Roy Ronald Robinson (1899 - 2000)

Born 6 Nov 1899 in Clay Township, Wayne, Iowa, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Elvessa Ellis — married 12 Oct 1924 in Louisiana, Pike, Missouri, United States

Descendants

Died 8 Jan 2000 at age 100 in Auburn, Lincoln, Missouri, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Stephanie Ross [send private message] and Timothy Peterman [send private message]

Biography

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Census

Census 1940: Roy Robinson / b: abt 1900 in IA / Head / Living in Union, Lincoln, Missouri

Census 1930: Roy R Robinson / b: abt 1903 in MO / S.I.L. / Living in Union, Lincoln, Missouri

Census 1920: Ray R Robinson / b: abt 1900 in IA / Son / Living in Richman, Wayne, Iowa

Census 1910: - / b: abt - in - / - / Living in -

Census 1900: Roy Robinson / b: abt Nov 1899 in IA / Son / Living in Clay, Wayne, Iowa^[2]

Tim sent an article from the Corydon, IA Times Republican dated Nov. 30, 1999. Article discussed how Roy, at age 100, visited the Humeston, Iowa, Livestock Auction at age 100. He bought 18 heifers. It also offered pictures of him on horseback on the occasion of his 100th birthday! He fulfilled one of his goals of seeing three centuries.^[3]

Roy Ronald ROBINSON (Perry-Lena) was born on Nov. 6, 1899 in Clay Twp., Wayne Co., IA, the son of Perry Allen ROBINSON and Lena Leota COFFEY. The Humeston New Era contained the following announcement on Nov. 15, 1899:

“Born, to Mr. and Mrs. Perry Robinson, on November 6, a son.”

He was enumerated with his parents in the 1900 census. The Humeston New Era contained the following notice on May 29, 1907:

“Master Roy Robinson is suffereing from the effects of a broken arm, caused by being thrown from his pony while after the cows. He is getting along nicely.”

He was enumerated with his parents in the 1910 census. The 1915 Iowa state census showed that Roy Robinson, age 15 born in Iowa, lived at Rt. 1, Humeston, Washington Twp., Wayne Co., IA, employed as a Laborer, with no reported church affiliation. His father was born in Iowa and his mother was born in Illinois. World War I Selective Service records show that Roy Ronald Robinson, born Nov. 6, 1899, age 18, lived at Rt. 2, Humeston, Wayne Co., IA in 1918, and that his occupation was “Farmer”, employed by Perry Robinson of Humeston, IA. He was described as of medium stature and medium build, with brown eyes and brown hair. [Note: He actually had blue eyes.] His nearest relative was father, Perry Robinson of Humeston, IA. The Humeston New Era contained the following article on Dec. 10, 1919:

“SOME GOOD BABY BEEVES “Hunter & Robinson last week shipped to Chicago three steers which had been fed by Roy Robinson at the Hunter farm, which were as good as any, if not the best, shipped from Humeston for several years. “One was a purebred Shorthorn, white in color, which the owners had bought of Ed Shipley last December at that time weighing 1050 pounds, costing $126.00; this steer netted $324.00, weighing 1700 in Chicago; age two years and four months. “One was still a yearling, being 23 months old and weighed 1450 in Chicago, netting $276.00; this was a red Whiteface, having a pure-bred Angus sire and had been fed at the Hunter farm since a calf. “The third steer was a red one put on feed at twelve months of age weighing then 680; and weighed in Chicago 1420 after 13 months feed. “The later steer was not so well finished as those fed their life time but the three sold at $19.50 per hundred weight. The three steers total net was $870.00. No account was kept of the amount of feed these steers consumed; they were fed ear corn, oats and oil meal and had access to a small pasture nights. “A very good job of feeding, Roy.”

He was enumerated with his parents in the 1920 census. In the early 1920s, he began to attend the Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, Livingston Co., MO, where he was studying telegraphy.

