Oregon homesteader—received in 1902 the patent for 80 acres of Federal land in Sherman County.
Philip H. Robinson, a son of Barbara Ann Hillsberry, was born on 14 November 1851 in Pennsylvania, most probably in Southampton Township, Cumberland County, where the Hillsberry family was enumerated in 1850. His father's identity is not known. His mother claimed to have been married to a man named Rouse, yet in the 1860 U.S. Census both Philip and his older brother Anthony had the surname "Walters." By 1870, Philip had adopted the surname "Robinson."
The Hillsberry family, headed by Philip's grandfather Harmon Hillsberry, relocated in 1852 from Pennsylvania to East Bend Township, Champaign County, Illinois, where Harmon entered land and farmed. Philip's mother in 1855 married—and later divorced—Charles McLain, with whom she had a son, Samuel. In 1859, she married Isaac Painter; the couple would later have three children. In the 1860 U.S. Census, Philip was in a blended family with his mother, step-father, elder brother Anthony Walters, younger half-brother Samuel McLean, and infant half-brother John Painter—and living in East Bend Township near his grandfather. A decade later, as Philip Robinson, he was a farm laborer in a neighboring township.
Philip Robinson is not found in the 1880 U.S. Census. It is not known when or how he relocated to Oregon. His obituaries state only that he was born in 1851, "and came west 20 years later." (His uncle Aaron Hillsberry enlisted in a Union battalion in 1864 in Humboldt County, northern California, and remained there until his death in 1907.)
P. H. Robinson and Jenettie E. A. Fridley were married on 10 July 1898 in Benton County, Oregon, at the home of the bride's brother, Lewis Fridley. The groom was a resident of Sherman County; the bride of Benton County; the couple lived in Sherman County. She died 19 months later on 13 February 1900, aged 27 years, and was buried in Wasco, Sherman County.
In the 1900 U.S. Census, Philip Robinson was a farmer in Sherman County, Oregon, living with a boarder. On 15 September 1902, "Phillip" H. Robinson received the patent for 80 acres of Federal land in Sherman County under the 1862 Homestead Act.
In the 1910 U.S. Census, he was a farm laborer in Macksburg, Clackamas County, Oregon, boarding in the Franz and Mary Brusch household. The couple were his old acquaintances: they had married in 1863 in Champaign County, Illinois, and were enumerated in 1870 and 1880 in East Bend Township. Philip Robinson died on 28 March 1919 at the home of Mrs. Brusch. He was remembered as a long-time member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
Philip H. Robinson's estate consisted of a bank account of $1,600 (worth more than $25,000 in 2022). In his will, he left $900 to his brother-in-law Lewis Fridley; the remainder after expenses equally to "my three brothers": Samuel McClain, John Painter, and Isaac Painter. (Anthony Hillsberry had passed away in 1902.)
Notes
Philip's older brother Anthony was enumerated in 1850 as a "Hilsberry" (many variant spellings) in Southampton Twp., Cumberland Co. Pennsylvania. (There were several Walters households in the township.) Both Philip and Anthony were enumerated in 1860 as "Walters." Anthony volunteered and mustered in an Illinois regiment in 1864 as Anthony "Hillsboro," and enumerated in 1870 and 1900 as Hillsberry. In death and funeral notices, he appeared as "Hillsberry" or "Walters," and in one he was identified as "Anthony Hillsberry Walters." Philip H. Robinson may have used Hillsberry as a middle name.
There is no evidence of a Hillsberry-Rouse marriage.
1860 U.S. Census, Township 22 North, Range 8 East [East Bend Township], Champaign Co., Illinois; dwelling 899, family 869, lines 27-32, p. 122 (written), 19 Jul 1860. (Post Office: Pera)
27. Isaac Painter [head], 23, farm laborer (-0-), Ohio.
28. Barbara -----, 28, Pennsylvania.
29. John -----, 5/12, Illinois.
30. Anthony Walters, 12, Pennsylvania.
31. Phillip [Walters], 9, Pennsylvania.
32. Samuel McClure, 5, Illinois.
• Philip's family lived in a separate dwelling on the property of his grandfather Harmon Hillsberry. The surname "Walters" is inexplicable. Isaac and Barbara Painter could neither read nor write.
• Pera, also called Pera Station, was renamed Ludlow in 1867.
1870 U.S. Census, Ludlow Twp., Champaign Co., Illinois; dwelling 174, family 166, lines 25-31, p. 23 (written), 24 Jul 1870.
25. Hines, David, 33, farmer ($4,800; $600), Virginia.
[…]
31. Robinson, Phillip, 20, farm laborer, Pennsylvania.
1880 U.S. Census: Philip Robinson not found.
1880 U.S. Census, E.D. 5, Corvallis Precinct, Benton Co., Oregon; dwelling 106, family 106, lines 23-26, p. 12 (written), 10-11 Jun 1880.
23. Fridley, George C., 24, farmer; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Iowa.
24. ----- Erminie A., 20, wife; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Indiana.
25. ----- Nettie E., 7, sister; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Iowa.
25. ----- Lewis E., 18, brother, farmer; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Iowa.
"Oregon, County Marriages, 1851-1975", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V65N-C55 : 20 February 2021), P H Robinson and Jenettie E A Fridley, 1898. (Benton Co. License on 2 Jul 1898; marriage on 10 Jul 1898.)
