Biographical Souvenir of the counties of Delaware and Buchanan Iowa.
Chicago: F. A. Battey & Company. 1890. pgs. 555-556

James Robinson, an old settler of Delaware county and a prosperous farmer residing in Adams township, is a native of the County Fermanagh, Ireland, and was born January 29, 1822.  His parents, James and Easter (Johnston) Robinson, were also natives of Ireland, the father having been born in County Fermanagh and the mother in County Tyrone.  They lived and died in their native country, passing all their lives in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture.  The father was twice married and had ten children, five by each marriage.  His second wife's name was Margaret Johnston.  The issue of the first marriage was -- William, Nancy, Thomas, Elizabeth and James.  That of the second was --
Alexander, Ann, Johnston, Robert, and Anthony.

James Robinson, the subject of this notice, was thus the youngest child of the first marriage.  He was reared in his native country and resided there until twenty-one years old.  He came to the United States in 1844, and after living for eight years in different localities in the East, moved West in 1852 and settled in Delaware county, Iowa, where he has since resided.  Mr. Robinson possessed small means when he came to
Delaware county.  His first purchase of land consisted of forty acres in Adams and Prairie townships, a large part of which is under cultivation and otherwise well improved.  He has dealt extensively in stock and continues to do so.  He bears the reputation of being one of the most intelligent and most successful farmers in the county and everything around him gives the evidence also of this fact.  He has a very desirable homestead and one that shows to good advantage the many years of labor and thoughtful care which he has expended on it.

January 27, 1854, about two years after settling in Delaware county, Mr. Robinson married, taking to share his life's fortunes Miss Mary A. Gregg, then residing in Allegheny City, Pa.  Mrs. Robinson was born, however, in County Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1835, and was there also reared.  She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Swindle) Gregg, who were natives of Ireland.  Mrs. Robinson died February 14, 1881,
leaving surviving her, besides her husband, several children, most of whom, however, she lived to see grown and whom she helped to train to
habits of industry and usefulness.  William J.., Mr. and Mrs. Robinson's eldest child, is a merchant residing in Osceola county, Iowa.  Their next, Easter A., is deceased.  Margaret, the third, is the wife of Christopher Blakeley (Bleakly), of Ida county, Iowa.  Sarah is deceased.  Thomas is a physician, residing in Gallup, N. Mex.  Robert R. is a farmer, residing in Prairie township, Delaware county.  Eliza is the wife of James Perry, a Methodist minister, residing at Silver creek, Delaware county.  Alexander is a farmer, living with his father.  John B. is a farmer, residing in Nebraska.  Mary J. is deceased.  Henry E. and Charles G. are still with their father.  Mr. Robinson has given to his children the best educational advantages within his reach, graduating a number of them from the leading colleges of the state.  Those of them who have started in life for themselves he has helped liberally, and he continues to take a great interest in their welfare and success, counseling with them on all matters affecting their interests whenever his counsel is needed.

Mr. Robinson has held many local offices in his township, the duties of which he has discharged faithfully, and he has been foremost in supporting the material, educational, social, and religious interests of the community where he resides.  In politics he is a republican, and for many years has been a member of the Methodist church, zealous in all church work and a liberal contributor to charity.

 

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