Moses Robinson, an honored pioneer settler and prominent general agriculturist of Allendale Township, Ottawa County, Mich., has for the past forty-seven years been a continuous resident of the State, and, a man of broad intelligence, has during this time ably assisted in the promotion of the various enterprises and vital interests of his locality. Born in the State of New York, in the village of Glynville, August 12, 1836, he was only a lad of nine years when he accompanied his parents to the then far West of Michigan.

The father and mother, John and Ann (McGregor) Robinson, settled in Georgetown Township, locating on a farm. Not long after the family were attacked with chills and fever, and suffered terribly with the ague, then incidental to certain parts of the State. At the time of their settlement upon the homestead, there were no roads from Georgetown leading to the home farm, and the country roundabout was yet in its primitive state. Dr. Platt, of Grand Rapids, advised the removal of the family to Paris Township, Kent County, where the father settled with his wife and children. He purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, a small portion of which he reclaimed from its unimproved condition, and then made an exchange with his son, trading farms and making his home upon one hundred and sixty acres, situated one mile east of Bowne Station.

The father, effecting a second trade with his son, removed to a valuable farm in this township, close to Allendale Centre, where he prosperously operated a farm of one hundred acres and erected a handsome and commodious residence, in which he continued to reside until his death, October 11, 1870. By his various settlements and removals, he probably aided in the clearing of more land than any other man of his times in the county, and was likewise foremost in the good works of the early days, taking an active interest in church and educational advancement. His good wife was also active in church work, and the two were among the influential citizens of the pioneer times. They did not come empty-handed into the State, the father being accounted a man of substance in New York and selling prior to his departure for the West a farm of two hundred and fifty acres for $75 per acre. Aside from the old Michigan homestead, the father owned several farms at the time of his demise, among his other landed property being the fine one hundred and sixty acre farm upon which our subject now resides. This latter farm contained the first cabin ever erected in the township, and was purchased from Deacon Hensdale, who settled here about 1840.

Unto the mother, who survived until 1880, were born eight children. James, John, Thomas and Horace are deceased; Moses is our subject; Ann, who was the wife of J. Stoddard, is deceased; Eve was the wife of Robert Scott; and Bathsheba, Mrs. William A. Balcom, is deceased. Our subject was mainly educated in Paris Township, but the schools of those days being very crude in their forms of instruction, Mr. Robinson has since supplemented the studies of youth by reading and close observation. He began life for himself at the age of twenty, when he married, but, remaining with his father the seven succeeding years, he and his excellent wife received for their services the one hundred and sixty acres of land upon which they now make their home. When Mr. And Mrs. Robinson took possession of this property it was covered with a dense growth of timber. One hundred acres, now under a high state of cultivation, annually yield an abundant harvest, and the homestead is improved with attractive and commodious buildings. Our subject purchased one hundred and sixty additional acres, which he has since given to his sons, and, financially prospered, he erected upon the home place a handsome two-story residence, containing ten or twelve rooms, all pleasantly arranged. The barns and outhouses in size and finish are second to none in the locality and present a scene of thrift and prosperity.

October 25, 1856, were united in marriage Moses Robinson and Miss Mary J. Balcom, a native of Jackson County, Mich., and daughter of Johnson and Oriza (Avery) Balcom, early settlers of Michigan. Mr. and Mrs. Balcom, widely known and highly esteemed, were the parents of six children. Marinda, deceased, was the wife of J. Scott; Sarah is the wife of H. Simons’, Delia Ann, deceased, was the wife of William Allen; Mary J. (Mrs. Robinson); Justus and William A. complete the list. At the time that Johnson Balcom located upon his farm in Allendale, in 1848, the surrounding country was a wilderness and settlers were few. He devoted his attention to clearing and cultivating his land, and made his home there until the time of his death, in 1887. During the early days of the settlement of his community, he was widely known as a prominent Sunday-school worker, and not infrequently walked a distance of fourteen miles in order to hold a Sunday-school, and also for the purpose of exhorting, as ministers of the Gospel were at that time scarce.

Our subject and his estimable wife, occupying a high position of useful influence, have been blessed by the birth of eleven sons and daughters as follows: William A., resident of the State; James; Simon; Amos; Lillie, who is married; John M.; Elizabeth, the wife of Herbert Bretherton, of Grand Rapids; Rebecca, Vina, Abram and Hiram. These brothers and sisters, widely known command the esteem and confidence of many friends and have enjoyed excellent opportunities for educational advancement. Our subject is fraternally associated with Coopersville Lodge No. 122, A. F. & A. M., and is likewise a member of the Grange. Politically a strong Republican, Mr. Robinson takes a deep interest in both local and National Government and is a sincere friend and neighbor, a business man of undoubted ability, and a true and loyal citizen.