"On the 10th last, at the home of Louis Fridley, on Muddy creek, Mr. P. H. Robinson and Miss Jeannette E. Ridley were united in marriage, Rev. B. J. Kelly officiating. Mr. Robinson resides in Sherman county, whither the twain made one took their leave for the following day. Miss Fridley was born and reared in this county [...]" ("Local Happenings," Corvallis Gazette, Corvallis, Benton Co., Oregon, 22 Jul 1898, p. 3.)
Extract from The People's Republic, Wasco, Oregon, 3 Nov 1898, under Wasco items: About 60 guests assembled at the residence of P. H. Robinson, of Biglow, Monday to celebrate the anniversary of his birthday. (Genealogy Trails website for Sherman County, Oregon.)
1900 U.S. Census, E.D. 37, Wasco Precinct, Sherman Co., Oregon; dwelling 160, family 160, lines 29-30, p. 145 (printed), p. 9A (written), 18 Jun 1900.
29. Robinson, Philip, head, Nov 1855, 44, single; self and parents born in Pennsylvania; farmer.
30. McIlvain -----, boarder, male, 67, widowed; self and parents born in Kentucky.
W½SW¼ of Section 11; Township 001N, Range 018E, Sherman Co., Oregon. U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office, website.
• Patent image not available. It is not known if Philip H. Robinson obtained the patent by cultivating the land for 5 years and building a dwelling, or by a 6-month residency with improvements and payment of $1.25 per acre.
"—Philip Robinson of Montana is visiting relatives here." ("Dewey," The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois, 15 Dec 1902, p. 3.)
Phillip Robinson was among the guests who attended Isaac Painter, senior's, 66th birthday on 10 May 1903. ("Dewey," The Champaign County News, Champaign, Illinois, 16 May 1903, p. 5.)
"Phil Robinson left for Oregon on Monday, after a six-months visit with relatives here. [...] John Painter had a big dinner and family reunion, Sunday, in honor of his brother, Phil Robinson, who leaves for his home in Oregon this week." ("Dewey," The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois, 3 Jun 1903, p. 3.)
"—Mr. H. Brush and family and Philip Robinson left Monday for Washington." ("Dewey," Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, Illinois, 5 June 1903, p. 7.)
• See family name in 1910 U.S. Census, below.
1910 U.S. Census, E.D. 35, Macksburg Precinct, Clackamas Co., Oregon; dwelling 67, family 67, lines 83-87, p. 4B (written), 26-27 Apr 1910.
83. Brusch, Franz, head, 81; self and parents born in Germany.
84. ----- Mary, wife, 64, married 47 years, 8 children (6 living); self and parents born in Germany.
85. ----- John, son, 24 single, Oregon, farmer.
86. Robinson, Philip, boarder, 56, married once, widowed; self and parents born in Pennsylvania; farm laborer, working out [not working on his own or his family's farm].
87. Brusch, William, son, 42, single, Illinois, farmer.
• Philip Robinson died in 1919 in the "Busch" household.
"Phillip Robinson on his trip from the northwest, came through Canada. He says one whole day's trip was through wheat fields and they are just threshing wheat and that that section of the country was visited by eight inches of snow a short time ago." ("Dewey," The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois, 10 Oct 1911, p. 4.)
"—Philip Robinson, from the state of Oregon, and Ike Painter of Dewey visited Manuel Painter from Friday over Sunday." ("Foosland," The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois, 10 Jan 1912, p. 8.)
• It is not clear if Ike was Philip's step-father Isaac, senior, or half-brother Isaac, junior. Emanuel Painter was Isaac, senior's, nephew.
"Oregon Death Index, 1903-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ48-RYX : 11 December 2014), Philip H. Robinson, 28 Mar 1919; from "Oregon, Death Index, 1898-2008," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2000); citing Clackamas, Oregon, certificate number 109, Oregon State Archives and Records Center, Salem.
Will of Philip H. Robinson, dated 1 Jun 1918, proved 5 Apr 1919.
"Nine hundred dollars to L. E. Fridley, Lexington, Morrow County, Oregon.
"The remainder [...] to be equally divided among my three brothers, Isac [sic ] Painter, St. Louis, Michigan, John Painter and Sameul [sic ] McClain, both of Dewey Illinois.
"I wish to be buried in a plain a manner as possible by the Odd Fellows in the Odd Fellow Cemetary [sic ] at Aurora Oregon.
"It is my request that no German minister talk at my funeral.
"Please notify W. H. Swayze, Ashland, Kansas and Byron A. Brown, New Plymouth Idaho, in case of my death."
In the 1870 U.S. Census, East Bend Twp., Champaign Co., Illinois, Swayze's brother John headed the household in which Anthony Hillsberry was enumerated as a farm laborer. Byron A. Brown, then age 1, was also enumerated in the township.
"Phillip Robinson Dead," Aurora Observer, Aurora, Marion County, Oregon, 3 Apr 1919, p. 1.
Reprints in: The Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, 5 Apr 1919, p. 3, and Marshfield Daily Coast Mail, Marshfield, Oregon, 5 Apr 1919, p. 3.
Reviewed 8 July 2023.
