Woodford County Illinois - Biography of Henry M. Robinson

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Submitted by Carol Genung.
Copyright © 2008 through the current year. All rights reserved.
Source:  Portrait and Biographical Album of Woodford County, Illinois, 1889

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HENRY M. ROBINSON, who resides on section 7, Montgomery Township, is the owner
of one of the finest stock farms in Central Illinois. His entire life has been passed in this 
county, and since attaining his majority he has followed the business in which he is now engaged.
He is also one of the most extensive land holders of this section, his possessions aggregating 2,000
acres, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation and well improved. The home
farm, one of the best in the county, is especially adapted to the raising of stock. A living spring
furnishes an abundant supply of water, and wellkept groves protect his cattle from the burning
heat of summer. Upon his farm may always be found about 500 head of cattle, together with a
large number of horses and hogs, and his annual shipments amount to more than those of any other
man in this part of the State. He possesses good business ability, is judicious and methodical, and
has therefore made his life a success.

Our subject is descended from one of the prominent Scottish families. One of his ancestors, to
whom the line of descent is directly traced, served his country as a soldier, and was noted for his
bravery and daring conduct on the field of battle. He was killed at the famous battle of Culloden,
leaving to his family an honored name. His son, Benjamin Robinson, was the founder of the family
in America, and emigrated from his native land to this country in the early Colonial days, becoming a
resident of West Virginia. In Clarksburg, that State, he opened the first store ever established west of the
Allegheny Mountains, and for some years did a flourishing business at that place. In 1800 he removed
to Ohio and purchased 4,000 acres of land in Coshocton County, in the Muskingum River Valley, 
that being the smallest amount the Government would sell. His was one of the first settlements made 
in Central Ohio, and on the farm which he developed in that wild region he made his home until his death. 
In Virginia he had married a Miss Flemrning, and several children were born of their union.

One of their number, Col. James Robinson, was the grandfather of our subject. He was born in
Clarksburg, W. Va., in 1786, and when fourteen years of age went with the family to Coshocton County, 
Ohio. He succeeded to the estate on the death of his father, and on the old homestead passed his entire life. 
He completed the work of developing the large tract of land, divided it into good farms, erected all 
necessary buildings and made many other improvements. He also lived to see the entire county around 
him transformed into beautiful farms and homes, and settled by an intelligent and energetic people. 
He won his title as colonel in the War of 1812, in which he served under Gen. Harrison. He participated 
in many of the important engagements of that struggle, and fought bravely in the battle of the Thames. He
was well and favorably known, not only in the immediate vicinity of his home but for miles around
throughout the country, and was a prominent and influential citizen. For some years he served as
Probate Judge of Coshocton County, and held other positions of honor and trust.

Col. Robinson was twice married, his first union being with Rebecca Wood, who died at the age of
twenty-six years, leaving two children, Raymond, and Henry M., father of our subject, both of whom 
are now deceased. He afterward married Phoebe Letts, who survived her husband a number of years
and died at an advanced age. Seven children were born to them, but nearly all of the family are now
deceased. The Colonel and both wives were members of the Methodist Church. He died on the old
homestead in Coshocton County in 1853, at the age of sixty-eight years.

Henry M. Robinson, Sr., was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, on the 13th day of June, 1814, and
was reared to manhood on his father's farm. His education was received in the log school-house, so
common at that day. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age, when he
set out to try his fortune in the West, and came to Illinois, reaching Woodford County in 1838. After
locating some land in Montgomery Township, he continued his journey to Iowa, where he spent one
year, engaged in buying and selling real estate until 1840, when he again came to this county, and
settled on the farm which he had previously purchased. From that time until his death he continued
to make his home in Montgomery Township, and was numbered among its honored pioneers and
prominent citizens. In 1842 he wedded Miss Nancy Allison, a native of Ohio, who came with her parents
to this country at an early day, and died Sept. 7, 1848, leaving four children, two of whom have
since died. James E. is now a resident of Eureka, and Mrs. Rebecca H. Chaffer is still living in
Washington, Va.

The second marriage of Mr. Robinson was celebrated in Muskingum County, when Miss Mary
Little became his wife. She was born in New Jersey Jan. 14, 1815, and when but a year old was
taken by her parents to Ohio, where she remained until her marriage. After the wedding festivities
Mr. Robinson and his bride started for their western home. They made the journey in a lumberwagon
from Muskingum County, Ohio, to Woodford County, Ill., camping along the wayside to cook their meals 
and spend the night. At length they reached their destination, and from that time their lives were connected 
with the history of this community.

Mr. Robinson was one of the best-known men in the county. Wherever he went his gentlemanly deportment,
affable manners and kindness of heart won him many friends, whose confidence and high regard he retained 
till the last. He was one of the leading farmers of the county, and cultivated and improved nearly 2,000 
acres of land. He possessed many excellent business qualifications, was methodical, systematic and very 
successful in all his undertakings. He died at his home Jan. 26, 1886, and was mourned by all who knew him. 
Another of the pioneers was called home, but he will be long remembered, for his life is inseparable from the
history of the county, in whose progress and development he bore so prominent a part. In politics he supported 
the Republican party from its organization, and religiously, embraced the faith of the Methodist Church.

Mrs. Robinson still survives her husband and is living with her sister, Mrs. Cornwell, in Washington, Ill. 
She is a faithful member of the Baptist Church, and is now (1889) seventy-five years of age. Two children 
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson - Henry M., of this sketch, and a daughter, Mrs. Martha L. Pifer, of Eureka, Ill.

Our subject was born on the farm where he still makes his home, April 14, 1854, and there was reared to manhood; 
while in the district schools of the neighborhood he received his primary education, which was supplemented 
by a course in Eureka College. At an early age he became interested in cattle raising, and determined to make 
that business his life work, with what success we have previously seen. He is considered the best judge of
stock in the county, and his advice and opinion is often solicited by those who wish to purchase cattle.
In 1885 he made a trip to Ohio, and in Cambridge, that State, was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary F. Broom, 
a native of Cambridge, born in the year 1854. He then returned with his bride to his home in this county, and 
they began their domestic life upon the farm in Montgomery Township, but after a few short years had passed 
Mrs. Robinson was called home. She died on the 20th day of February, 1888, leaving one child, Eulalia.

Mr. Robinson was again married on the 13th of June. 1889, when Miss Alice C. Nixon became his wife, the 
wedding taking place at St. Paris, Ohio. The lady was born in Taylor County, W. Va., Sept. 20, 1865, and is a 
daughter of Robert and Catherine (Ilayhust) Nixon. Her parents were married and have since resided in Taylor County, 
where the husband is engaged in farming.

As a citizen Mr. Robinson is public spirited and progressive, and by his influence and financial support has aided 
largely in the advancement of those enterprises which are for the benefit of the community. In politics he is a 
Republican, having supported that party since attaining his majority. Mrs. Robinson is a member of the Baptist Church,
and is a lady of high social attainments, intelligent, gracious and kind-hearted. She was liberally eduucated, at 
St. Paris and Granville, Ohio, and a few years before her marriage engaged in teaching, in which she met with uniform success.

As one among the most beautiful residences of Woodford County, we are pleased to present on another page a fine 
engraving of the home of Mr. Robinson and his wife, where they welcome and charmingly entertain their many friends.