R. Robson, M. D., a pioneer physician of Jackson county, and one of the leading members of the medical fraternity, was born in Ritchie county, Virginia (now West Virginia), November 21, 1861. He is a son of Adam and Mary (Douglas) Robson, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Virginia. The father came to America when twenty-two years old. He was a tailor and worked at that occupation in early life, and later followed farming. The family removed to Missouri in 1864, where the father followed farming a number of years. He died in 1896, aged eighty-eight years. Dr. Robson was one of a family of seven children, six of whom are living: Dr. R., the subject of this sketch; William D., Yates Center, Kans.; Adam H., deceased; Eleanor J., resides at Dennison, Mo.; Margaret, married James Tudhope, Linwood, Kans.; Elizabeth, married Harry E. Robson, resides at Hall Summit, Kans., and John A., Dennison, Mo. Dr. Robson was reared on a farm and received his early educational discipline in the public schools of Missouri, and taught school a number of years. He then determined upon a medical career, and began reading medicine, under the direction of Dr. Clayton Tiffin, of Hannibal, Mo., and later entered Ellsworth Medical College at St. Joseph, Mo., where he was graduated in the class of 1889, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He then engaged in practice at Larkin, Kans., where he remained two years. In 1891, he came to Jackson county, locating at Mayetta, where he has since been engaged in the practice o his profession. He is now the second oldest physician, in point of practice, in Jackson county. When he began practice in this county, the life of the country doctor was far different from what it is today. He frequently made trips across the plains, at all hours of the night and day, over almost impassable country roads, and sometimes no roads at all, but like the doctor of the old school, he always went when called, and attended the rich and poor, alike, regarding his pay as a secondary consideration. He has been successful in a financial way, as well as professionally. He now owns one of the finest business blocks in Mayetta, known as the Robson building, which he built in 1904. Dr. Robson was married December 25, 1879, to Miss Charlotte Slack, a native of Missouri. She was born in Ray county, that State. To Dr. and Mrs. Robson have been born eight children: Susan, married Charles Yeakley, Hoyt, Kans.; Franklin, now serving in the U. S. Coast Artillery, and stationed in the Philippine Islands; Thomas; William; Frederick; Frances; Velma and Clark, all at home except the two oldest. Dr. Robson is a member of the County, Northeastern Kansas, and Kansas State Medical Societies, and one of the progressive citizens of Jackson county.