Philip H. Robinson, a son of Barbara Ann Hillsberry, was born on 14 November 1851 in Pennsylvania, most probably in Southampton Township, Cumberland County, where the Hillsberry family was enumerated in 1850. His father's identity is not known. His mother claimed to have been married to a man named Rouse, yet in the 1860 U.S. Census both Philip and his older brother Anthony had the surname "Walters." By 1870, Philip had adopted the surname "Robinson."
The Hillsberry family, headed by Philip's grandfather Harmon Hillsberry, relocated in 1852 from Pennsylvania to East Bend Township, Champaign County, Illinois, where Harmon entered land and farmed. Philip's mother in 1855 married—and later divorced—Charles McLain, with whom she had a son, Samuel. In 1859, she married Isaac Painter; the couple would later have three children. In the 1860 U.S. Census, Philip was in a blended family with his mother, step-father, elder brother Anthony Walters, younger half-brother Samuel McLean, and infant half-brother John Painter—and living in East Bend Township near his grandfather. A decade later, as Philip Robinson, he was a farm laborer in a neighboring township.
Philip Robinson is not found in the 1880 U.S. Census. It is not known when or how he relocated to Oregon. His obituaries state only that he was born in 1851, "and came west 20 years later." (His uncle Aaron Hillsberry enlisted in a Union battalion in 1864 in Humboldt County, northern California, and remained there until his death in 1907.)
P. H. Robinson and Jenettie E. A. Fridley were married on 10 July 1898 in Benton County, Oregon, at the home of the bride's brother, Lewis Fridley. The groom was a resident of Sherman County; the bride of Benton County; the couple lived in Sherman County. She died 19 months later on 13 February 1900, aged 27 years, and was buried in Wasco, Sherman County.
In the 1900 U.S. Census, Philip Robinson was a farmer in Sherman County, Oregon, living with a boarder. On 15 September 1902, "Phillip" H. Robinson received the patent for 80 acres of Federal land in Sherman County under the 1862 Homestead Act.
In the 1910 U.S. Census, he was a farm laborer in Macksburg, Clackamas County, Oregon, boarding in the Franz and Mary Brusch household. The couple were his old acquaintances: they had married in 1863 in Champaign County, Illinois, and were enumerated in 1870 and 1880 in East Bend Township. Philip Robinson died on 28 March 1919 at the home of Mrs. Brusch. He was remembered as a long-time member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
Philip H. Robinson's estate consisted of a bank account of $1,600 (worth more than $25,000 in 2022). In his will, he left $900 to his brother-in-law Lewis Fridley; the remainder after expenses equally to "my three brothers": Samuel McClain, John Painter, and Isaac Painter. (Anthony Hillsberry had passed away in 1902.)
Notes
Philip's older brother Anthony was enumerated in 1850 as a "Hilsberry" (many variant spellings) in Southampton Twp., Cumberland Co. Pennsylvania. (There were several Walters households in the township.) Both Philip and Anthony were enumerated in 1860 as "Walters." Anthony volunteered and mustered in an Illinois regiment in 1864 as Anthony "Hillsboro," and enumerated in 1870 and 1900 as Hillsberry. In death and funeral notices, he appeared as "Hillsberry" or "Walters," and in one he was identified as "Anthony Hillsberry Walters." Philip H. Robinson may have used Hillsberry as a middle name.
There is no evidence of a Hillsberry-Rouse marriage.
1860 U.S. Census, Township 22 North, Range 8 East [East Bend Township], Champaign Co., Illinois; dwelling 899, family 869, lines 27-32, p. 122 (written), 19 Jul 1860. (Post Office: Pera)
27. Isaac Painter [head], 23, farm laborer (-0-), Ohio.
28. Barbara -----, 28, Pennsylvania.
29. John -----, 5/12, Illinois.
30. Anthony Walters, 12, Pennsylvania.
31. Phillip [Walters], 9, Pennsylvania.
32. Samuel McClure, 5, Illinois.
• Philip's family lived in a separate dwelling on the property of his grandfather Harmon Hillsberry. The surname "Walters" is inexplicable. Isaac and Barbara Painter could neither read nor write.
• Pera, also called Pera Station, was renamed Ludlow in 1867.
1870 U.S. Census, Ludlow Twp., Champaign Co., Illinois; dwelling 174, family 166, lines 25-31, p. 23 (written), 24 Jul 1870.
25. Hines, David, 33, farmer ($4,800; $600), Virginia.
[…]
31. Robinson, Phillip, 20, farm laborer, Pennsylvania.
1880 U.S. Census: Philip Robinson not found.
1880 U.S. Census, E.D. 5, Corvallis Precinct, Benton Co., Oregon; dwelling 106, family 106, lines 23-26, p. 12 (written), 10-11 Jun 1880.
23. Fridley, George C., 24, farmer; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Iowa.
24. ----- Erminie A., 20, wife; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Indiana.
25. ----- Nettie E., 7, sister; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Iowa.
25. ----- Lewis E., 18, brother, farmer; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Iowa.
"Oregon, County Marriages, 1851-1975", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V65N-C55 : 20 February 2021), P H Robinson and Jenettie E A Fridley, 1898. (Benton Co. License on 2 Jul 1898; marriage on 10 Jul 1898.)
