(September 26, 1844 - August 24, 1928)
(from a news article circa 1928)
DAYS WHEN RIVERTON BOASTED DISTILLERY ARE RECALLED BY J.A. ROBINSON OF G.A.R.
(Editor's Note: This is one of a series of articles on the lives of members of Stephenson Post No. 30 G.A.R. Another will appear in tomorrow's State Register.)
The days when Riverton, Illinois was called Howlett and boasted a distillery and paper mills among its industries are recalled by Joseph A. Robinson, a veteran of the Civil War and member of Stephenson Post No. 30, Grand Army of the Republic.
Mr. Robinson is a resident of Riverton, Illinois, and has resided in Sagamon County for 56 years. He will be 84 years of age in September, having been born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, September 26, 1844.
Entering the army at the age of 20 years, Mr. Robinson saw almost two years of active fighting and was wounded in an engagement at Fort Harrison, Virginia on Septmeber 29, 1864.
WOUNDED IN BATTLE
Regarding his army service, Mr. Robinson says "I enlisted at Frankfort, Pennsylvania, February 24, 1864 and was mustered out in October 1865. During the war I served with Company A, 188th Pennsylvania Regiment. I was in active battle at Drewry's Bluff, Virginia and Fort Harrison, Virginia. I was wounded at Fort Harrison on September 29, 1864."
RIVERTON THEN HOWLETT
Following the war, I came to Illinois in 1871 and located at Riverton (then called Howlett) and was employed as an engineer at the distillery and followed the same occupation after the distillery closed working at the old and new paper mills and both mines.
FIFTY DESCENDANTS LIVING
Mr. Robinson is a widower. He has three children living, seven children, twenty-seven grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. His children all reside in riverton are are Joseph A. Robinson, Jr.; Mrs. Vinson Saville; and Mrs. Thomas Harrison.
Mr. Robinson has retired from active business.
Many thanks to Tamra S. Stewart who submitted this information.