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BATTLE CREEK BY A. D. P. VAN BUREN
Joshua Robinson was a native of Massachusetts, and settled upon his lands, just over the line in Le Roy, some time in 1836. He was another of those excellent men whose characters we can refer to as examples of honesty, sobriety, virtue, and industry. In religious belief he was an Universalist, in politics a Whig till he became a Republican. He had, in 1843 or 1844, been won over to Fourierism as it was put to practice in the Alphadelphian system on Toland Prairie. He, putting in his farm, joined this society. After two years' experience he became heartily sick of this new school and its teachers. He left it. But it was by some considerable sacrifice of property that he got his old farm back again. He was accustomed, afterwards, when this subject was mentioned, to call it "the two years he went to school among the Alpha-delphians. "
Mr. Robinson combined strong intelligence and good hard sense in his character. He was an excellent farmer, neighbor and townsman. I saw him one day at his home painting an agricultural implement, and asked him. why he painted the under side of the timbers. He replied, "I don't paint merely for show, but for the good of the thing. The paint preserves the bottom as well as the top. " Many years ago he was "gathered to his fathers, " leaving a memory that is a rich inheritance to his children. Mrs. Robinson lives with her daughter, Mrs. Robert Mason, near their old home. Mr. Alonzo J. Robinson, the oldest son, lives on his farm adjoining the old place. He has beautiful buildings, fine orchards, and is one of the most successful farmers. The other three sons are in different parts of the State
Michigan
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