Funeral of M.C. Robinson - Funeral services in memory of M.C. Robinson, 86, Ashtabula civic leader and owner of the M.C. Robinson & Co., since 1901, were held at the Robinson home, 4026 Stave-Ave, Ashtabula, Tuesday, November 17, 1953, at 3 p.m. Mr. Robinson, who suffered a stroke three years ago, died at his home shortly before 11 a.m. the previous Saturday. Mr. Robinson had been a resident of Ashtabula for the past 52 years, going to that place form Linesville in 1901. Rev. C.W. Stoneburner, officiated at the rites. Mr. Robinson purchased his coal and building supply business in 1901 from J.A. Paisley. Since that time, it has expanded from a single small structure to a group of five buildings which occupy both sides of W. 48th street between Elm Avenue and Park Avenue and the west sides of Park Avenue between the NKP tracks and 49th street. He began operations there with four horse-drawn vehicles. Now the business has a fleet of trucks and concrete mixers. His was the first firm in the area to manufacture concrete blocks and was the first between Cleveland and Buffalo to inaugurate concrete mixer delivery. That practice started in 1928. Mr. Robinson acquired a coal and building concern in 1932 at Conneaut, Ohio. That firm, also a prosperous business, operates under the name of M.C. Robinson & Co. Since 1950, when Mr. Robinson suffered a stroke, a son, RK Robinson, has been managing the business of the coal and building supply firm there. M.C. Robinson was active in the Methodist Church at Ashtabula where he served as Sunday School superintendent for 33 years and chairman of the finance committee for more than 30 years. He was chairman of the building committee at the time the church was erected at its present Elm Avenue site in 1906. He was on the building committee and leader in the erection of the Methodist Church at Linesville. He was past president of the Lay Conference of the North East Conference of Methodist Churches which is the largest Methodist conference in the world. Twice Mr. Robinson was chief delegate to the general conference of the church. That is the highest honor which can be conferred upon a layman. Mr. Robinson served as treasurer for the church there for many years. He was active in temperance and law enforcement activities in the area. Mr. Robinson was a charter member of the Rotary Club, past president of the Ashtabula City Council and a trustee of Ohio Wesleyan University. He was born July 31, 1867, at Chagrin Falls and later moved to Linesville where he was a partner in a flour business. Mr. Robinson and the former Miss Winifred Gehr of Linesville were married in June, 1891. They were feted by more than 200 persons in 1941 for their 50th wedding anniversary open house. At the time of his death they had been married for over sixty-two years. Besides his wife, Mr. Robinson is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Clarence D. Mills, and a son, Russell K. Robinson, both of Ashtabula; seven grandchildren, Mrs. David S. Smith of Tacoma, Wash.; Mrs. James Reed of Chicago, Miss Mary R. Robinson of Durham, N.C.; Richard R. Mills, Greenville, Pa.; C. David Mills, Warren, Ohio; John P. Robinson and Milton C. Robinson III, both of Ashtabula; and eight great-grandchildren. A son, Milton C.Robinson Jr., and a grandson, Russell K. Robinson Jr., preceded him in death. Several years ago Mr. Robinson called on the publisher and found him in the workshop of the newspaper plant where he had in the years gone by visited with the late Samuel W. Lowing, the publisher's father. The two men had been great friends. Mr. Robinson was a man of high ideals and the world was fortunate that he had so many years to contribute so much to good things. That's all for this page! Also, page 28 no longer has any articles on it. They have all fallen off at some time and are no longer to be found. That's why transcribing these scrapbooks are so important! More to follow tonight! Kathy Brubaker Volunteer Genealogist Linesville Historical Society kbrbkr@toolcity.net