"On the 10th last, at the home of Louis Fridley, on Muddy creek, Mr. P. H. Robinson and Miss Jeannette E. Ridley were united in marriage, Rev. B. J. Kelly officiating. Mr. Robinson resides in Sherman county, whither the twain made one took their leave for the following day. Miss Fridley was born and reared in this county [...]" ("Local Happenings," Corvallis Gazette, Corvallis, Benton Co., Oregon, 22 Jul 1898, p. 3.)
Extract from The People's Republic, Wasco, Oregon, 3 Nov 1898, under Wasco items: About 60 guests assembled at the residence of P. H. Robinson, of Biglow, Monday to celebrate the anniversary of his birthday. (Genealogy Trails website for Sherman County, Oregon.)
1900 U.S. Census, E.D. 37, Wasco Precinct, Sherman Co., Oregon; dwelling 160, family 160, lines 29-30, p. 145 (printed), p. 9A (written), 18 Jun 1900.
29. Robinson, Philip, head, Nov 1855, 44, single; self and parents born in Pennsylvania; farmer.
30. McIlvain -----, boarder, male, 67, widowed; self and parents born in Kentucky.
W½SW¼ of Section 11; Township 001N, Range 018E, Sherman Co., Oregon. U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office, website.
• Patent image not available. It is not known if Philip H. Robinson obtained the patent by cultivating the land for 5 years and building a dwelling, or by a 6-month residency with improvements and payment of $1.25 per acre.
"—Philip Robinson of Montana is visiting relatives here." ("Dewey," The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois, 15 Dec 1902, p. 3.)
Phillip Robinson was among the guests who attended Isaac Painter, senior's, 66th birthday on 10 May 1903. ("Dewey," The Champaign County News, Champaign, Illinois, 16 May 1903, p. 5.)
"Phil Robinson left for Oregon on Monday, after a six-months visit with relatives here. [...] John Painter had a big dinner and family reunion, Sunday, in honor of his brother, Phil Robinson, who leaves for his home in Oregon this week." ("Dewey," The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois, 3 Jun 1903, p. 3.)
"—Mr. H. Brush and family and Philip Robinson left Monday for Washington." ("Dewey," Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, Illinois, 5 June 1903, p. 7.)
• See family name in 1910 U.S. Census, below.
1910 U.S. Census, E.D. 35, Macksburg Precinct, Clackamas Co., Oregon; dwelling 67, family 67, lines 83-87, p. 4B (written), 26-27 Apr 1910.
83. Brusch, Franz, head, 81; self and parents born in Germany.
84. ----- Mary, wife, 64, married 47 years, 8 children (6 living); self and parents born in Germany.
85. ----- John, son, 24 single, Oregon, farmer.
86. Robinson, Philip, boarder, 56, married once, widowed; self and parents born in Pennsylvania; farm laborer, working out [not working on his own or his family's farm].
87. Brusch, William, son, 42, single, Illinois, farmer.
• Philip Robinson died in 1919 in the "Busch" household.
"Phillip Robinson on his trip from the northwest, came through Canada. He says one whole day's trip was through wheat fields and they are just threshing wheat and that that section of the country was visited by eight inches of snow a short time ago." ("Dewey," The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois, 10 Oct 1911, p. 4.)
"—Philip Robinson, from the state of Oregon, and Ike Painter of Dewey visited Manuel Painter from Friday over Sunday." ("Foosland," The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois, 10 Jan 1912, p. 8.)
• It is not clear if Ike was Philip's step-father Isaac, senior, or half-brother Isaac, junior. Emanuel Painter was Isaac, senior's, nephew.
"Oregon Death Index, 1903-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ48-RYX : 11 December 2014), Philip H. Robinson, 28 Mar 1919; from "Oregon, Death Index, 1898-2008," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2000); citing Clackamas, Oregon, certificate number 109, Oregon State Archives and Records Center, Salem.
Will of Philip H. Robinson, dated 1 Jun 1918, proved 5 Apr 1919.
"Nine hundred dollars to L. E. Fridley, Lexington, Morrow County, Oregon.
"The remainder [...] to be equally divided among my three brothers, Isac [sic ] Painter, St. Louis, Michigan, John Painter and Sameul [sic ] McClain, both of Dewey Illinois.
"I wish to be buried in a plain a manner as possible by the Odd Fellows in the Odd Fellow Cemetary [sic ] at Aurora Oregon.
"It is my request that no German minister talk at my funeral.
"Please notify W. H. Swayze, Ashland, Kansas and Byron A. Brown, New Plymouth Idaho, in case of my death."
In the 1870 U.S. Census, East Bend Twp., Champaign Co., Illinois, Swayze's brother John headed the household in which Anthony Hillsberry was enumerated as a farm laborer. Byron A. Brown, then age 1, was also enumerated in the township.
"Phillip Robinson Dead," Aurora Observer, Aurora, Marion County, Oregon, 3 Apr 1919, p. 1.
Reprints in: The Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, 5 Apr 1919, p. 3, and Marshfield Daily Coast Mail, Marshfield, Oregon, 5 Apr 1919, p. 3.
Reviewed 8 July 2023.
Oregon homesteader—received in 1902 the patent for 80 acres of Federal land in Sherman County.
