JOHN E. ROBISON, M. D.
It is often said that a poet is born, meaning that the individual who essays
to court the muses with success must have been peculiarly fitted by mother
nature. It seems that the same phrase might be applied with equal truth to
the successful practitioner of medicine. Of course the poet can go ahead
and write without taking any special preparatory work in college. There is
not much to be learned in the way of the "mechanical" part of his work, such
as the laws of prosody, and on the other hand the physician must take a long
and special course of study, but if he succeeds above the ordinary plodder
he must be specially gifted by nature. Many men go through the prescribed
routine of work under the law and obtain a diploma entitling them to
practice medicine when they are utterly unfit for this field of work and do
more harm than good. One of the general practitioners of Clinton county who
seems to have been peculiarly fitted for his chosen vocation is Dr. John E.
Robison, of the village of Geetingsville, Warren township, for he has been
successful from the first and has ingratiated himself into the hearts and
affections of his patients. In due course of time he will doubtless rank
among the leading professional men of this section of the state.
Dr. Robison was born August 28, 1871, in the above named township and
county. He is a son of Andrew M. and Hannah A. (Bate) Robison. The father
was born November 27, 1833, also in Warren township, Clinton county, having
enjoyed the distinction of being the second white child born in Warren
township. He was a son of Andrew Robison, Sr., one of the first settlers in
this vicinity, who entered land here when the country round about was a
wilderness and still roamed by red men and wild beasts. He began life in
typical pioneer fashion, in a log cabin and cleared his land by hard work
and perseverance. From that early day to the present this family has been
well known and highly respected for their industry and exemplary habits.
The father of our subject, who has devoted his life successfully to general
farming is still living, making his home in Owen township, this county. The
mother of the doctor was born January, 1837, and her death occurred on May
7, 1899. Eight children were born to these parents, named as follows: Mrs.
Margaret Smythe; James P., married Maud Bayles; Andrew (deceased); Dr. John
E., of this sketch; Mrs. Emma Erdle; Grizella and Winfield, twins
(deceased), and Mrs. Jessie B. Wright.
Doctor Robison was reared on the home farm and educated in the district
schools in Warren township. First deciding to be a teacher, he attended the
Danville Normal School in order to fit himself, after which he taught two
terms, but deciding that his true bent lay along the line of a practitioner
of medicine he abandoned the school room and began the study of medicine, in
which he made rapid progress. He attended the Indiana Medical College at
Indianapolis, where he made an excellent record and from which he was
graduated with the class of 1901. He soon afterwards located for practice
in the village of Geetingsville, in his native township and county, and here
he has since remained, enjoying a large and growing practice which extends
all over this section of Clinton county.
Doctor Robison was married June 23, 1901 to Sarah E. Miller, who was born in
Ross township, Clinton county, March 7, 1874, and here she grew to womanhood
and was educated in the public schools. She is a daughter of Christian and
Jane (Troxell) Miller, both still living. Mr. Miller devoted his life to
general farming in this locality.
To the doctor and wife three children have been born namely: Adeline, born
July 8, 1902; Paul M., born October 12, 1905; and Lena Esther, born November
24, 1910.
Doctor Robison is owner of eighty acres of valuable land in Tippecanoe
county, near Dayton, Ind., which is well improved. Fraternally, he is a
Mason, being a member of the Council and Commandery, the Blue lodge at Beard
and the Knights Templars of Frankfort. He is a member of the Presbyterian
church, and politically, is a Republican. He is a member of the Clinton
County Medical Society, the Indiana State Medical Association, and the
American Medical Association. Pages 640 - 642. Photo of Mr. and Mrs. Robison
included.
History of Clinton County, Indiana .. With Historical Sketches of
Representative Citizens and Genealogical Records of Many of the Old
Families. By Hon. Joseph Claybaugh. Published 1913 by A. W. Bowen &
Company - Indianapolis, Indiana