John Kelly Robinson (1842-1908)

He was born and raised on a farm at Akron, Ohio. On leaving school, he worked as a clerk in the Akron bookstore while studying telegraphy. He joined the Union Army and fought at the Defense of Cincinnati in 1862. That same year, he started selling matches for one of the smallest manufacturers in the country: the Barber Match Company. He quickly became one of their best salesman and was given a partnership. He and O.C. Barber became best friends and in 1869 he married O.C.'s sister, Henrietta. Two years later (1871), he patented the process for making a superior diamond-shape match. They changed their name to the Diamond Match Company and by 1881 they were producing a quarter of all matches sold across the country. Robinson remained a director and was in charge of sales before being named company Treasurer in 1890, three years after moving their headquarters to Chicago. He was also a founding investor in the Barberton Land & Improvement Company and was involved in railroads, banking and manufacturing. He died at his home in Southport, Connecticut.