent in comfort and enjoyment, surrounded by his children and friends. He also purchased the 240 acre farm south of Mount Ayr where his son Glenn resides, and was active in the management and work of this farm, besides looking after his other business interests. He was never idle and regarded work and useful employment as one of the blessings of life.

The funeral services were conducted from the Methodist church at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Jay KIRKENDALL. Interment was in the family lot in Rose Hill cemetery.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, 2008