Hamilton H. Robinson
Hamilton H. Robinson. The progenitor of this branch of the Robinson family in America was Anthony, a physician, who came from Ireland and settled in Washington County, Penn., where he died in 1812. He had a family of four children, three being sons--John, Anthony and George. Of these, Anthony located in Wayne County, Ohio, in 1821, and bought 160 acres of land, one mile northeast of Fredericksburgh, where he lived over thirty years, dying there October 29, 1851, at the age of seventy-seven years. He first married Mary Rogers, who bore him six children: George, Samuel, Mary, Margaret, Ann and Hester. After the death of his first wife, Anthony Robinson married Jane Wilson, and by her had two children: Anthony and Eleanor Jane.
His second son, Samuel, was born in Wsshington County, Penn., October 4, 1798. He studied surveying at Wooster Ohio, under the instruction of Rev. Edward Thomson, who was afterward president of the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, and still later a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At the organization of Holmes County, Samuel Robinson located at Millersburgh, and from that time until his death was identified with the county's growth and development. February 19, 1825, the second day of the first Common Pleas Court held in the county, he was appointed county surveyor for a term of five years, his commission bearing date March 14, 1825, same being signed by Jeremiah Morrow, Governor of Ohio. At the March term of court, 1830, he was appointed his own successor, his second commission bearing date May 3, 1830, signed by A. Trimble, Governor. This was afterward made an elective office, to which he was several times elected, and he continued in the business as a private surveyor until within a few weeks of his death. In 1827 he was appointed quartermaster of the Fourth Brigade, Fourteenth Division, State Militia of Ohio, his commission signed by A. Trimble, and bearing date August 13, 1827. On the incorporation of the village of Millersburgh he had but fifty cents in money, there being but little money in circulation at that time. In 1826 he taught a subscription school in the town, agreeing in the contract to teach spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic at the rate of $1.50 per scholar for each quarter, two-thirds to be furnished in produce and one-third in cash, the scholars to furnish firewood, etc. Although he commenced poor, by a life of industry and economy he accumulated a fair portion of this world's goods. February 28, 1828, Mr. Robinson married Lucinda, daughter of Stephen Harris, residing near Massillon, Ohio. He died September 21, 1873, aged seventy-five years, his wife surviving him until October 27, 1886. To them were born three children: Hamilton H., John W. and Sybil M. Of these, John W. died when four months old; Sybil M. is the wife of Charles D. Beegle, of Millersburgh.
Hamilton H. Robinson was born in Millersburgh, Holmes Co., Ohio, December 12, 1828, and his life has been spent in the town of his birth. He was given a common-school education. For over six years he filled the position of assistant revenue assessor, an office created by reason of the War of the Rebellion. In 1873 he was elected county surveyor, in which capacity he served three years. In 1882 he was elected county commissioner, serving six years and one month, his duties in that office being quite arduous, as during that time the new courthouse and the Children's Home were built, and he was superintendent of construction. May 26, 1856, Mr, Robinson married Mary E. Teisher, who was born in Washington County, Md., February 10, 1834, and they have three children: Lucy A., Stephen H. and Ella T. Lucy A. married P.G. Palmer and has two children--Pearl and Guy; Ella T. married S. B. Bailey, Esq.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889