John A. Robinson

ROBINSON, SMITH

Posted By: Fran Hunt, Volunteer
Date: 10/5/2001 at 21:42:44

From the Portrait and Biographical Album of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties – 1890
JOHN A. ROBINSON
John A. Robinson of Keosauqua, has been a resident of the Van Buren County since 1850, and is widely and favorable known in the community where he makes his home. He is a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster County June 4, 1832, and is a son of James B. Robinson. When
A young man he learned the trade of a blacksmith in the Keystone state. In 1850, he resolved to seek his fortune in the west and came to the new state of Iowa. He chose Winchester as the scene of his labors and at that place carried on the blacksmith trade until 1871, when he removed to Keosauqua, where he still resides, continuing the business which has been his life work.
In Winchester, in 1855, Mr. Robinson was united in marriage with Miss Ella J. Smith, daughter of Asa Smith. She is a native of Tennessee, her birth having occurred near Nashville in 1835. When a maiden of fifteen summers she came to Iowa locating to Van Buren County, where she formed the acquaintance of Mr. Robinson. Three children have been born of this union of whom two are yet living—James B. born December 2, 1855, in Winchester, is a furniture dealer of Milton; Nellie F., the daughter is a teacher of considerable ability, now employed in the schools of Keosauqua. The third child, Arthur died at the age of two years.
Mr. Robinson and his wife are faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which their daughter also belongs. This worthy couple also reared an adopted daughter Mary Bird Robinson, who engaged in the profession of teaching. She was a young lady of intelligence and possessing many excellencies of character, but her death occurred at the age of nineteen years. Our subject and his wife, who for forth years have been numbered among Van Buren County’s citizens, are highly respected in the community where they reside and their friends are many.
I am not related, and am only copying this for the information of those who might find this person in their family.