Roy Ronald ROBINSON and Elvessa ELLIS were married on Oct. 12, 1924 at Louisiana, Pike Co., MO. The Silex Index contained the following announcement on Oct. 16, 1924:

“Miss Elvessa Ellis, accompanied by her sister, Miss Jessie Ellis and Glenn Raney, motored to Louisiana Sunday where she met and was united in marriage to Mr. Roy Robinson of Homiston, Ia., the marriage ceremony being performed by the Baptist minister of that city. The happy young couple departed immediately after the ceremony for Chicago where they will spend their honeymoon. They will reside upon their return near Chillicothe, where the bride was attending business college when she met the young man of her choice. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Ida Ellis, east of town, and is a pretty and accomplished young lady and numbers her friends by the legion. The groom, while a stranger to many of us, is said by those who know him, to be a very exemplary young man. The INDEX joins with their many friends in wishing them a long and happy married life.”

As of 1928, they lived in Ashley, Pike Co., MO. They were enumerated with her mother in the 1930 census.

The 1940 census of Union Twp., Lincoln Co., MO showed their family as:

• Robinson...Roy................40...C 1 year......Iowa
• ...................Elvessa.........35...C 1 year......Mo.
• ...................Louise...........12...6th grade...Mo.
• ...................Roy Ellis..........9...3rd grade...Mo.
• ...................Martha Lee.....7...1st grade...Mo.

They lived elsewhere in Lincoln Co., MO in 1935. He owned the house, valued at $350. Roy Robinson was the informant. His occupation was described as “Farmer”. Louise Robinson answered a supplemental question, and identified her father’s birthplace as Iowa and her mother’s birthplace as Missouri.

World War II Draft Cards Young Men (1940-47) contain an entry for Roy Ronald Robinson at RFD 1, Elsberry, Lincoln Co., MO; born Nov. 6, 1899. He was registered Feb. 16, 1942; age 42; born in Wayne Co., IA; contact Mrs. R. R. Robinson, Wife; self employed; was 5’8”, 134 pounds, blue eyes, gray hair, and a light complexion.

Roy and Elvessa (Ellis) Robinson lived in Auburn, Lincoln Co., MO. As of 1970, they were reported to have lived in Elsberry, Lincoln Co., MO; although this was their mailing address, they actually lived at Auburn. The Lincoln County Journal contained the following article in the Neighbors section on Dec. 12, 1989:

