The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-11-23
OBITUARY.


| which made deep impression upon men,
| women and children of all ages and con-
| ditions, giving solemn notice to us all
that brittle is the thread of life, and that
the lease we have of it is of exceedingly
| uncertain duration.
It was the startling announcement that
| the Hon. Thomas Robinson, of Mantle
| voc DIETER known and more affectionate
ly remembered as 'sTom Robinson'O was
| dead, solemn fact that could hardly be
realized, which, alas has proven too
true. The deceased Tor, as we prefer to
call him, our old friend ''Tom'') had iv
was known by almost every man, woman
and child in the city, and was of such
marked character that entities his mem
DRY to more than a passing notice.
He was born at Church Stretton, in
Shropshire, England, on the 9th day of
January, 1929, and was in his 49th year.
He received good business education,
and in 1852 left old England to try his
fortune in America. He arrived at Ke-
nosha, Wis, about Christmas of that
year, and was engaged as clerk in the
drug store of his uncle, the Hon. Fred
rick Robinson, of that city. In Novem-
| Der, 1854, he came to Manitowoc, then
but small hamlet, bought out and took
possession of the small drug store then
run by Mr.. Deming.
| In 1857 his only brother, John, left
| England and came straight to Mantle
VOC. and Immediately entered into part
nership with his senior, under the firm
name of T. & J. Robson, which part
nership continued to grow, thrive and
prosper from the day of its birth until
this hour; and from small beginnings by
industry, honor and integrity the firm
built up one of the largest drug business
in the State of Wisconsin.
In the fall of 1859 the lamented de-
ceased married a daughter of Mr.. VIM.
Phipps, an esteemed citizen of Manito-
voc, by whom he had daughter, now
| about II years OF age.
In 1867 the enlargement of business
| required John to move to Green Bay,
| where the firm had purchased and taken
possession of large business, leaving
the longest and best known partner here
with us, where he remained until the
hour of his death which took place about
|
AS is known to every one who knew
him, deceased was of remarkably robust
constitution and frame, and never look
ed better or was more cheerful than the
day before he died. He retired to bed
late-about 12-and complained of some
pain in his side, which was nothing un
usual He had been in bed not more
than twenty minutes, when his wife was
awakened by gurgling noise in his
| throat, and taking the symptoms for
nightmare she tried to arouse him, but
could not she obtained light, called
for help, but her beloved husband Meth
er knew her or anything else. Medical
aid was Immediately summoned, but
when the physician arrived the lamp of
household was no more, leaving not only
the stricken inmates of the house in sor-
row and mourning, but every one else
who knew him-and there name is leg
ion--and well they may, for with all his
faults Che had some, who has not p he
was the best friend of the poor this city
could boast of, not demonstrative in his
charities, but, as is known to many,
keeping the left hand ignorant of what
the right hand was doing; and it may be
safely said that no child in this whole
city ever went to bed hungry with his
knowledgel We would rather have the
blessings and benedictions that are to-
day showered upon his memory, for our
earthly crown, than the loftiest marble
shaft that ever pierced the clouds. We
fear that when Christmas comes round,
many, very many, scarty boards will be
much leaner and scantier in the absence
of the Iamented tender and large heart
} ed "Tom - and if feeding the hungry,
clothing the naked, remembering the
widows and orphans, caring and provid-
ing for the destitute does procure a key
to the Celestial City, the much mourned
departed carries it with him to the eter-
nal world.
Deceased was an ardent if not an en-
: ! NocC,, mfr rJ,o.
ed, did more for the advancement of the
5 order than any member in Manitowoc
, He was made Master Mason In 1857,
| passed through numerous degrees, and
| became a member of the Manitowot
Chapter in 1857, and at the time of his
death was the highest officer in the
| Chapter, which shows the esteem he was
held in by his brethren. He was also 6
member of the Odd Fellows Lodge here
) in Manitowoc, and has belonged to the
{ Manitowoc Fire Department either as az
active or honorary member, and one OF
J the most efficient of its members, ever
/ since his advent to Manitowoc.
In 1867 he was elected Assemblymar
for the Manitowoc District and served
one term, and while in Madison made
many friends. He was several times
elected Coroner of the county and near.
ly everybody voted for him. That he
, was public spirited citizen is well at
tested by the part he took in all general
, improvements, especially in school mat
ters. and the beautiful First District