This post was contributed to the Crawford County Chapter of OGS by Kristina Stearley as part of the Florence Siefert Scrapbook in 2010.
The scrapbook is compiled from undated, unidentified newspaper clippings involving events in the lives of Crawford County citizens living in or having connections to New Washington, Tiro, Shelby, Sulphur Springs, Chatfield, Bucyrus, Ashland, Mansfield, and other areas. Only minimal spelling or punctuation corrections were made. Unreadable areas are shown by underlines, dots &/or question marks. This collection has been scanned, “optical character recognized” (OCR’d), proofed, then coded for HTML by volunteers of the Crawford County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society. Since the copies are not of the best quality errors may have been made. Please contact us if you find corrections needing to be made or can verify any missing dates which could be added.
A Long Life’s Journey Ended.
New Washington cor to Forum.
New Washington, March 21–Robert Robison was born Monday; October 10, 1825, in Perry county, Pennsylvania, and died at the family home two miles east of New Washington, Friday, March 16, 1900. He accompanied his parents to Crawford county in June, 1837, and with them located on a farm in Cranberry township. He learned the blacksmith’s trade in his father’s shop and was a faithful assistant until the age of twenty one.
He then became the proprietor of a shop in Waynesburg, and there pursued a busy, prosperous life before the forge for a number of years. He subsequently opened a shop on the farm now occupied by his son, Will, and plied his trade up to the year ’86. He interspersed blacksmithing with farming and during his life, through hard work and strict economy, he accumulated a good sized fortune, the major portion of which was the result of close application to the forge.
In September, 1891, while climbing into a corn crib, he sustained an injury to the right eye, which resulted a year later in the loss of the eye. An inflammation of the other eye subsequently followed and glaucoma resulted. The best medical and surgical skill that could be obtained in Columbus and Cleveland was employed and several operations performed without the least benefit. Mr. Robison was totally blind during the last seven years of his life. Although deprived of the privilege of seeing the various beautiful changes of nature, a kind Heavenly Father granted him a contented mind and heart. At no time would he deplore his condition and during his last illness of but a few weeks, no murmur of complaint escaped his lips, except a remonstrance against his wish to go soon that he might be with the beloved wife, who preceded him by but ten weeks to the heavenly shore. He was exceedingly anxious for the end to come for he well knew that his earthly labors would soon be finished. How beautiful and how sublime were the closing chapters of the two lives linked so lovingly together during their years on earth.
When a minister of the gospel asked Mr. Robison, during the closing hours of his life, about his soul’s welfare he made the reply: “I have by no means put this off until this hour. I have made full preparation for my spiritual welfare. I have not only provided for material things but have likewise provided for the spiritual life.” Such testimony is characteristic of a man and a Christian, and is only proof of the sweetness of the life a Christian and honest man fully enjoys.
Robert Robison and Miss Mary A. Robison were married on Monday, January 27, 1845. To this union three children were born of which one son, George, grew to manhood and died on Thursday, January 7, 1897. On Thursday, June 19, 1851. Mr. Robison was bereft of the wife with whom he lived but for six years. On Wednesday, May 19, 1852, he was united in holy wedlock with Miss Esther M. Robison, who was a first cousin of his former wife. They were the parents of six children of whom the following are living: Maggie Jane, wife of Isaac Hellem, who re- sides at Chicago Junction, was born Sunday, July 1, 1854; Elmer Deane, of New Washington. was born Thursday, October 10; 1867; William Lee, of New Washington, was born Sunday, April 11, 1869. Mr. Robison was the grandfather of Forrest L. Hellem, of Chicago Junction, and Mabel Robison, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Will Robison, and the great grandfather; of Walter Hellem, son of Mr and Mrs. Forrest Hellem.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. F. Stamm, of the Methodist church, Sunday morning, March 18, interment in Goodwill cemetery. Just ten weeks had pasted since the burial of his wife, which occured on January 6.
Two prominent features in the life of Mr. Robison clearly present themselves, namely industry and economy. These proved the true secret to the wealth he accumulated during his lifetime. Always honest, courteous, obliging and accurate in all his dealings, he never lacked a friend. Strong active, determined, he never failed to accomplish the desired end. What a grand inspiration for the young man of today! What a noble purpose in toiling that others might be made happy! The end of such men is peaceful indeed, and long may their memories be cherished.
