Fred ROBINSON

ROBINSON, PACKARD, BREWSAUGH, SELLERS

Posted By: Alan Robinson (email)
Date: 6/16/2003 at 11:46:26

Here are two transcriptions of obituaries for Fred Lester Robinson b. March 18, 1869 d. Sept 2, 1899:

Obituary from The Herald, Belmond, Iowa:

Fred Robinson died at his home at Ft. Dodge, Iowa, on Saturday, September 2nd, of typhoid pneumonia.

Mr. Fred Robinson, aged thirty years.

Fred Robinson was born in Decorah, Winneshiek Co., Iowa, in the year 1869. When but two years old he came with his parents to Belmond where he has resided continuously since save the last two years. The deceased was married to Miss Tessie Packard in February 1891, with whom he has lived a happy wedded life, the fruit of this union being two bright little children, a boy and a girl, who are left to mourn the loss of a young father, whose personal memory will grow dimmer and dimmer as time rolls by. We sympathize with all in this great affliction but most of all with the young widow and mother who is left to buffet this world alone with her little children. But like a wise and brave man who looks death in the face and prepares for it, the deceased left life insurance in the Knights of the Maccabees so that his wife and family are provided for.

The Maccabees Lodge at Ft. Dodge had charge of the funeral and the Rev. Whitfield of Belmond and the Rev. Wiard of Ft. Dodge officiated. After the last rites all that was mortal of Fred Robinson was laid away in the Belmond Cemetery, there to await the final summons.

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Obituary - copy of; source unknown:

Fred Robinson died Sept 2, 1899, aged 30 years, 5 months and 15 days.

When the news came a few days ago that Fred Robinson had typhoid fever and was not expected to live, a murmur of regret and a sadness was heard throughout the town.

Everybody knew Fred and everybody liked him. Each day for several years he has passed through our town on the M.C. & F.D. road and back again to his home at Fort Dodge, that being for convenience his place of residence; but Fred belonged to Belmond and to this people. He had lived here twenty-four of the thirty years of his life, he was educated in our schools and grew to manhood in the companionship of our boys and girls.

He entered the employ of the R.R. Co. some five years ago and had worked himself up, not so much in degree of office, as in ability as a business man and in that development of sterling integrity of character that was strikingly apparent upon meeting him. He was a self made man in every sense. He was brakeman on the passenger train, often acting as conductor to fill vacancies.

An interesting career seemed to be before him, but how little we know of what time has in store for us. Cut off in the prime of usefulness, while so many aged and suffering ones are left to live on. There is a purpose in all this - - there must be, and we shall know "some sweet day, by and by."

He was married about 9 years ago to Tessa, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. D. E. Packard. Two children are left to comfort the lonely mother, a boy of eight and a girl of five years - - Earl and Lola.

He left a father, three brothers and three sisters. The absent ones were summoned but only two, Mrs. Brewsaugh, of Oskaloosa and Bert of Buffalo Center, being able to reach here in time for the funeral. Mrs. Sellers, of Ogden, is expected today.

His companions in business, the R. R. boys, came to the front with that warm hearted openhanded sympathy, peculiar to men in that line of business and bore for Mrs. Robinson as much of the burden and the loss as possible. She expresses, with feeling her obligations and gratitude to them in this, her dark hour.

The remains were followed by many friends from Ft. Dodge, the pall bearers being his companions on the road. The funeral was held at the M. E. church Monday at 1 o'clock, where a large company of friends gathered to pay their last tribute of respect. The prayer by Rev. Whitfield was followed by a most excellent talk from Mr. Wyard, Cong'l minister from Ft. Dodge, who knew and loved Fred for his unassuming worth and genuine superiority. Sweet music was appropriately interspersed and rare gifts of cut flowers expressed the love and sympathy that could not be spoken.

The remains were laid to rest in the Belmond Cemetery only a few feet in distance from those of his mother whose death fell so heavily upon the family some four years ago. It was when a young man, in the fullness and vigor, died, that Jesus wept in sympathy for those who mourned, and it was then that He said, "I am the resurrection and the light, he that believeth on me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." Human words are empty and meaningless beside these of our Savior that speak of an actual hope. We may point these mourning ones to Him who is able to comfort, it is the best we can do, it is all we can do."