Archibald Robinson, of Hanover, is one of the oldest living pioneers of this county. He arrived here as earlv as 1834 and resided for a short time in the embryo town of Galena, where he occupied himself as a teamster. He then "squatted" on land two miles north of Hanover, which was then called AVapello, and which not long before had been overrun by Indians and wild animals. He laid claim to 180 acres, but sold out before the land came into market. He then resided in various parts of the county a number of years, but in the vear of 1860 settled in the village of Hanover, where he is now living retired from active labor. His has been a large and rich experience, during which time he has witnessed the development of a wild tract of country into beautiful homesteads and prosperous villages. He helped to build many a log cabin during the early days, and says that notwithstanding the civilization of the present he enjoyed life about as well in the early days as he has since. He has been successful, financially and his course has been such as to fully establish him in the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens.

Our subject was born in County Donegal, Ireland, May 1, 1807. His parents were John and Elizabeth (Johnson) Robinson, both also of Irish birth and parentage, and the mother died when her son Archibald was an infant. He was reared by his father, and remained in his native country until reaching the nineteenth year of his age. In the meantime his educational advantages had been very meagre, and there seemed little prospect of his advancement, socially or financially. Me finally resolved to seek his fortune in another continent, and bidding adieu to the friends and associations of his youth, engaged passage at Londonderry on a small American sailing-vessel, called the "Philadelphia," which landed him six weeks later in the city of Philadelphia. He remained there until 1834, and most of the time followed the trade of weaver, which he had learned in his native Ireland. He employed his evenings in attending school, and thus added to his store of useful knowledge. This most commendable course assisted in fitting him for the future duties of life, and he has further fortified himself all along by the reading of current literature which has kept him posted upon the leading events of the day.

In his voyage to this country, our subject was accompanied by two of his sisters. The parental family was quite large, and of the children six survive, namely: Catherine, Eve. Ann, Sarah (Mrs. White) a widow, and living in Montana; Archibald, our subject; and John, a resident of Hanover. The movements of Mr. Robinson, after coming to this county, we have already indicated. Upon becoming a naturalized citizen he allied himself with the old Whig party, voted for William H. Harrison in 1840; and later, at the organization of the Republicans, in 1856, cordially endorsed its principles, and has since given to this party his support. It is hardly necessary to say that he voted also for Benjamin Harrison in November, 1888. He has not been backward in furthering the public interests, and has given his encouragement to the establishment of schools, churches, and every other worthy enterprise. The lirst ftececier Presbyterian Cliurch edifice was erected about four miles northwest of Hanover on the land of Charles Moore at a very early day and was built of logs. Mr. Robinson assisted in this work and likewise did a great deal of other pioneer labor, calculated to benefit the community generally. He is a self-made man in the broadest sense of the term, commenced at the lowest round of the ladder, and climbed up to a good position among his fellowcitizens, solely by the exercise of his native industry and perseverance. After disposing of his first land he interested himself in farming until his retirement, lie may be properly ranked among the wealthy men of his community, and possessing more than ordinary business abilit}- and sound common sense. He is one who is looked up to, and his opinions are generally respected. He has been fortunate in his investments, and ever ready to assist the man who will try to help himself.

Contributed by Christine Walters - Portrait and Biographical Album of Jo Daviess and Carroll Counties, Illinois (1889)