John Robinson (1851-1923)

BORWEY, INMAN, JEPSON, REES, ROBINSON, ROWLEY, SMITH, WALROD

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:54

March 21, 1851 --- March 13, 1923

John Robinson was born in Lincolnshire, England, March 21, 1851. He came to America when he was 24 years of age and settled at Boone, Iowa, in 1875. He lived there for eight years, when he moved to Michigan, where he lived for two years. He returned to Boone, where he lived till 1897. His next move was to Eagle Grove, Iowa. For eighteen years he was yard foreman for the C. & N. W. During that time he built the west yards. When he quit the railroad he moved to the farm just east of town, where he lived till 1920. He then moved to his new home at 120 North Iowa avenue, where he lived till the time of his death, which occurred early in the morning of March 13, 1923. At the time of his death he was 71 years, 11 months and 22 days old.

He was married to Charlotte Smith of Boone on March 27, 1875. To this union ten children were born: Geo of Reno, Nev., Mrs. Anna Rees of Casper, Wyo., Mrs. Sarah Rowley of Davidson, Can. (deceased), Charles of Davenport. Ia., Will of Eagle Grove, Iowa, Charlotte Inman of Council Bluffs. Iowa, Mrs. Edith Jepson of Council Bluffs, Ia., Albert of Eagle Grove, Iowa, Alfred of Chicago, and Mrs. Ruth Walrod of Eagle Grove, Iowa. Besides these he is survived by two children of a brother who he took into his home and raised. Mrs. Lillian Borwey of Eagle Grove, who he took into his home at the age of eight years and Herbert Robinson now of Sutherland, who he brought up from the age of eleven years.

Mr. Robinson has practically been a life long member of the Methodist Church. He has not only held his membership in this church but he has lived a robust, vigorous Christian life. He and his wonderful little wife raised their children in this church. When Sunday came the entire family could be seen dressed in their “Sunday clothes” and occupying the family pew. This continued until the family grew up and married or moved away. Even after the nest was empty this devoted couple although handicapped in almost the entire loss of hearing, continued to come to the House of Worship. Mr. Robinson, whose hearing was not so badly impaired, was deeply moved or highly elated over hearing a good gospel message. If the preacher did well Mr. Robinson told him so usually using the phrase "Well, I got my penny's worth." If the sermon was not so good the preacher was usually told of that also, but always in a way and manner which was inoffensive and helpful. He served as class leader for years and, when able, was always at prayer meeting. To the end he was a faithful and valuable member of the official board.

In his home he was a hard working, very energetic man. But let it also be known, since there is one thing in which we are most interested, that here more than in the church he showed forth his Christian character. The day was always begun around the family alter, grace was always said at meals and the day was always ended with family devotions. This Godly couple was determined that whatever else they were able to give their children they would give them a Christian training. These same children have grown up to call their parents “blessed.” When suitors came to spend the evening there was no change made In the religious routine of the home. In this we are reminded of the scene in Burn’s "Cotter’s Saturday Night,” which the author describes in the following language:

“The priest-like Father reads the sacred page,
How Abram was the friend of GOD on high;
Or, Moses bade eternal warfare wage,
With Amalek's ungracious progeny;
Or, how the royal Bard did groaning lye,
Beneath the stroke of Heaven's avenging ire;
Or Job's pathetic plaint, and wailing cry;
Or rapt Isaiah's wild, seraphic fire;
Or other Holy Seers that tune the sacred lyre.

Perhaps the Christian Volume is the theme:
How guiltless blood for guilty man was shed;
How HE, who bore in Heaven the second name,
Had not on Earth whereon to lay His head;
How His first followers and servants sped;
The Precepts sage they wrote to many a land:
How he, who lone in Patmos, banished,
Saw in the sun a mighty angel stand;
And heard great Bab'lon's doom pronounc'd
by Heaven's command.

Then kneeling down to HEAVEN’S ETERNAL KING,
The Saint, the Father, and the Husband prays:
Hope 'springs exulting on triumphant wing,'
That thus they all shall meet in future days:
There, ever bask in uncreated rays,
No more to sigh or shed the bitter tear,
Together hymning their CREATOR’S praise
In such society, yet still more dear;
While circling Time moves round in an eternal sphere.”

Mr. Robinson took sick last fall. He was taken to the Methodist hospital in Des Moines, where he underwent an operation from which he had almost recovered, but bronchial pneumonia set in and in his weakened condition he was not able to resist the shock. When his pastor called on him a few hours before he passed away he greeted him in the usual cheerful manner and said: “This is one of the good things of life which has come to me.” Death to him was only the loosing of the bonds which bound his imprisoned soul. The last few days he spent in singing, praying or talking with his loved ones.

He will be greatly missed but by none so much as by his companion of almost fifty years. He leaves her and the children already mentioned, his brother, Charles of Boone, one sister in England, one in Ontario, Canada, twenty-one grand children and two great grand children.

Funeral services were held from the Methodist church. Rev. W. G. Muhleman preached the funeral sermon from the text found in II Sam. 3:38. The body was laid to rest in Rose Hill cemetery, under a blanket of spotless snow, there to await its resurrection when, with all the redeemed of the lord it shall be clothed in a robe made spotless white in the blood of the Lamb.

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
March 22, 1923