Success has attended William E. Robinson in his conduct of general farming and stock-raising interests in Dayton township. He now owns as well as occupies the old Robinson homestead, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 36. Moreover, he is numbered among the early settlers of the county, dating his residence here from 1856. He was but two years of age at the time of his arrival, his birth having occurred in the city of La Salle, Illinois, January 9, 1854.
His father, William T. Robinson, was a native of England, born in 1819, and was there reared to the age of fourteen years, when his father, John Robinson, came to the new world with his family in 1833, settling first in Canada. William T. Robinson was reared in the Dominion and was there married to Miss Anna Ernest, a native of New York, whose girlhood days were spent in Utica in the home of her father, William Ernest, a well known resident of Utica for many years and later one of the early settlers of Cedar county, Iowa. On coming to this state he took up his abode at West Liberty, where he spent his last days.
William T. Robinson removed from Canada to La Salle county, Illinois, where he worked at the wheelwright’s trade, which he had previously learned. In 1856 he came to Iowa and established his home at West Liberty, turning his attention to farming. Later he entered from the government the tract of one hundred and sixty acres upon which his son now resides. It was wild and un-improved and with characteristic energy he began its development, breaking the sod and planting the fields. His first home was a small house, which he occupied for about twenty years, when his success enabled him to erect a much more commodious and substantial residence. He also built a good barn and outbuildings, set out a grove and fenced his land. The changes which he made converted it into an attractive place, upon which he reared his family. His remaining days were spent upon the farm, where his death occurred June 28, 1902, his wife surviving him until 1907, when she too passed away.
William E. Robinson spent his youthful days upon the old homestead and alternated his attendance at the common schools with the work upon the home farm through the periods of vacation. After putting aside his text-books his entire attention was given to farm work mostly upon the old homestead, although for a time he worked by the month as a farm hand. He remained with his father until twenty-seven years of age and then started out independently.
It was at that time that Mr. Robinson was married in Fairfield township, on the 20th of October, 1881, to Miss Mary J. Winter, who was born and reared in Maryland, a daughter of G. K. Winter, who removed from that state to Cedar county, Iowa. Following their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Robinson located on the farm in Fairfield township, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits for a quarter of a century, cultivating a tract of eighty acres, on which he erected good buildings and made modern improvements. At length he sold out there and in 1908 purchased the interests of the other heirs in the old homestead, whereon he has since resided. In connection with the tilling of the soil he has raised and fed stock and annually sells a large number of cattle and hogs, fattened on grass. He keeps his stock in excellent condition and his capable management of his business affairs has made him one of the substantial residents of the community.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have been born three children: Sadie E., now the wife of Charles Schilling, a farmer of Fairfield; Susie, the wife of William Schilling, a resident farmer of this county, by whom she has one child, Marvin; and Arthur, who assists in carrying on the home farm.
Mr. Robinson is a republican in his political views but at local elections, where no issue is involved, votes independently. The period of his residence in Cedar county covers fifty-four years and he has, therefore, witnessed almost the entire growth and development of this part of the state. He can remember when its lands were largely uncultivated, the initial work of the pioneer having just begun; when the homes of the settlers were small and unpretentious; and when the mercantile interests of the town simply met the necessities of daily living without an attempt to introduce the comforts and luxuries known to the older east. As time has passed on, however, all this has changed, for the wild prairie has been converted into productive fields, the pioneer homes have been replaced by beautiful modern residences and villages have been converted into cities. Mr. Robinson rejoices in what has been accomplished and feels great pride in the work that has been done in Cedar county. At all times he stands for progress and improvement and is known as one of the public-spirited citizens.
