My Genealogy Hound

John M. Robinson, a skillful blacksmith, of Elm Springs, Ark., was born in Alabama in 1838, and is a son of Archibald Robinson, who was also born in Alabama, and was overseer on a plantation. He was married to Sarah French, and their union was blessed in the birth of two children, their son, John M., being reared on a plantation in his native State. At the age of sixteen years he determined to carve out his own future, and accordingly went to Texas, where he remained seven months, and then took up his abode in Arkansas, locating at first in Lafayette County, where he was engaged in tilling the soil and learning the blacksmith’s trade, and afterward, in 1860, settled in Franklin County. In February, 1868, he joined the Federal army, and served in Company C, First Arkansas Infantry, until 1864, and was then promoted to lieutenant in Company A, same regiment, and served until the close of the war, participating, in the following battles: Elk Horn, Polson Spring and Jenkin’s Ferry, besides numerous skirmishes. He was married while in Lafayette County, Ark., in 1868, to Miss Mary J. Waldrip, who was born in Alabama in 1840, and by her became the father of four children: Mary E., James Monroe, Sarah A. and Henry D. Mr. Robinson remained in Franklin County, Ark., farming and working at his trade until 1873, when he came to Washington County, locating near Elm Springs, and in 1883 became a member of the blacksmith firm of Smith & Robinson. Mr. Robinson is a stanch supporter of the principles of the Republican party, and is a member of the A. F. & A. M. and G. A. R. All the family belong to the Christian Church.