Philip H. Robinson, a son of Barbara Ann Hillsberry, was born on 14 November 1851 in Pennsylvania, most probably in Southampton Township, Cumberland County, where the Hillsberry family was enumerated in 1850. His father's identity is not known. His mother claimed to have been married to a man named Rouse, yet in the 1860 U.S. Census both Philip and his older brother Anthony had the surname "Walters." By 1870, Philip had adopted the surname "Robinson."
The Hillsberry family, headed by Philip's grandfather Harmon Hillsberry, relocated in 1852 from Pennsylvania to East Bend Township, Champaign County, Illinois, where Harmon entered land and farmed. Philip's mother in 1855 married—and later divorced—Charles McLain, with whom she had a son, Samuel. In 1859, she married Isaac Painter; the couple would later have three children. In the 1860 U.S. Census, Philip was in a blended family with his mother, step-father, elder brother Anthony Walters, younger half-brother Samuel McLean, and infant half-brother John Painter—and living in East Bend Township near his grandfather. A decade later, as Philip Robinson, he was a farm laborer in a neighboring township.
Philip Robinson is not found in the 1880 U.S. Census. It is not known when or how he relocated to Oregon. His obituaries state only that he was born in 1851, "and came west 20 years later." (His uncle Aaron Hillsberry enlisted in a Union battalion in 1864 in Humboldt County, northern California, and remained there until his death in 1907.)
P. H. Robinson and Jenettie E. A. Fridley were married on 10 July 1898 in Benton County, Oregon, at the home of the bride's brother, Lewis Fridley. The groom was a resident of Sherman County; the bride of Benton County; the couple lived in Sherman County. She died 19 months later on 13 February 1900, aged 27 years, and was buried in Wasco, Sherman County.
In the 1900 U.S. Census, Philip Robinson was a farmer in Sherman County, Oregon, living with a boarder. On 15 September 1902, "Phillip" H. Robinson received the patent for 80 acres of Federal land in Sherman County under the 1862 Homestead Act.
In the 1910 U.S. Census, he was a farm laborer in Macksburg, Clackamas County, Oregon, boarding in the Franz and Mary Brusch household. The couple were his old acquaintances: they had married in 1863 in Champaign County, Illinois, and were enumerated in 1870 and 1880 in East Bend Township. Philip Robinson died on 28 March 1919 at the home of Mrs. Brusch. He was remembered as a long-time member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
Philip H. Robinson's estate consisted of a bank account of $1,600 (worth more than $25,000 in 2022). In his will, he left $900 to his brother-in-law Lewis Fridley; the remainder after expenses equally to "my three brothers": Samuel McClain, John Painter, and Isaac Painter. (Anthony Hillsberry had passed away in 1902.)
Notes
Philip's older brother Anthony was enumerated in 1850 as a "Hilsberry" (many variant spellings) in Southampton Twp., Cumberland Co. Pennsylvania. (There were several Walters households in the township.) Both Philip and Anthony were enumerated in 1860 as "Walters." Anthony volunteered and mustered in an Illinois regiment in 1864 as Anthony "Hillsboro," and enumerated in 1870 and 1900 as Hillsberry. In death and funeral notices, he appeared as "Hillsberry" or "Walters," and in one he was identified as "Anthony Hillsberry Walters." Philip H. Robinson may have used Hillsberry as a middle name.
There is no evidence of a Hillsberry-Rouse marriage.
1860 U.S. Census, Township 22 North, Range 8 East [East Bend Township], Champaign Co., Illinois; dwelling 899, family 869, lines 27-32, p. 122 (written), 19 Jul 1860. (Post Office: Pera)
27. Isaac Painter [head], 23, farm laborer (-0-), Ohio.
28. Barbara -----, 28, Pennsylvania.
29. John -----, 5/12, Illinois.
30. Anthony Walters, 12, Pennsylvania.
31. Phillip [Walters], 9, Pennsylvania.
32. Samuel McClure, 5, Illinois.
• Philip's family lived in a separate dwelling on the property of his grandfather Harmon Hillsberry. The surname "Walters" is inexplicable. Isaac and Barbara Painter could neither read nor write.
• Pera, also called Pera Station, was renamed Ludlow in 1867.
1870 U.S. Census, Ludlow Twp., Champaign Co., Illinois; dwelling 174, family 166, lines 25-31, p. 23 (written), 24 Jul 1870.
25. Hines, David, 33, farmer ($4,800; $600), Virginia.
[…]
31. Robinson, Phillip, 20, farm laborer, Pennsylvania.
1880 U.S. Census: Philip Robinson not found.
1880 U.S. Census, E.D. 5, Corvallis Precinct, Benton Co., Oregon; dwelling 106, family 106, lines 23-26, p. 12 (written), 10-11 Jun 1880.
23. Fridley, George C., 24, farmer; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Iowa.
24. ----- Erminie A., 20, wife; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Indiana.
25. ----- Nettie E., 7, sister; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Iowa.
25. ----- Lewis E., 18, brother, farmer; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Iowa.
"Oregon, County Marriages, 1851-1975", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V65N-C55 : 20 February 2021), P H Robinson and Jenettie E A Fridley, 1898. (Benton Co. License on 2 Jul 1898; marriage on 10 Jul 1898.)
