The life of the subject of this sketch has not been of an unusual
character, nothing strange or tragic about it, but rather the antithesis,
quiet and unostentatious, a life that has resulted in no harm to those who
have come under the influence of the subject. He is one of the "boys in
blue", to whom all honor is due.
Elbridge Robinson was born in
Morgan county, Ohio, January 7, 1844, on a farm. He came to Marion county
after the war. Mr. Robinson is the son of Israel and Margaret (Warne)
Robinson, the former having been born March 3, 1804, in Brook county, West
Virginia, who came to Ohio when six years old, a pioneer of the woods. He
became a public man and served one term in the Legislature. He was a Whig.
Israel Robinson was one of eleven children, a prominent man in his locality.
He died in 1872. The mother of the subject was born in Muskingum county,
Ohio, in 1812, being a member of a family consisting of twelve children, six
girls and an equal number of boys. The parents of the subject married
December 31, 1829. Our subject is the only one of six children living.
Elbridge Robinson spent his early life on a farm. His education was
secured in the common school and at Roos College at Sharon, Ohio. When only
sixteen years old he obtained a certificate to teach, and successfully
taught school both before and after the war. His services were in great
demand for he gained quite a reputation as an able educator.
As
already intimated, Mr. Robinson was one of the brave sons of the North who
offered his life in defense of his country, having enlisted in Company C,
One Hundred and Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in August, 1862,
under the command of Colonel Ball, a judge at Zanesville, Ohio, and he
served until the close of the war with much credit. He was wounded at Cold
Harbor, June 3, 1864, which wound did not heal until after the close of the
war. He was in the battles of Milroy's Defeat in June, 1863, Locust Grove in
November, 1863, also fought at the Wilderness and at Spottsylvania, and
several other engagements, some of his comrades having been killed in every
battle. He was all through the strenuous Wilderness campaign. He has a
congressional medal of honor for heroic service, having saved a fallen
comrade from being captured by the Confederates. The unfortunate man was
Price Worthington of Company B. One Hundred and Twenty-second Regiment, the
same as that of our subject. Mr. Robinson rushed back in the face of the
enemy's fire through their lines and saved Mr. Worthington. After his return
he was warmly congratulated by the officers and men for his heroic deed. He
was then only nineteen years old. He is remembered by his government by a
pension.
Mr. Robinson was united in marriage on March 3, 1870, to
Moretta Reichert and to this union the following children were born: Fora,
born February 21, 1872, married Mamie Smith; they are living in Vernon, and
are the parents of two children; Lewis was born April 12, 1874, and died
January 13, 1898; Harry was born October 21, 1877. The subject's first wife
died in 1877. He was again married, his second wife being Martha L.
Peddicord, the daughter of A. M. and Mary Peddicord. No children were born
to this union. But a little child, Bertrice Reynolds, whose parents and
family had just moved to the village in very destitute circumstances with
mother sick, the little six months' old Bertrice was found by Mrs. Robinson
while on one of her visits of charity in an out building with scarcely any
clothing or attention. Her sympathetic nature prompted her to carry the
little waif to her home and assume the duties of mother. By proper consent
she has ever since remained with her new found parents to scatter sunshine
in their home, and with her affectionate disposition and loving words cheer
their declining years down life's shaded pathway.
The life of our
subject has been spent on a farm and in the mercantile business, both of
which he made a pronounced success of, and was enabled to lay up an ample
competence for his old age which he is spending in comfort and peace in
quiet retirement. He is the owner of four hundred and fifteen acres of
valuable land in a high state of cultivation and highly improved, being one
of the model farms in Patoka township. He has a substantial and well
furnished home, an excellent barn and convenient out buildings, and he
always keeps good stock of various kinds. He lives in Vernon at this
writing.
Mr. Robinson has always been a Republican, however, he has
never aspired to positions of public trust, preferring to lead a quiet life
and devote his time to his individual business. He is a great reader,
keeping posted on all current events. He is a deep thinker, has an excellent
memory and is a very interesting conversationalist. He is held in high
esteem by all who know him.
Extracted 27 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 476-477.