Arno C. Robinson
Among those who have borne a substantial and helpful part in the development and progress of the Hanging Rock Iron Region during modern times, one deserving of special mention is Arno C. Robison, of Ironton. An able and successful lawyer, a former auditor of Lawrence County, a worker in public spirited enterprise, and a citizen who has gained hosts of friends in this section of the state.
Arno C. Robison was born in Monroe County, Ohio, February 16, 1874, a son of James W. and Adaline M. (Stark) Robison. His father was born in Noble County, Ohio, in 1836, and now lives retired in Proctorville, Lawrence County. His career during his active years was that of school teaching and farming. The mother, who was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1836, died in 1900. Their seven children are briefly mentioned as follows: Lula B., now Mrs.. C. W. MeClure, of Huntington, West Virginia; Mary E., a teacher in Sharon, Pennsylvania; Margaret, a teacher at Huntington, West Virginia; Ralph, a salesman in Huntington, West Virginia; Arno C.; Chester T., a bookkeeper for one of the lumber companies at Ironton; and Etta, now Mrs. Konns, of Huntington, West Virginia.
The early education of Arno C. Robison was acquired at the common schools of Crown City, Ohio, and at LaBelle, Ohio, and his higher training was at the Ohio Northern University at Ada. Twelve years were spent in teaching, and during six years of that time he was on the examining board. His career as a teacher was followed by his election to the office of county auditor of Lawrence County, and he was one of the county officials at the time the present courthouse was erected. It is the judgment of people well informed that the business of the auditor's office was never better managed than during the six years Mr. Robison had charge. After leaving that office he entered the law department of the Northern Ohio University at Ada, and continued his studies until graduating LL. B. in 1911. Since then he has been in active practice at Ironton, and his partner is J. L. Anderson, the Nestor of the Lawrence county bar. His success as an attorney has been due to his high standing as a citizen and gentleman, his broad acquaintance over the county, and a demonstrated ability for handling the intricate problems of the law whether in office or before a jury.
Mr. Robison is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of the Golden Eagle, both Lodge and Encampment of Odd Fellowship and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. Among his business interests he is a stockholder in the Marting Iron & Steel Company, has stock in the Ironton Portland Cement Company and in the Home Telephone Company. He is one of the trustees of the sinking fund of the City of Ironton. Politically his work has been with the republican party. While at college he was a member of the Cadet Corps and in the company which won the flag for being the best drilled company in the entire corps. Mr. Robison and family occupy one of the comfortable residences of Ironton. and his other property holdings include 122 acres of improved farm land in Rome Township of Lawrence County. He is assisting in the development work which is transforming Lawrence County to a fine fruit section by planting a large part of his land in fruit trees.
Mr. Robison was married April 20, 1899, at Proctorville, Lawrence County, to Emma Eaton, daughter of John Eaton, a farmer. They are the parents of four children: James C, Dwight E., John H., deceased, and Alice M.
From "A Standing History of the Hanging Rock Iron Region of Ohio" by Eugene B. Willard, Daniel W. Williams, George O. Newman and Charles B. Taylor. Published by Lewis Publishing Company, 1916