"On the 10th last, at the home of Louis Fridley, on Muddy creek, Mr. P. H. Robinson and Miss Jeannette E. Ridley were united in marriage, Rev. B. J. Kelly officiating. Mr. Robinson resides in Sherman county, whither the twain made one took their leave for the following day. Miss Fridley was born and reared in this county [...]" ("Local Happenings," Corvallis Gazette, Corvallis, Benton Co., Oregon, 22 Jul 1898, p. 3.)
Extract from The People's Republic, Wasco, Oregon, 3 Nov 1898, under Wasco items: About 60 guests assembled at the residence of P. H. Robinson, of Biglow, Monday to celebrate the anniversary of his birthday. (Genealogy Trails website for Sherman County, Oregon.)
1900 U.S. Census, E.D. 37, Wasco Precinct, Sherman Co., Oregon; dwelling 160, family 160, lines 29-30, p. 145 (printed), p. 9A (written), 18 Jun 1900.
29. Robinson, Philip, head, Nov 1855, 44, single; self and parents born in Pennsylvania; farmer.
30. McIlvain -----, boarder, male, 67, widowed; self and parents born in Kentucky.
W½SW¼ of Section 11; Township 001N, Range 018E, Sherman Co., Oregon. U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office, website.
• Patent image not available. It is not known if Philip H. Robinson obtained the patent by cultivating the land for 5 years and building a dwelling, or by a 6-month residency with improvements and payment of $1.25 per acre.
"—Philip Robinson of Montana is visiting relatives here." ("Dewey," The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois, 15 Dec 1902, p. 3.)
Phillip Robinson was among the guests who attended Isaac Painter, senior's, 66th birthday on 10 May 1903. ("Dewey," The Champaign County News, Champaign, Illinois, 16 May 1903, p. 5.)
"Phil Robinson left for Oregon on Monday, after a six-months visit with relatives here. [...] John Painter had a big dinner and family reunion, Sunday, in honor of his brother, Phil Robinson, who leaves for his home in Oregon this week." ("Dewey," The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois, 3 Jun 1903, p. 3.)
"—Mr. H. Brush and family and Philip Robinson left Monday for Washington." ("Dewey," Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, Illinois, 5 June 1903, p. 7.)
• See family name in 1910 U.S. Census, below.
1910 U.S. Census, E.D. 35, Macksburg Precinct, Clackamas Co., Oregon; dwelling 67, family 67, lines 83-87, p. 4B (written), 26-27 Apr 1910.
83. Brusch, Franz, head, 81; self and parents born in Germany.
84. ----- Mary, wife, 64, married 47 years, 8 children (6 living); self and parents born in Germany.
85. ----- John, son, 24 single, Oregon, farmer.
86. Robinson, Philip, boarder, 56, married once, widowed; self and parents born in Pennsylvania; farm laborer, working out [not working on his own or his family's farm].
87. Brusch, William, son, 42, single, Illinois, farmer.
• Philip Robinson died in 1919 in the "Busch" household.
"Phillip Robinson on his trip from the northwest, came through Canada. He says one whole day's trip was through wheat fields and they are just threshing wheat and that that section of the country was visited by eight inches of snow a short time ago." ("Dewey," The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois, 10 Oct 1911, p. 4.)
"—Philip Robinson, from the state of Oregon, and Ike Painter of Dewey visited Manuel Painter from Friday over Sunday." ("Foosland," The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois, 10 Jan 1912, p. 8.)
• It is not clear if Ike was Philip's step-father Isaac, senior, or half-brother Isaac, junior. Emanuel Painter was Isaac, senior's, nephew.
"Oregon Death Index, 1903-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ48-RYX : 11 December 2014), Philip H. Robinson, 28 Mar 1919; from "Oregon, Death Index, 1898-2008," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2000); citing Clackamas, Oregon, certificate number 109, Oregon State Archives and Records Center, Salem.
Will of Philip H. Robinson, dated 1 Jun 1918, proved 5 Apr 1919.
"Nine hundred dollars to L. E. Fridley, Lexington, Morrow County, Oregon.
"The remainder [...] to be equally divided among my three brothers, Isac [sic ] Painter, St. Louis, Michigan, John Painter and Sameul [sic ] McClain, both of Dewey Illinois.
"I wish to be buried in a plain a manner as possible by the Odd Fellows in the Odd Fellow Cemetary [sic ] at Aurora Oregon.
"It is my request that no German minister talk at my funeral.
"Please notify W. H. Swayze, Ashland, Kansas and Byron A. Brown, New Plymouth Idaho, in case of my death."
In the 1870 U.S. Census, East Bend Twp., Champaign Co., Illinois, Swayze's brother John headed the household in which Anthony Hillsberry was enumerated as a farm laborer. Byron A. Brown, then age 1, was also enumerated in the township.
"Phillip Robinson Dead," Aurora Observer, Aurora, Marion County, Oregon, 3 Apr 1919, p. 1.
Reprints in: The Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, 5 Apr 1919, p. 3, and Marshfield Daily Coast Mail, Marshfield, Oregon, 5 Apr 1919, p. 3.
Reviewed 8 July 2023.
