Bio: Robinson, Joseph (1923)

Contact: Stan.

Surnames: Robinson, Toothell, Pitts, Chase, Niles, Williams

----Source: History of Wood County, Wis. (1923) pages 554-555

Joseph Robinson, now deceased, a pioneer whose name is closely associated with much of the development of Wood Township, was born in Pennsylvania, Oct. 21, 1849, son of Barney B. and Jane (Toothell) Robinson. The parents, natives of Pennsylvania, were engaged in farming there until they came to Wood County, and subsequently followed that occupation here for the remainder of their lives; both are now deceased. Joseph Robinson, after attending school in Pennsylvania for a time, went to Chicago, where he made his home with his aunt while continuing his education. At the outbreak of the Civil War he returned to Pennsylvania and enlisted in the 107th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, serving with that organization until 1864, being then discharged on account of disability. He then came to Wood County and settled at Pittsville with his father, who had bought a tract of wild land here. He assisted his father in the operation and development of this property, and in 1876 bought for his own account a 40-acre tract of heavily timbered land in Section 13, Wood Township. He built a house on this property, and accomplished the task of clearing the land, building up a good farm, which he operated until his death, Aug. 25, 1912. In addition to his original holdings he also owned 20 acres of the tract which had been his father's home, which he had inherited on the death of the father. Mr. Robinson was a man of exceptional ability and devotion to public interests, and the years of his residence here form an important chapter in the history of the development of this region. He was chairman of the township board for three terms in which capacity he was also a member of the county board. He was treasurer of the township for 15 years, and also served as township supervisor and as a member of the school board. Mr. Robinson was married in Wood Township, April 7, 1878, to Ida Pitts, who was born in Pittsville, Jan. 15, 1861, daughter of Oliver W. and Freelove (Chase) Pitts. Mrs. Robinson was of the well-known Pitts family who were the prime movers in the development of Wood Township; her father, Oliver W. Pitts, came to Wood County in 1855 and started a sawmill on the site of the present city of Pittsville; he was. active in organizing the city itself, and it was in his honor that it received its name, His wife, Freelove Chase Pitts, was from Pennsylvania State. Mr. and Mrs. Oliver W. Pitts, both of whom are now deceased, were the parents of four children, all daughters, of whom two, Iverbel and Olive, are now deceased; those living are: Susan, now the wife of Levi Niles, of Adams County, Wis., and Ida, now Mrs. Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson had 11 children, of whom eight are now living, as follows: Byron, Flora, Wright, Lillian, Martin, James, George and Earl. Those deceased were Frances, Joan, and Pearl. Byron is now living at White Lake, Wis. Lillian is the wife of Louis Williams, of Minneapolis. Martin is living at Hiles, Wis. James, now of Minneapolis, spent a year in active service in France with a machine gun company during the World War. Wright also served with the military forces during that conflict, but did not reach the zone of active operations. George is now at home managing the farm, and Earl is also at home. After Mr. Robinson's death Mrs. Robinson continued the operation of the farm, and it has remained under the management of the family with the exception of a short time during which it was rented. Mrs. Robinson is still living on the farm, and is a highly respected member of the community. She has 19 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.