JOHN WESLEY ROBINSON

 

     John Wesley Robinson, b October 9, 1855 in Alabama, d September 13, 1901 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas and buried there in Calvary Cemetery - was a son of William E. Robinson, who failed to return from his Civil War service with the Confederate States Army, and his wife, Ann Elizabeth (Freeman) Robinson. Ann Elizabeth, with her two young children, joined a group of family and friends who left Coosa County, Alabama after the Civil War, and traveled by wagon train to Texas, settling in Brazos County.

     In January 1878, John Wesley Robinson was married to Mary Kelly (called "Mollie"), b October 30, 1855

in Brazos County, Texas, d May 23, 1935 and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin, Falls County, Texas - a daughter of Alfred and Geraldine (Reed) Kelly. Alfred Kelly received an early land grant from the Mexican Government prior to the independence of Texas. His wife, Geraldine (Reed) Kelly, was born in The Republic of Texas December 25, 1837 - a daughter of Wilson and Mary Jane (Carter) Reed, and a granddaughter of Michael and Martha (Burnett) Reed and Richard and Elizabeth Carter -all settlers of Texas (then Mexico) in the early 1830's. The Carters received their land through a grant from Stephen F. Austin; the Reeds received land grants as members of Sterling Clack Robertson's Colony. Wilson Reed was one of the fighters in the battle against the Indians in January 1839, after the massacre at the George Morgan in present- day Falls County. Wilson Reed was knocked from his horse during that battle, the Indians were coming at him full-speed, and he cried, "Oh Lord, Mary Ann is a widow." Another soldier grabbed him up on his horse, bearing him to safety; and Mary Ann failed to become a widow that day.

     John Wesley Robinson moved his family to Marlin, Falls County, Texas in 1882 - having been elected and serving as Brazos County District Clerk. In Marlin, he first joined the business of T. W. Griffith, which became J. W. Robinson and Company in 1892. About 1900, the business was incorporated as Nash, Robinson and Company.

     Mr. Robinson served as a director of First National Bank of Marlin, as did his son in subsequent years. He and Mollie" were the parents of three children:

     Lionel Aulis Robinson (called "Onie"), b December 14, 1878 in Brazos County, Texas, d May 15, 1945- married May McSween Harris, b August 9, 1882, d July 31, 1955 - a daughter of Norvell Ward and Ida Frances (McSween) Harris. Norvell Ward Harris was of a pioneer spirit, which took him from his native Virginia to Colorado and Utah, where he served as a Wagon Master and Scout. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he served with the Confederate States Army with Lee's First Virginia Calvary. At the end of the Civil War, he came to Burnet County, Texas, where he farmed, and then settled in the Robinson area of McLennan County, Texas.

     William A. Robinson, b June 28, 1884 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas, d December 24, 1937 and buried in Calvary Cemetery in Marlin - married Rosalie Chambers, b January 14, 1884, d August 1, 1961 and buried in Calvary Cemetery by her husband. They had Katherine, who married Ed Cox; John Wesley II, and Louise, who married T. J. Spear.

     Lillie May Robinson, who died in infancy.

 

 

 

 

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 393 column 2 and page 384 column 1.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.