My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES M. ROBINSON. The name of this much respected citizen is well known in Seneca County, for he has been successfully engaged in the arduous duties of his farm in this locality for many years, and now owns one of the most productive and best cultivated tracts in the locality. This property consists of one hundred and twenty acres in the town of Fayette, where Mr. Robinson lives, besides a portion of the old homestead.

Our subject was born in the town of Varick, this county, January 22, 1845, his parents being Norman and Sarah (Ellwood) Robinson, the former a native of Cayuga County, and the latter of Allegany County, this state. Norman Robinson was brought to this locality by his father, John Robinson, when a boy, and with him lived in the town of Varick, becoming one of the substantial residents of the county. In politics he was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks and was ever after a warm advocate of its principles. A very, public-spirited man, he was one of the first to favor any advanced step in the county, either in an agricultural or educational way. In the ranks of his party he was very popular, and by it was elected to various positions of trust. In religious affairs he was a Methodist, being a Class-leader and a prominent worker in that denomination, and was also Steward for many years, contributing liberally to the support of the congregation. He was a strong temperance man, and was connected with the Good Templars’ Society. Much of the time he was in poor health, but his death, June 7, 1878, resulted from injuries received by being thrown from a road-scraper. His wife still survives, and makes her home on the old place.

The parental family included four children, of whom our subject was the eldest, and all are living with one exception. Charles M. grew to manhood on the farm in the town of Varick, and after completing his education in the schools of that neighborhood, carried on his studies for one year in Ovid Seminary. One year prior to attaining his majority his father purchased a tract of land, which he desired to deed to our subject as soon as the latter had accumulated $1,000, which was to be paid on it. Charles worked a farm on shares until about 1873, when he established a general merchandise business, carrying on a profitable trade for five years. In 1878 he became the proprietor of the farm whereon he now makes his home, and in the cultivation of this tract he has been more than usually successful and prosperous.

Mr. Robinson was married on Thanksgiving Day, in 1880, to Miss Charlotte Hendricks, of Fayette. She was born, however, in Bennettsburg, Schuyler County, and was the daughter of Henry and Melissa (Ellis) Hendricks. To Mr. and Mrs. Robinson was born one child, who died in infancy.

Following in the footsteps of his honored father, our subject has always voted for Republican candidates, and in 1868 cast his first Presidential ballot for Grant. He has been Inspector of Elections, but aside from this has always been too busy with his own affairs to give much attention to politics. Religiously he is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and socially is a member of East Fayette Lodge No. 40, P. of H. In May of the year 1890 he was deprived of the companionship of his devoted wife. She was a most estimable lady, and was loved by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. Mr. Robinson is pleasantly located, and commands the respect of the whole neighborhood.