Ambrose B. Robinson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 109-110 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				AMBROSE B. ROBINSON.  

	Ambrose B. Robinson, proprietor of a hardware store in Redfield 
since 1911, has carefully systematized the business, studies the 
demands of the trade and through forethought and capable management has 
built up a business of gratifying proportions Twenty-nine years have 
come and gone since he arrived in South Dakota, removing from Lake 
Benton, Minnesota. He was born at Deposit, New York, July 18, 1857, and 
is a son of Edward and Eunice (Burrows) Robinson. The family is of 
Scotch lineage, but was founded in America prior to the Revolutionary 
war, the first settlement being made at Binghamton, New York. Removing 
to the west, Edward Robinson became a pioneer of Minnesota, being the 
first farmer to build a house west of Lake Benton. He had previously 
served as a soldier in the Civil war. He took an active part in the 
early development of Minnesota and his last days were spent in Oregon, 
where he was laid to rest. For some time he had survived his wife, who 
passed away at Lake Benton.  

	Ambrose B. Robinson completed his education at Black River Falls, 
Wisconsin, when eighteen years of age. In the meantime he had assisted 
his father in the lumber business, continuing active therein from his 
twelfth to his twenty-third year with opportunity to attend school only 
for a short term during each year. After severing his business 
connection with his father he was engaged in various lines of business. 
For twenty-seven years he was a grain buyer and for ten years he 
conducted a lumberyard on his own account. He had not a cent when he 
started out in life independently but energy and determination proved 
the foundation upon which he builded his later success. Gradually he 
advanced step by step and today, as proprietor of a hardware store in 
Redfield, is a successful merchant, having the largest business of its 
kind in Spink county. He draws his patronage from all parts of the 
county and his trade is well merited, for his business methods are 
thoroughly reliable and the line of goods which he carries represents 
the output of some of the best iron foundries of the country. 

	Mr. Robinson was married in Whitehall, Wisconsin, March 27, 1881, 
to Miss Elma Ellis, a daughter of William and Amanda Ellis, who were 
pioneers of Wisconsin. The father, who has made farming his life work, 
now resides at Hood River, Oregon, where his wife passed away. Mr. and 
Mrs. Robinson are the parents of one son and four daughters: Clark, who 
is assisting his father; Bessie, the wife of John Kelly, residing at 
Crandon, South Dakota; Grace, the wife of Edward Peavey, of 
Minneapolis; Clare, the wife of Leo Evans, of Townsend, Montana; and 
Zedna, who married R. W. Cook. of Pierre, South Dakota.  

	The home of Mr. and Mrs. Robinson is a beautiful residence which 
he erected at a cost of ten thousand dollars. He has also built several 
other residences and various other buildings, including the largest 
lumber shed in the state. His efforts have been a vital force in the 
upbuilding and improvement of Redfield and other districts. What he has 
accomplished is the direct and merited reward of persistent and earnest 
labor. He stands as one of the prosperous citizens of his section of 
the state and his example may well serve to inspire and encourage 
others showing what may be accomplished when there is the will to dare 
and to do. Industry has unlocked for him the portals to success and his 
record proves that prosperity and an honored name may be won 
simultaneously.