sonality upon those who have formed his acquaintance, and he is generally recognized as a man of unusual attainments. He has a gentleman's sense of honor and this coupled with his high ideals and manly dignity has won him the esteem and respect of the entire community.
ROBERT ALEXANDER ROBISON.
During a residence of fifty years in Story county Robert A. Robison left an indelible impress here by reason of the fact that he exemplified in his life the sterling traits of good citizenship and of activity and honor in business. Through careful management and judicious investment he became one of the extensive landowners of the county, owning at the time of his death nearly twelve hundred acres of valuable farm land. He had devoted many years to general agricultural pursuits and stock-raising near Iowa Center, having arrived in this state in the fall of 1856.
He was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, May 15, 1822. His father, John Robison, was a native of the same locality, was reared to manhood there and after arriving at years of maturity wedded Miss Mary Anderson, also a native of Pennsylvania. They took up their abode upon a farm in Mifflin county and resided there until called to their final rest, the father passing away in 1853 and the mother a number of years later. Their family numbered eight children, seven sons and a daughter.
Robert A. Robison, who was the sixth in order of birth, remained under the parental roof through the period of his boyhood and assisted his father until eighteen years of age, when he began learning the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a number of years, eventually becoming a contractor and builder. In 1855 he heard and heeded the call of the west. Bidding adieu to the Keystone state, he removed to Lafayette, Indiana, where he worked at his trade for about eighteen 'months, and in the fall of 1856 came to Iowa, settling in Story county, at Iowa Center. There he established himself in business as a contractor and builder, but after four years devoted to that pursuit took up his abode upon a farm in 1859 and concentrated his energies upon the work of tilling the soil. He first bought eighty acres of land and added to the farm from time to time as his resources increased, until in his home place he had over four hundred and twenty acres. Elsewhere he bought other property until he became the owner of nearly twelve hundred acres. He brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and added modern equipments to his different farm properties. Upon the home place he erected a fine residence, together with two large barns and other outbuildings necessary for the shelter of grain, stock and farm machinery.
His success came to him largely after his removal to Iowa and was the direct result of untiring industry and good management. He worked his