Philip H. Robinson, a son of Barbara Ann Hillsberry, was born on 14 November 1851 in Pennsylvania, most probably in Southampton Township, Cumberland County, where the Hillsberry family was enumerated in 1850. His father's identity is not known. His mother claimed to have been married to a man named Rouse, yet in the 1860 U.S. Census both Philip and his older brother Anthony had the surname "Walters." By 1870, Philip had adopted the surname "Robinson."
The Hillsberry family, headed by Philip's grandfather Harmon Hillsberry, relocated in 1852 from Pennsylvania to East Bend Township, Champaign County, Illinois, where Harmon entered land and farmed. Philip's mother in 1855 married—and later divorced—Charles McLain, with whom she had a son, Samuel. In 1859, she married Isaac Painter; the couple would later have three children. In the 1860 U.S. Census, Philip was in a blended family with his mother, step-father, elder brother Anthony Walters, younger half-brother Samuel McLean, and infant half-brother John Painter—and living in East Bend Township near his grandfather. A decade later, as Philip Robinson, he was a farm laborer in a neighboring township.
Philip Robinson is not found in the 1880 U.S. Census. It is not known when or how he relocated to Oregon. His obituaries state only that he was born in 1851, "and came west 20 years later." (His uncle Aaron Hillsberry enlisted in a Union battalion in 1864 in Humboldt County, northern California, and remained there until his death in 1907.)
P. H. Robinson and Jenettie E. A. Fridley were married on 10 July 1898 in Benton County, Oregon, at the home of the bride's brother, Lewis Fridley. The groom was a resident of Sherman County; the bride of Benton County; the couple lived in Sherman County. She died 19 months later on 13 February 1900, aged 27 years, and was buried in Wasco, Sherman County.
In the 1900 U.S. Census, Philip Robinson was a farmer in Sherman County, Oregon, living with a boarder. On 15 September 1902, "Phillip" H. Robinson received the patent for 80 acres of Federal land in Sherman County under the 1862 Homestead Act.
In the 1910 U.S. Census, he was a farm laborer in Macksburg, Clackamas County, Oregon, boarding in the Franz and Mary Brusch household. The couple were his old acquaintances: they had married in 1863 in Champaign County, Illinois, and were enumerated in 1870 and 1880 in East Bend Township. Philip Robinson died on 28 March 1919 at the home of Mrs. Brusch. He was remembered as a long-time member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.
Philip H. Robinson's estate consisted of a bank account of $1,600 (worth more than $25,000 in 2022). In his will, he left $900 to his brother-in-law Lewis Fridley; the remainder after expenses equally to "my three brothers": Samuel McClain, John Painter, and Isaac Painter. (Anthony Hillsberry had passed away in 1902.)
Notes
Philip's older brother Anthony was enumerated in 1850 as a "Hilsberry" (many variant spellings) in Southampton Twp., Cumberland Co. Pennsylvania. (There were several Walters households in the township.) Both Philip and Anthony were enumerated in 1860 as "Walters." Anthony volunteered and mustered in an Illinois regiment in 1864 as Anthony "Hillsboro," and enumerated in 1870 and 1900 as Hillsberry. In death and funeral notices, he appeared as "Hillsberry" or "Walters," and in one he was identified as "Anthony Hillsberry Walters." Philip H. Robinson may have used Hillsberry as a middle name.
There is no evidence of a Hillsberry-Rouse marriage.
1860 U.S. Census, Township 22 North, Range 8 East [East Bend Township], Champaign Co., Illinois; dwelling 899, family 869, lines 27-32, p. 122 (written), 19 Jul 1860. (Post Office: Pera)
27. Isaac Painter [head], 23, farm laborer (-0-), Ohio.
28. Barbara -----, 28, Pennsylvania.
29. John -----, 5/12, Illinois.
30. Anthony Walters, 12, Pennsylvania.
31. Phillip [Walters], 9, Pennsylvania.
32. Samuel McClure, 5, Illinois.
• Philip's family lived in a separate dwelling on the property of his grandfather Harmon Hillsberry. The surname "Walters" is inexplicable. Isaac and Barbara Painter could neither read nor write.
• Pera, also called Pera Station, was renamed Ludlow in 1867.
1870 U.S. Census, Ludlow Twp., Champaign Co., Illinois; dwelling 174, family 166, lines 25-31, p. 23 (written), 24 Jul 1870.
25. Hines, David, 33, farmer ($4,800; $600), Virginia.
[…]
31. Robinson, Phillip, 20, farm laborer, Pennsylvania.
1880 U.S. Census: Philip Robinson not found.
1880 U.S. Census, E.D. 5, Corvallis Precinct, Benton Co., Oregon; dwelling 106, family 106, lines 23-26, p. 12 (written), 10-11 Jun 1880.
23. Fridley, George C., 24, farmer; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Iowa.
24. ----- Erminie A., 20, wife; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Indiana.
25. ----- Nettie E., 7, sister; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Iowa.
25. ----- Lewis E., 18, brother, farmer; born in Oregon, father in Penn., mother in Iowa.
"Oregon, County Marriages, 1851-1975", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V65N-C55 : 20 February 2021), P H Robinson and Jenettie E A Fridley, 1898. (Benton Co. License on 2 Jul 1898; marriage on 10 Jul 1898.)
