Memorials › Rev Thomas Foster Robeson

Rev Thomas Foster Robeson

16 Apr 1839 – 25 Jan 1929

Birth16 Apr 1839
Death25 Jan 1929
CemeteryDreamland Cemetery
Canyon , Randall County , Texas , USA
Added bySmilydino on 02 Sep 2011
FaGhttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/30667072

Bio

EARLY CANYON PASTOR DIES AT HOME HERE REV. T.F. ROBESON WAS THE FOUNDER OF M.E. CHURCH Career of Minister Remarkable for Its Length and Its Wide Scope of Service in Texas The Rev. T.F. Robeson, founder of the First Methodist Church of Canyon, died at his home here last Friday. The pioneer minister was nearing his ninetieth birthday. The death of Mr. Robeson marked the rapid closing of that small circle of ministers who came to Texas from the old South, and removed one of the few remaining men who had been circuit riders. Mr. Robeson had lived in Texas since 1886 and in the Panhandle territory since 1887. During his years of active ministry he was pastor of practically every existing church in this section. Funeral services were held last Saturday at the new Methodist Church-a building striking in its contrast to the poverty of property which handicapped the church at the time of its organization. Hundreds of Canyon and Panhandle-Plains residents attended the funeral, evidencing the esteem in which Mr. Robeson was held thru-out the section. The body was buried in Dreamland cemetery. Born in the hills of Buncombe County, North Carolina in 1839, Mr. Robeson early found himself a part of the westward movement, then a participant in the Civil war, then on the move to the west again. At every stopping place his work was constructive. Although he went to school less than a year, he became well educated through his own efforts. In Tennessee he was associated for three years with George Stewart who afterward gave his church such outstanding service. Stewart gave the credit for his work to Robeson, and had recently visited here with his friend. From Cooke County, Robeson removed in 1887 to Hemphill County. Soon he left Hemphill, for there were no schools, and he vowed that "cattle or no cattle, I am not going to bow down to ignorance for my children." He moved to Childress County. Robeson's kindness and earnestness of purpose can be seen in the incident of the cowboy who came to the dugout in which the preacher lived. He reported that his wife was an invalid but that she would like to hear preaching. Robeson said, "Tell your wife I will come and preach to her. You may call the neighbors in if you want to, but this sermon is going to be for your sick wife." Driving many miles over the sand hills he came to the dugout home and found there twelve neighbors who had come many miles to hear "preaching." Robeson organized two churches, the one here, and the Methodist church of Hereford, and conducted the first worship in many tiny cow towns. When he came to Canyon, there were eight or ten families and three saloons. Due to his fearless leadership, the saloons were voted out three years after his arrival. The church at Bovina, famed supply depot for the great X I T ranch, was organized in an eating house. The men sat around on the floor, the few chairs being given to women. At Vega, now the county seat of Oldham County, at Tulia, Tevico, Hereford, Dimmitt and practically every little settlement west of the New Mexico line and south to Lubbock, Robeson preached and helped organize churches. Rev. G.S. Hardy, now of Chillicothe, was presiding elder in those early days. He declares that Robeson could have been one of the great leaders of Southern Methodism, but that he preferred preparing others for the great tasks while he carried on the hard labor of circuit rider. He felt himself the instrument of God. "God leads to grace the pioneers, Who walk each hour with danger; Knows these grim men for his peers; Gives his bread to the stranger- Doing all that a neighbor can, God rides still a weary man. God-in the circuit rider's breast- Once more God built a world- Our West." Even in his last days this old circuit rider saw the problems of a rapidly developing section and of the entire country with surprising clarity and insight. His long, lonely rides, with saddle bags flopping at his sides, and with sandstorms whipping into his face, as he went about his duties, gave him time for meditation on the fundamentals of life. Mr. Robeson is survived by eight (seven) children: Mrs. J.E. Swafford, Amarillo; R.L. Robeson, Canyon; Miss Hannah Robeson, Canyon; Mrs. R.A. Huff (Hough), Canyon; Mrs. J.T. Coffee, Canyon; T.L. Robeson, Hereford; and Mrs. Sterling Coffee, Amarillo. Another son, L.A. Robeson of Tahoka, died last Christmas day, just a month before the death of his father. Mrs. Robeson, the former Miss Viana Glance, whom he married in North Carolina, died March 9, 1915. Mr. Robeson held pastorates at Memphis, Plainview, Clarendon, Canyon, Hereford, Kress, Goodnight and Tulia. He appeared for sermons practically in every town of the Panhandle region during the early days. Published: The Canyon News , Canyon, Texas Thursday, January 31, 1929, p1; p.10

Inscription

1st. Sgt. Co.K 60 N.C. Inf. CSA

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