This aged and venerated resident of Elizabeth Twp. is approaching his four-score years, having been born Dec. 10, 1810 in Lincoln County N.C. He was one of the earliest pioneers of this section, and has left his indelible mark upon its early history, officiated as Justice of the Peace for a period of 30 years and being otherwise prominent in its local affairs. He received an excellent education for those times, in his youth, and during his early manhood was occupied considerably as a teacher. He has been one of those embracing every opportunity for useful knowledge; is possessed of more than ordinary intelligence, and can relate many an interesting tale of life, not only in the South, but in the Northwest.

Joab Robinson, his father, was a native of Lancaster Co. PA and the mother was born in VA. They emigrated to Madison Co. IL about 1819 where the father followed farming and where Davis remained until a youth of 18 years. The latter came to this county in 1844, when there were but a few rude structures upon the present site of Elizabeth village. He occupied himself principally at mining, in addition to discharging the duties of Justice of the Peace and Notary Public, and occassionally prosecuted lead mining. In 1854 he invested a part of his capital in a stock of general merchandise and has been engaged in trade exclusively since that time, alone, with the exception of one year when he operated with a partner. He was well adapted to this branch of business and accumulated a competency. The affairs of the growing community found in him the supporter of everything calculated to push forward its various interests, and he was usually the incumbent of some of the local offices, serving as Township Clerk, and was one of the prime movers in securing the incorporation of Elizabeth as a village. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees, and was at one time Chairman. His career has been characterized by uprightness, temperance and sobriety, and the other qualities of an honest man and a good citizen.

Mr. Robinson was married in 1832 to Susan Nelson who died in 1846. Four of his children survive, namely; Julia C. (Mrs. Samuel Hitt), Lucretia (Mrs. Thomas B. Bray), and John Q., residents of Elizabeth Township; and George W. in California. Our subject cast his first presidential vote for Clay, and in early manhood identified with the old Whig party. Upon its abandonment, he was active in the organization of the Republican party in this section, and has since been a stanch supporter of its principles. At the memorable meeting bringing about this change there were present many men who have since become prominent in public affairs, among them the late E.B. Washburn, with whom Mr. Robinson enjoyed personal acquaintance. In religious maters Mr. Robinson is identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he united many years ago. He has been an interested witness of the changes which transformed a stretch of uncultivated prairie into the homes of intelligent and civilized people, and has contributed his quota to the building up of Jo Daviess County, and is encouraging the settlement here of the better class of people. After the labors of long and well spent years, he is living quietly in a comfortable home, surrounded by friends and enjoying the good things of life.

During the years 1830-31, Mr. Robinson resided with his brother, Smith L. Robinson, in Galena, the latter hving been sent by the Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church as a missionary to this section. Later he was a resident of Hillsboro a number of years, and likewise sojourned for a short time in what is now known as Christian County, also in Lee County, for the latter of which he came to this county.

From Portraits and Biographical Pg 695