Representative Ira Emmett Robinson View All Years

Memorial to the Honorable Ira E. Robinson of Monroe County

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of the late Honorable Ira E. Robinson, begs leave to submit the following memorial:

Ira E. Robinson was one of the eight children of Robert and Lois Robinson. He was born June 6, 1865, on a farm south of Albia, Iowa, in Monroe county.

His father and grandfather had come to Iowa in the forties from Kentucky. There is a story in the family that, although Daniel Boone’s daughter was the first white child born in Kentucky, Ira’s great-uncle Bob was the first white boy born in that state.

Ira enjoyed recalling the good times and the hardships in the pioneer farm home, the hospitality of his mother, and the changes which had taken place in the country since his boyhood.

He was a member of the Christian Church, which was an important part of his life. The Albia Christian Church was organized in the home of his grandfather, and his parents were very active in the church work.

He was married March 25, 1896, to Flora Lemley. To this union were born two sons and two daughters. One of Ira’s greatest desires was to give his children an education. This was accomplished not without sacrifice on the part of the parents, especially when all four children were in college at the same time.

Ira lived sixty-five years on the home farm. He loved the land and built it up as long as he lived on it. He also took pride in his livestock.

He was one of the first in his community to be interested in the Farm Bureau and later served as county president. In 1920 he traveled over Missouri on a membership drive for that organization.

He had a never-failing interest in people of all types. His friends were valued highly. He had the privilege of serving them as a member of the county board of supervisors and as state Representative. Truly it can be said of him that he loved his fellow man.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Fifty-third General Assembly of Iowa: That in the death of Ira E. Robinson, the state mourns the loss of one of its honored and distinguished citizens and the House, by this resolution, tenders its sincere sympathy to the surviving family in their sorrow; and

Be It Further Resolved: That a copy of this resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be instructed to send an enrolled copy to the members of the family of the deceased.

JAMES W. FOSTER,

JOHN HANSEN,

GENE POSTON,

Committee.