"On the 10th last, at the home of Louis Fridley, on Muddy creek, Mr. P. H. Robinson and Miss Jeannette E. Ridley were united in marriage, Rev. B. J. Kelly officiating. Mr. Robinson resides in Sherman county, whither the twain made one took their leave for the following day. Miss Fridley was born and reared in this county [...]" ("Local Happenings," Corvallis Gazette, Corvallis, Benton Co., Oregon, 22 Jul 1898, p. 3.)
Extract from The People's Republic, Wasco, Oregon, 3 Nov 1898, under Wasco items: About 60 guests assembled at the residence of P. H. Robinson, of Biglow, Monday to celebrate the anniversary of his birthday. (Genealogy Trails website for Sherman County, Oregon.)
1900 U.S. Census, E.D. 37, Wasco Precinct, Sherman Co., Oregon; dwelling 160, family 160, lines 29-30, p. 145 (printed), p. 9A (written), 18 Jun 1900.
29. Robinson, Philip, head, Nov 1855, 44, single; self and parents born in Pennsylvania; farmer.
30. McIlvain -----, boarder, male, 67, widowed; self and parents born in Kentucky.
W½SW¼ of Section 11; Township 001N, Range 018E, Sherman Co., Oregon. U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office, website.
• Patent image not available. It is not known if Philip H. Robinson obtained the patent by cultivating the land for 5 years and building a dwelling, or by a 6-month residency with improvements and payment of $1.25 per acre.
"—Philip Robinson of Montana is visiting relatives here." ("Dewey," The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois, 15 Dec 1902, p. 3.)
Phillip Robinson was among the guests who attended Isaac Painter, senior's, 66th birthday on 10 May 1903. ("Dewey," The Champaign County News, Champaign, Illinois, 16 May 1903, p. 5.)
"Phil Robinson left for Oregon on Monday, after a six-months visit with relatives here. [...] John Painter had a big dinner and family reunion, Sunday, in honor of his brother, Phil Robinson, who leaves for his home in Oregon this week." ("Dewey," The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois, 3 Jun 1903, p. 3.)
"—Mr. H. Brush and family and Philip Robinson left Monday for Washington." ("Dewey," Weekly Pantagraph, Bloomington, Illinois, 5 June 1903, p. 7.)
• See family name in 1910 U.S. Census, below.
1910 U.S. Census, E.D. 35, Macksburg Precinct, Clackamas Co., Oregon; dwelling 67, family 67, lines 83-87, p. 4B (written), 26-27 Apr 1910.
83. Brusch, Franz, head, 81; self and parents born in Germany.
84. ----- Mary, wife, 64, married 47 years, 8 children (6 living); self and parents born in Germany.
85. ----- John, son, 24 single, Oregon, farmer.
86. Robinson, Philip, boarder, 56, married once, widowed; self and parents born in Pennsylvania; farm laborer, working out [not working on his own or his family's farm].
87. Brusch, William, son, 42, single, Illinois, farmer.
• Philip Robinson died in 1919 in the "Busch" household.
"Phillip Robinson on his trip from the northwest, came through Canada. He says one whole day's trip was through wheat fields and they are just threshing wheat and that that section of the country was visited by eight inches of snow a short time ago." ("Dewey," The Champaign Daily Gazette, Champaign, Illinois, 10 Oct 1911, p. 4.)
"—Philip Robinson, from the state of Oregon, and Ike Painter of Dewey visited Manuel Painter from Friday over Sunday." ("Foosland," The Champaign Daily News, Champaign, Illinois, 10 Jan 1912, p. 8.)
• It is not clear if Ike was Philip's step-father Isaac, senior, or half-brother Isaac, junior. Emanuel Painter was Isaac, senior's, nephew.
"Oregon Death Index, 1903-1998," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VZ48-RYX : 11 December 2014), Philip H. Robinson, 28 Mar 1919; from "Oregon, Death Index, 1898-2008," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2000); citing Clackamas, Oregon, certificate number 109, Oregon State Archives and Records Center, Salem.
Will of Philip H. Robinson, dated 1 Jun 1918, proved 5 Apr 1919.
"Nine hundred dollars to L. E. Fridley, Lexington, Morrow County, Oregon.
"The remainder [...] to be equally divided among my three brothers, Isac [sic ] Painter, St. Louis, Michigan, John Painter and Sameul [sic ] McClain, both of Dewey Illinois.
"I wish to be buried in a plain a manner as possible by the Odd Fellows in the Odd Fellow Cemetary [sic ] at Aurora Oregon.
"It is my request that no German minister talk at my funeral.
"Please notify W. H. Swayze, Ashland, Kansas and Byron A. Brown, New Plymouth Idaho, in case of my death."
In the 1870 U.S. Census, East Bend Twp., Champaign Co., Illinois, Swayze's brother John headed the household in which Anthony Hillsberry was enumerated as a farm laborer. Byron A. Brown, then age 1, was also enumerated in the township.
"Phillip Robinson Dead," Aurora Observer, Aurora, Marion County, Oregon, 3 Apr 1919, p. 1.
Reprints in: The Daily Capital Journal, Salem, Oregon, 5 Apr 1919, p. 3, and Marshfield Daily Coast Mail, Marshfield, Oregon, 5 Apr 1919, p. 3.
Reviewed 8 July 2023.
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PHILIP H. ROBINSON
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