“Roy Robinson “’I’ve made no plans to retire. I love what I do.’ “Roy Robinson truly is a good neighbor. He is the kind of neighbor who is always willing to lend a hand and would never try to belittle his friends. “One of Roy’s neighbors, Mike Kavanagh, said it best: ‘Roy doesn’t wish ill on anybody. He’s always looking out for others.’ “Roy Robinson was born in Iowa on Nov. 16, 1899 [s/b Nov. 6]. This 90 year old cattle farmer, who has been married for 65 years and has three children, has lived in the Lincoln County area since around 1930. Roy and his wife have two farms located where old Auburn once thrived. “’Our farm was quite a city at one time,’ he said. ‘Auburn had a seminary, a post office, a telephone office and a doctor.’ “The old Auburn Inn was an important part of the town at one time. In 1941, Roy tore town the old inn and used the lumber to build his barn. Six months later, a lady who had lived there showed up on Roy’s farm and was very upset with him for removing the old inn. “’I’m sorry I didn’t leave the inn standing,’ Roy said, ‘But, we didn’t think about history then. There is a lot of history in this state that has been lost.’ “While most men would be retired at Roy’s age, he still puts in a full day’s work and loves it. His mornings begin around 7 a.m. or earlier. His daily chores include feeding the cattle and checking his many fences and gates. Roy has about 80 cattle to feed at present, but has had as many as 150 in recent months. In addition, he feeds his neighbor’s cattle when they are vacationing. “On Fridays and Mondays, Roy drives his cattle truck to either Bowling Green or Palmyra to buy cattle. Tuesday mornings are spent treating the cattle with various medicines. Although Roy receives help from his neighbors with some of the chores, he prides himself in doing most of it on his own. “’I could do the work all by myself, but it’s a lot for one man. Yes, sir, it’s awful good to have good neighbors.’ “Roy’s cattle truck is huge compared to Roy, yet he has no trouble mounting the iron beast. He chuckled when he said that he often has to help others climb into the big cab. “Roy rarely misses a cattle buying session and does most of the driving himself. “’Very seldom is there a week that I don’t buy cattle and hope someone comes to buy them. If I miss a sale, everyone’s asking me where I was that week.’ “Cattle buyers at the auctions receive numbered cards and Roy has been given cards one, two and three so that he is always certain of his number. “Roy said that he keeps up on the market and bids what he thinks an animal is worth. He said that about 2/3 of the cattle bought at auction are purchased not by the owner but by someone like himself. Roy’s prices are extremely reasonable, charging only $5 per head for the buying and $60 per head for the medicine. “Kavanagh said that he asked Roy once why he didn’t charge more money and Roy wondered what for. He said that he eats three meals a day already and didn’t see why he needed more money. “Roy said that his long healthy life could be attributed to his good attitude. “’Your attitude has lots to do with how you feel,’ he said. “Roy’s friend and neighbor, Bill Long said that Roy’s longevity might be credited to his being married to the same woman for 65 years. He also said that Roy eats right and avoids junk food. “Roy said that he doesn’t eat salt, sugar or white flour because they aren’t good for you. He also has never smoked, drank only moderately and takes a few vitamins. “’I don’t use salt at all and I don’t miss it,’ he said. ‘Those people who use a lot of salt don’t know what food really tastes like. “Kavanagh related a story about when he and Roy drove past a farm that was really big and quite wealthy. Kavanagh asked Roy if he wouldn’t like to have a place like that and Roy replied that he would like to have it but would want that farmer to have something better. That kind of selflessness could be Roy’s secret. “’There is a lot less stress if you look at life that way,’ Kavanagh said. “For 30 or 40 years of Roy’s life, he broke and trained horses. He developed quite a reputation as someone who could round up any old wild group of loose cattle and many of his neighbors would call him when their livestock went astray. Roy was always happy to lend a hand and was always successful in doing so. “’The neighbors would come get me when they had cow trouble,’ he said. ‘I’d get on my horse and ride over there to help out. You gotta be in the right place at the right time and you can’t scare them. You gotta be as quiet as you can and out figure them.’ “Roy’s skill at horseback riding stems from growing up on a horse. “’There were no trucks in those days so we rode horses everywhere,’ he said. “When Roy was a teenager, he would drive his cattle from the family farm to the train station. From there, the cattle were shipped to Chicago where Roy said the biggest cattle yards in the country were located. “’Driving cattle takes a lot of know how,’ he said. ‘I’ve been quite a cow puncher all of my life.’ “Roy doesn’t ride as much as he once did, but he still mounts a horse with confidence and he was still breaking wild horses at the age of 85. “Roy recently celebrated his 90th birthday with a surprise party given in his honor at Tievoli Hills. Some of his relatives from Iowa made the trip to attend the party and Roy said that he was really surprised and pleased. “Being 90 years old, most people would think that Roy should slow down and ‘act his age’. But Roy has other plans. His goal is to have a life that spans three centuries. He will meet that goal on Nov. 16 [s/b Nov. 6], 2000. “’I don’t remember much about my first century, but I plan to know plenty about my last,’ he said.”

