Lewis Publishing Company, 1904

Transcribed from the original book by Kristin J. Vaughn © 2008

Edward Robinson Page 571 Edward Robinson is a well known stockman of Fairbury, Nebraska, and his business interests carefully conducted have resulted in making him one of the prosperous citizens of his community. He is numbered among the old settlers of Jefferson county, coming to this portion of the state at a time when much of the land was still in possession of the government. He arrived in March, 1868, and secured a homestead, and since that time he has been active in agricultural interests. Mr. Robinson was born in Middlesex county, Canada, on the 9th of April, 1847. His father, William Robinson, was a native of county Armagh, Ireland, belonging to an old family of the Protestant faith. He was reared in the Church of England and remained a resident of the green isle of Erin until twenty-one years of age, when he crossed the Atlantic to Canada, settling in Middlesex county, where he engaged in general farming. He was married there to Mrs. Sarah (Foute) Shoebotham a widow, who by her former marriage had two children, namely: Henry Shoebotham, who is now living in Fairbury, Nebraska; and Eliza, who makes her home in Canada. Mrs. Robinson was born in county Armagh, Ireland, and died at the age of forty-seven years, while William Robingson departed this life at the age of sixty-three years. Both were of the Episcopalian faith and their many excellent traits of heart and mind won them the respect and good will of those with whom they were associated. They became the parents of six children: William, a prominent stockman of Richland precinct; Edward, a twin brother of William; James, who is living at McCook, Nebraska; Mrs. Mary Jenkins, of Fairbury; John A., a prominent farmer of Richland precinct; and Mrs. Sarah Ball, also of McCook, Nebraska. Edward Robinson was reared upon the old home farm and instructed in practical methods of farm work, while in the district schools of the neighborhood he acquired his literary education. The habits of industry, economy and honesty, which he formed in his youth, proved potent elements in his later success. In March, 1868, he came to Nebraska, hoping that he might find better business opportunities in this then largely unsettled district. He located a homestead claim in Richland precinct and lived alone until the 7th of May, 1870, when he won a companion and helpmate for life's journey, being married on that date to Miss Elsie Conger, an intelligent lady of good family, who has been to him a faithful and devoted companion on the journey of life. She was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, a daughter of William Conger, who was a native of Wayne county, New York, and a cousin of Hon. E.H. Conger, minister to China. Her mother bore the maiden name of Mahala Cooper, and was also born in Wayne county, New York. In 1847 her parents removed to LaSalle county, Illinois, and the father died in that state, when thirty-five years of age. He had devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, thus providing for the wants of his family. His political allegiance was given to the Republican party, and his religious faith was that of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he held membership. At his death he left a widow and two children, Allen and Elsie. Mrs. Conger later became the wife of Henry Ward and had seven children by that marriage, of whom two are now living: Thomas Ward, who makes his home near Gladstone, Nebraska; and Frank, who is living in Lincoln, Nebraska. Mrs. Ward came to Jefferson county in 1874 and was thus early identified with the pioneer interests and development of this portion of the state. Her daughter, Mrs. Robinson, acquired her education near Ottawa, LaSalle county, Illinois. She came with her mother to this country and here gave her hand in marriage to Edward Robinson. Four children have been born of this union: Mary Edna, who is now the wife of Charles McCoy, of Richland precinct; John Henry, who married Bertha Clark and lives in Richland precinct of Jefferson county; Anna Belle, the wife of Cecil Bosley, of Jefferson county; and George Edward, who married Carrie Moser, and resides upon the old homestead farm. They also lost three children: Elizabeth, who died at the age of seven years; Flora May, at the age of four years; and William J., when nineteen months' old. The first home of Mr. Robinson in Jefferson county was a dugout fourteen by sixteen feet. In this he lived for three years and then built a log cabin, which he occupied for eighteen months. He afterward erected a farm house and also built a modern and commodious home in Fairbury, where he and his family now reside. He owns six hundred and forty acres of as good land as can be found in Nebraska. This is well improved, being equipped with all modern conveniences, and he keeps on hand one hundred and fifty head of cattle and a large number of hogs. He had but limited financial resources at the time of his marriage, but he and his wife have worked courageously and harmoniously together, and they have now a very valuable property and are numbered among the substantial citizens of Jefferson county. They hold membership in the United Brethren church, and Mr. Robinson is serving as one of its board of trustees, while both take an active part in church work. His political allegiance is given to the Populist party. The family home is noted for its generous and cordial hospitality, and both Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have the warm regard of many with whom they have been brought in contact during their long residence in this locality. Mr. Robinson as one of the early settlers is entitled to mention in this volume, and, moreover, he has taken an active and helpful part in the work of improvement as the county has emerged from its pioneer conditions to take a place among the leading counties of this great commonwealth.