ALVIN ROBINSON, druggist, is a native of Kosciusko County, Indiana, born June 4, 1845. He was educated in the schools of his native county, attending in his boyhood the log-cabin school-houses of that early day. At the age of eighteen years he enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, in which he served six months. He re-enlisted February 21, 1865, in Company D, One Hun_dred and Fifty-second Indiana Infantry, for one year, and was mustered out at Charleston, West Virginia, August 18, 1865, and returned home unharmed. He was on duty principally in Tennessee and Virginia. He was with his regiment on several severe marches, and for five days at Cumberland Gap they subsisted on two ears of corn which had been "faked" from the troughs of army mules, and a half-pound of beef. Mr. Robinson was married February 1, 1866, to Miss Mary J. Cuffel, of Kosciusko County. Her parents, Jacob and Mahala Cuffel, were formerly residents of Ohio. They first settled on Eel River, coming to this county about 1840, where both died, leaving six children, all of whom are residents of Lake Township, Kosciusko County. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have two daughters - Florence and Annie. In 1874 Mr. Robinson purchased the drug stock of Worley & Stout, and has since done a business in drugs, notions, etc. This store was the first of its kind in Silver Lake, and is still the leading drug store of the village. His brick residence is among the best in the village, and the surroundings of both his store and residence give evidence of prosperity. He is one of the enterprising, public-spirited citizens of the village in which he lives, of which he has been treasurer two terms, and the same number of terms has been a member of the council. In politics he is a Republican, and was chairman of the Republican Central Committee. He is a charter member of the Grand Army Post, No. 306, of which he is commander. The grandparents of our subject, William and Nancy (Miller) Robinson, were born, reared and married in the State of Kentucky, and were the parents of eleven children, nine being natives of the same State - Henry, William, Ann, Sarah, Robert, John, James, Samuel, George and Andrew. The grand-parents came from near Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky, in 1829, to Indiana, when they located in Tippecanoe County, and in 1837 removed to Seward Township, Kosciusko County, and settled on the farm which is now owned and occupied by the widow and children of his youngest son, Andrew. John Robinson, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Kentucky, January 11, 1813, and was a mere lad when he came with his parents to Tippecanoe County, and in 1837 he moved to Kosciusko County. He was reared a farmer, which vocation he has followed the greater part of his life, although at times interested in mercantile pursuits. In 1837 he was married to Miss Martha A. Sharp, a native of New Bedford County, Virginia, but at the time of her marriage living in Tippecanoe County, her parents also being natives of Bedford County. They were the parents of six children, and of this number only two survive - Eliza J. and Alvin, our subject. Mary, wife of Joseph Kemp, Elvira, Joseph and Alexander are deceased. The mother is now deceased.

Source: Biographical & Historical Record of Kosciusko Co., IN.; Lewis Publishing Co., 1887
Dated: August 28, 2000

DAVID ROUDEBUSH, an old settler of this county, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, March 14, 1815, son of George and Susanna Roudebush, the former a native of Maryland and the latter of Virginia. In 1830 he came with his father to Indiana, settling in what is now known as Elkhart County, near the site of the present city of Goshen. The father died near Bristol, Indiana. David was educated in the common schools of that day, and was thrown upon his own resources at a very early age, being obliged to work his way as best he could. He has been twice married. His first wife was Irena C. Shelby, of this county. They had three children, all of whom are deceased. His second wife was Mrs. Elizabeth (Farrington) Watts. For about three years after coming to this county he lived with a relative, west of Leesburgh, since which time he has been identified with the development and business interests of Leesburgh. He followed carpentering several years after coming to the county, and afterward conducted a cabinet and furniture store about fifteen years. He built the first grist-mill in Leesburgh, near the site of the present mill, and had it furnished throughout with the old system of machinery. The dimensions of the mill were 40 x 52 feet, containing three stories, with three run of burrs, and did custom work principally. The mill was a great convenience to the early pioneer, being centrally located and convenient to all in the county. Mr. Roudebush was connected with this mill about three years, then sold to Albert Hawks, of this county. It subsequently changed hands several times, and was finally burned, when Stickney & Card were proprietors. Mr. Roudebush retired from active business severa1 years ago, the management of his estate affording him sufficient employment for his declining years. It can be truly said that he is a self-made man. He came to the county a poor boy, but by his industry, economy and good management he has accumulated a good property. He served as treasurer of Plain Township several years, and has been a member of the village Board of Trustees. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 181, at Leesburgh, and in politics is a Republican. Besides his village property he owns a well-improved farm of 140 acres. He claims to have established the first grist-mill in Northern Indiana.

Source: "History of Kosciusko County"
Date Posted: January 29, 2001

LEMUEL WILLARD ROYSE, mayor of Warsaw, and member of the law firm of Haymond & Royse, was born in this county, near Pierceton, in 1847. His father, George W. A. Royse, was a native of New Hampshire. He was a blacksmith by occupation, and came to this county in 1835. Previous to coming here, however, he was ordained a Methodist minister, and rode the circuit in Ohio. After settling in this county he officiated as a local minister. He also taught school, and it is supposed that he taught the first school in the county. He was originally a Whig in politics, but upon the organization of the Republican party he espoused its principles. He served for years, in an early day, as justice of the peace of Turkey Creek Township. He died at Larwill, Whitley County, in April, 1859, aged fifty-seven years. The mother of our subject, Nancy Choplin Royse, was a native of Vermont, and was born near the old Bennington battle ground. She was married to Mr. Royse in Wood County, Ohio, and in 1835 came with him to this county. She is now living, and resides with her son, the subject of this sketch, at Warsaw. She was formerly a member of the Christian church, but is now a member of the Universalist church at Pierceton. Mr. Royse has lived mostly in this county. When six years of age he removed with his parents to Larwill, Whitley County. He was twelve years of age when his father died, and he was then taken by a farmer in this county, for whom he worked until he was sixteen. He then began to support his widowed mother and her family. During that time he attended the district schools, and also studied at home. When eighteen years old he began to teach school during the winter. He taught eight winter terms and worked on a farm during the summer. While teaching he privately began the study of law, and in the spring of 1872 he entered the office of Frazer & Encell, at Warsaw, with whom he studied two summers. He was admitted to the bar at Warsaw in September, 1873, and in the summer of 1874 he began the practice of his chosen profession at Warsaw. In 1875 he became associated with Edgar Haymond, and formed the law firm of Haymond & Royse. Politically he is a Republican. In 1876 he was elected prosecuting attorney for the Thirty-third Judicial Circuit of the State of Indiana, composed of Kosciusko and Whitley counties, for a term of two years. In May, 1885, he was elected mayor of Warsaw for two years. July 10, 1883 he was married at Hillsdale, Michigan, to Miss Belle McIntyre, of that place, and they have one child - James M. Mr. Royse is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and has passed the chairs of the subordinate lodge.

Source: "History of Kosciusko County"
Date Posted: January 29, 2001

Deb Murray