The Corydon Times Republican contained the following article on Nov. 30, 1999:

“Robinson still buying cattle at 100 “by Tammy Courter “By 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 100-year-old Roy Robinson started out on a 200 mile trek from Elsberry, Mo., to Humeston, Iowa. He had a job to take care of that day. “Several years ago, Robinson set some goals for himself. One of those was that he would return to the Humeston Livestock Auction when he was 100 years old. “Robinson turned 100 on Nov. 6. Ten days later, he found himself standing in line at the clerk’s counter, waiting to write a check for the 18 heifers he’d just bought. “The heifers had been raised by Robinson’s niece, Yvonne, and her husband, Harold Hemphill. “Like the steers that had been sold ahead of them, the heifers were bunk broke and vaccinated. “Coming from Nichols and Radockovich stock, this was the finest bunch of angus stock to be found in this part of southern Iowa, according to Wagner, who stood down in the ring and tried, with a hoarse voice, to speak loud enough for the buyers to hear him. “Robinson, wearing a beige felt cowboy hat, had been watching the sale with interest. As soon as the auctioneer asked for bids on the Hemphill heifers, Robinson’s hat began to bob furiously. “People who were sitting around him, pointed at Robinson to get the auctioneer’s attention. In the end, he got to take the 18 heifers home. “After the gavel was slapped down, Wagner introduced Robinson to the crowd and announced his age. “There was a round of applause. A gracious Robinson nodded his head in appreciation. “And what auctioneer couldn’t pass up a chance to use Robinson’s age as a selling point for the beef market? “’He’s got a lot of faith,’ Wagner said. “Afterwards, Robinson, surrounded by family and friends, slowly made his way down the steps to the cashier. “He walked with no cane, but did accept Yvonne’s arm to assist him with maneuvering down the stairs. Once on level ground, he was on his own. He gingerly walked across the room to go stand in line to pay for his heifers. “Family and friends watched with pride. One of them caught the moment with a video camera. “Mike Kavanagh had brought Robinson to Humeston and would haul the heifers back in his stock trailer. He couldn’t help but marvel at the man. “A neighbor of 13 years, Kavanagh said he became acquainted with Robinson through horses. Cattle and horses have been Robinson’s life and Kavanagh shows horses. “’He was 86 or 87 when we met. One day, he wanted to go riding and as he was about to mount, I thought he needed a hand so I went over to help him,’ said Kavanagh. “However, Robinson declined the assistance. “’The day I need help getting in a saddle is the day I quit riding,’ Robinson had told him. “Robinson said he quit riding horses about four years ago. The day he sold his horse was no doubt one of the saddest days in his life. “On his 100th birthday, one of the neighbors brought over a horse and Robinson took a ride. “’Well he needed a little help that day,’ said Kavanagh quietly. “But Robinson said the ride ‘felt pretty good.’ “Robinson grew up on a farm ½ mile from the Green Bay neighborhood near Garden Grove. He lived there for 24 years and learned to be a cowboy while working for Marvin Hunter of the Green Bay Stock Farm. “He’s returned to the Humeston sale barn for four of the last five years. He missed the trip last year because he wasn’t feeling well. Kavanagh has driven him each year. “’He’s always told me so much about this area. On the way here, he’ll talk about these hills. He can tell you where everyone lived,’ said Kavanagh. “When Robinson bought his first batch of Hemphill heifers five years ago, he stirred the neighbors up a little. Kavanagh said the next day, they went out and Robinson bought a bull. “’The neighbors all said ‘Why’d you go and let him pay that much for a bull? He’ll never see the calves from the heifers.’ But I figured if it makes him happy, why not?’ said Kavanagh with a gleam in his eye. “There was a huge party to celebrate Robinson’s birthday this year, complete with huge yellow tents and a live band. Over 400 friends and members of his family attended. “Robinson served up 800 angus burgers -the end result from that first batch of heifers. “Robinson said he still has 40 head of cattle and this would be the last bunch he would be buying this year. “If Robinson planned on buying the heifers from the Hemphills, why not buy privately? “’I wouldn’t want to take that away from him. He enjoys the sales so much. They’ve been his life,’ she said. “’Up until six years ago, I was going to cattle sales twice a week,’ Robinson said. ‘I’d buy them on Friday and Monday and then every Tuesday, I’d vaccinate them.’ “He developed a reputation for buying quality and often Robinson said he’d barely get the stock unloaded before someone would be there wanting to buy them. “He said the neighbors give him a lot of help and his son, Roy Ellis, lives with him. “But there have been times when he’s lent a hand to the neighbors. They all know if they ever have trouble gathering their cattle, Robinson is the man to call. “At age 96 [s/b 86], Robinson took his horse to the neighbor’s, 25 miles away. The cattle needed to be brought in so they could be sold, but the attempt to round them up had only caused them to scatter. “When he arrived, he told the neighbors to just leave him alone. Within an hour, every head was rounded up and penned, all done by just Robinson and his horse. “When he went to the house to tell the neighbor the cows were in, the neighbor offered to pay him, but Robinson refused. “’I told him I was doing it because I was his neighbor,’ said Robinson. “Then Robinson’s eyes got watery as he remembered what the friend had said next. “’You know Roy, if we don’t like a doctor, we can always find another doctor. But for us, there is no other Roy.’ “Indeed Robinson is one of a kind. “Once he was called on to help a neighbor break a calf to lead. It was on Friday and the calf was needed on Tuesday when the fair started. “Robinson worked with it over the weekend and the calf ended up brining top honors at the fair. “What was his secret? “’I’m part cow, I guess,’ Robinson said with a grin and a chuckle. “Actually, he said it just takes a little patience and knowing how to work with cows. “And having a good horse. Robinson said there really wasn’t any one horse that stood out in his mind. “’I had several good ones,’ he said. He said a good cow horse is one that will watch the cattle. “He used to break horses and taught kids how to ride on a ranch. “He admits he’s slowed down in the last few years, but still keeps active. Bill Long, a neighbor who also made the trip to Humeston, comes by every day to take him to coffee. “But Robinson drinks Orange juice, not coffee. With a chuckle, he said he doesn’t eat salt and he doesn’t eat white flour, but he does eat a lot of salmon. “’Did you know I have a heart condition?’ he asked suddenly. “But other than that, he’s healthy. “After the cattle were loaded in Kavanagh’s trailer, the two neighbors and Robinson posed for pictures. Then hugs were passed out equally to family and friends. Good-byes and well wishes for a safe trip home were said. “As Robinson got in the truck, he must have been a tired, but happy, man. This year has been a milestone for Robinson. He’s done some things he’d said he wanted to do: ridden a horse, had a party and returned to Humeston. “And what are his goals for the future? “’I just want to live a few more years,’ he said, grinning.”

