Joseph ROBINSON, one of the prosperous farmers of Washington Township, is a native of Ireland, born in County Tyrone, August 17, 1835, a son of Robert and Jane ROBINSON. When he was an infant his parents moved to America, and lived in Canada two years, then returned to Ireland, where he remained sixteen years. June 15, 1853, he sailed from Liverpool for America in the ship Fidelia, and landed in the city of New York, a penniless boy in a land of strangers. He obtained employment in a brass-finishing and gas-fitting establishment, where he worked a year and then went to Washington County, New York, where he was employed on a farm nine years. He then left New York and drifted to Ohio and thence in 1861 to Wisconsin. He lived in Dane County, near Madison, until the fall of 1864, when he moved to Ringgold County, Iowa, and in the spring of 1865 moved to the farm where he now lives, on section 13, Washington Township. He bought eighty acres of land, forty of which were under cultivation, and a small log cabin had been built. He has added to his first purchase from time to time until he now owns 840 acres. The most of his land is seeded to grass, as he makes a specialty of stock-raising, having at times large numbers of both cattle and hogs. He also has some fine horses and colts, the most of them being of the Norman breed. Mr. ROBINSON has made his property by his own industry and good management. He is an honorable, upright man, and in all his dealings with business men wins their respect and confidence.

He was married in 1858 to Sarah DUNLAP, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, but living in Washington County, New York, at the time of her marriage. They have six children - Hiram S., Charles H., John D., Minnie, Maggie, Elizabeth and Ida. The latter died at aged twelve years.

In politics Mr. ROBINSON is a Republican, casting his first presidential vote for Abraham LINCOLN.

NOTE: Joseph ROBINSON died November 20, 1912. Sarah (DUNLAP) ROBINSON was born in 1832, and died August 31, 1907. Joseph and Sarah were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa.

Hiram ROBINSON was born in 1861, and died March 2, 1928, with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa.

John Dunlap ROBINSON was born in Ringgold County, Iowa, September 10, 1868, and died August 5, 1923, with interment at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa.

SOURCES:
Biography & Historical Record of Ringgold County, Iowa, Pp. 345-46, 1887.

WPA Graves Survey

Transcription and note by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2009

Biographical Sketches Pages Index: A - F,   G - L,   M - R,  S - Z