The daughter of Oliver and Carlinda (Thompson) Surprise, Ella Margaret was born November 20, 1881, on the old Surprise homestead near the Carsten mill pond, now Lake Dalecarlia. Next youngest of nine children, four preceded her in death, Clarence, Clayton, Clifford and Lula.
Ella graduated from Jones elementary school at Lake Dalecarlia (classes there were discontinued in 1925) and attended Lowell high school. On July 18, 1903, she was united in marriage to Mel Robinson of the Lake Prairie community. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Drake, pastor of the Crown Point Methodist Church. The couple farmed in Cedar Creek township until Mel retired 12 years ago, to the home on Halsted street where her parents spent their retiring years.
Although the Robinsons had no children of their own, they reared a foster son, Leo Unger, who resides at Trinity Center, California, and Mel's niece, Evelyn Cox, now Mrs. Wendell Monroe of Chicago. The Robinsons helped rear 14 children besides holding open house for their host of nieces and nephews. Ella was loved by all who knew her.
Memorial services were held at the Church of Christ at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, with pastor Loren E. Holt officiating. Interment was in the Lowell cemetery and arrangements were in charge of K.A. Sheets.
Surviving with her husband, foster son and the niece they reared are two sisters, Mrs. Lovisa Love Jones of Commercial Ave., Mrs. Hermie Tillman of Long Island, New York; two brothers, Ernest A. Surprise of Cottage Grove Ave., and Charles L. Surprise, a Hammond attorney; also a host of other relatives and friends
Go to Ella Surprise Robinson, "Pioneer History Index," for further information.
Return to Lowell Biographies.
Contact Reference