Source: Portrait & Biographical Album, Whiteside Co., IL
Originally published 1885 - Chapman Bros., Chicago, IL  
Reproduced on CD - Purchased CD from "Old Glory Accents"

Transcribed by: Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Pages 260-263

Frank H. Robinson, of the firm of S. W. Robinson & Brother, dealers in hardware and agricultural implements at Morrison, was born March 5, 1837, in Zanesville, Ohio, and is the youngest surviving child of his parents, Robert P. and Mary J. (Culbertson) Robinson.His father, whose business career is outlined in the sketch of S. W. Robinson on other pages of this work, put him when 14 years of age in the position of an assistant in the hardware store, of which the former was proprietor at Zanesville for more than 20 years.

In the spring of 1856 he came to Sterling in this county, and continued in the capacity of salesman there until the subsequent autumn, when he came to Morrison and opened a branch hardware store in the interest of his father. He conducted its relations singly until the spring of 1857, when he was joined by his brother, Samuel W. In the fall of the same year the latter became the owner of the stock and business interests by purchase, Mr. F. H. Robinson continuing to operate as a clerk until he became interested in the progress and issues of the Civil War.

The awakening of his zeal  and enthusiasm resulted in his enrollment as a soldier of the Union Army. In July, 1861, he enlisted at Lyons, Iowa, as private in Co. B, First Iowa Cav., under Capt. Wm. E. Leffingwell. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Frontier in Missouri. Mr. Robinson remained a member of the :First Iowa: two years. He was mustered out July 14, 1863, to accept a commission as First Lieutenant of Co. H, 11th Mo. Cav. He entered upon the work of recruiting, and after enlisting 57 men at Rolla, Mo., he was made Captain, his commission dating Dec. 27, 1864. He continued to hold his command until his dischaarge. He was musted out of the military service of the United States in August, 1865, at St. Louis, Mo., and returned to Morrison. He purchased a half interest in the business of his brother, and the firm of S. W. Robinson & Brother have since continued their operations as dealers in hardware and agricultural implements without interruption. They carry a stock of extensive value and well assorted, making a specialty of agricultural machinery. Their business requires three regular assistants, and at times neccessitates the employment of a force of double that number. In addition to the avenues of business named they do all varieties of work as tinners, as roofing, spouting, the manufacture of creamery goods, etc.

Mr. Robinson is connected with the Order of the Grand Army of the Republic.

His marriage to Carrie E. Clark took place Dec. 23, 1873, at Morrison, and their three children were born as folows: Frank C., Jan. 5, 1877; Minnie B., April 1, 1880; Edith A., born April 7, 1882, died Sept. 5. 1883. Mrs. Robinson was born in Lyndon Township. She is the daughter of Alpheus and Augusta Clark, and her parents were among the earliest of the permanent white settlers of Whiteside County. Her father was a Major in the Eighth Ill. Vol. Cav., and died from the effects of a woud received at Beverly Ford. Post Alpheus Clark, No. 116, G. A. R., at Morrison, is named in honor of his devotion to the Union cause and gallant services in its defense.