The Humeston New Era contained an identical article on Nov. 30, 1999.

Roy R. Robinson died on Jan. 8, 2000 in Auburn, Lincoln Co., MO, at the age of 100. He is buried in Mill Creek Cem. north of Auburn, MO. The Lincoln County Journal contained the following obituary on Jan. 18, 2000:

“Funeral services for Roy Ronald Robinson, 100, of Auburn, were held on Monday, Jan. 10 at 10:30 a.m. at the Auburn Presbyterian Church, Auburn. Revs. James Williams and D. Randall Cone officiated. Miss Lynn Gibson sand, ‘Angels Among Us.’ Mrs. Connie Diedrich sang ‘The Old Rugged Cross’ and accompanied herself on the guitar. Mr. L. B. Downing sang ‘How Great Thou Art.’ Also the congregation sang ‘Amazing Grace.’ Mrs. Charlene Edwards was the pianist. Visitation was held Sunday, Jan. 9, 2000, from 3:30 to 8 p.m. at the McCoy & Blossom Funeral Home, Troy and also Monday, Jan. 10 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Auburn Presbyterian Church, Auburn. Interment was in Mill Creek Cemetery, Silex. “Serving as pallbearers were Alfred Gibson, John Peterman, Bill Long, Steve Peterman, Timothy Peterman, and John I. Wilson. Serving as honorary pallbearers were Ray Peterman, Jr., Mark Veasman and David Veasman. “Mr. Robinson died Jan. 8, 2000, at his residence in Auburn. “Mr. Robinson was born Nov. 6, 1899 near Humeston, Wayne Co., Iowa, the son of Perry Allen Robinson and Lena Leota (Coffey) Robinson. While studying telegraphy at the Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, he met Elvessa Ellis, a native of Auburn, Mo. The two were married Oct. 12, 1924, in Louisiana, Mo. Within a few years, they moved to Auburn, where they lived the rest of their lives. “The development of his spiritual heritage was influenced by his maternal grandfather who was a Baptist minister. After coming to Missouri, he and his wife were members of the Louisville Christian Church. Later, they had become members of the Auburn Presbyterian Church. “He was quite well known as a farmer and cattle man. His ability to handle cattle was almost legendary. As a young man, he worked with his father and M. A. Hunter in Iowa, both of whom were his mentors in the cattle business. After coming to Missouri, his resilient personality and positive attitude brought him hundreds of friends. On Oct. 9, 1999, over 400 people helped him celebrate his 100th birthday. One of the memorable moments was when he rode a horse. “In 1996, he became a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, on behalf of the service of his great-great-great grandfather, Nathan Coffey, a private in the North Carolina Militia “As far back as anyone can remember, he was talking about the possibility of living to the year 2000. He wanted to see three centuries. As he developed an in depth interest in health and nutrition, this possibility became one of his major goals in life. “He was preceded in death by his mother (August 2,1928), his father (January 6, 1945), his brother, Herman Allen Robinson (October 29, 1970), his sister, Lucy Adelia Lindow (November 30, 1974), his sister, Mabel Marie Patterson (May 1, 1988), his wife (January 25, 1994), and his daughter, Ella Louise Peterman (March 23, 1999). “Survivors include two children, Roy Ellis Robinson, Auburn, Martha Lee Veasman, Benton, Ark., a son-in-law, Raymond Peterman of Kansas City, Mo.; seven grandchildren, Raymond Webster Peterman Jr. and wife, Becky, of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Timothy Edward Peterman of Kansas City, Mo., Stephen Clark Peterman and wife, Carole, of Wilmington, NC, John Richard Peterman of Kansas City, Mo., John Mark Veasman of Geismar, La., Carol Ann Clemmer and husband, Jamie, of Benton, Ark., and David Christian Veasman of Gonzales, La., eight great grandchildren, Ryan Christopher Peterman and Eric Raymond Peterman of Glen Ellyn, Ill., Joseph Bernard Peterman and Jacob Ashley Peterman of Kansas City, Mo., Jay Allen Veasman of Geismar, La., Taylor Christian Bennett, Lauren Kathleen Bennett, and Caitlin Elizabeth Bennett of Benton, Ark., one sister-in-law, Jessie Mudd of Silex, Mo., five nieces, Irene Burkman, Maxine Cook, Bernadine Petty, all of Corydon, Iowa, Betty Souder of Davenport, Iowa, and Nancy Jo Gorman of Pleasant Plains, Ill.; and one nephew, Jefferson Mudd of Arnold;, and numerous other relatives and friends. “’Let me live in a house beside the road and be a friend to man.’ “Author Unknown “Memorials may be made to Auburn Presbyterian Church in care of McCoy & Blossom Funeral Home, 1304 Boone St., Troy, MO 63379.”

Roy was born in 1899. He passed away in 2000.

Sources

1. ↑ Entered by Stephanie Ross.
2. ↑ Fred Coffey Family Tree [1]
3. ↑ Info from Timothy E. Peterman

• Iowa, Births and Christenings Index, 1857-1947
• SSDI
• Find A Grave
• NSSAR 121096 [Timothy Edward Peterman] (patriots ancestral to Roy: Joseph Robinson, Henry Kivett, Peter Kivett, William Aldridge, John Aten, Matthew Hillis, Nathan Coffey, Francis Burch Vermillion, Robert Vermillion, Matthew McGlasson, Jesse Barbre, James Weeks, Joanna (Sturdy) Lunsford, Jeremiah Hampton, John Hathaway)
• FamilyTree DNA
• Personal Info from Timothy Peterson, Gale Judkins and Kirk Sheap

Footnotes

Acknowledgments

• Thanks to Stephanie Ross for starting this profile. Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Srephanie and others.