Merced County CA Archives Biographies.....Robinson, William 1828 - 1905
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Author: John Outcalt (1925)

DR. WILLIAM ROBINSON

   The subject of this interesting review, Dr. William Robinson, was born in
Athens County, Ohio, September 12, 1828, a son of Ebenezer and Elizabeth
(Hamilton) Robinson. The father died at Zanesville, Ohio, in 1833. At the age of
fourteen years, William Robinson assumed the responsibilty of providing for
himself, and until he was sixteen years old worked for four dollars a month. In
December, 1844, he went to Des Moines, Iowa, and there took up a government
claim, on which he built a cabin. In a short time he went to Schuyler County,
111., and there engaged in the trade of broom-making. In 1847 he enlisted in the
service of his country in the war against Mexico, being a member of Company C,
commanded by Capt. N. C. Cunningham. He arrived at the front too late to
participate in the actual fighting, but did patrol duty until he was honorably
discharged on July 7, 1848. During his service in the war with Mexico he
mastered the Spanish language, becoming very proficient. On September 1, 1848 he
went to Independence, Mo., where he was in the employ of a railroad company, for
a time, and then returned to Schuyler County, Ill., and worked at the cooper's
trade until 1850.

   In 1850 William Robinson was married to Miss Susanna Woodruff, and they
removed to Henderson County, Ill., where he devoted his energies to agriculture
until 1854. His next abiding place was Oskaloosa, Iowa, and there he farmed and
worked at the cooper's trade until 1863. Then came a call for additional troops
to defend the old flag, and he volunteered in Captain Sherry's 3rd Iowa Cavalry,
serving in the quartermaster's department at Davenport for nine months, when he
was discharged on account of the death of his wife, who left five children:
William H.; Joshua A.; Annie Jane, who married Joseph Brady of Kansas City, Mo.;
George Edward; and Addie Leona, who married Peter S. Skelly. He then worked at
the carpenters' trade for a while. In September, 1869, Dr. Robinson was married
a second time, this union joining him to Miss Melissa Yonker. After their
marriage they removed to Missouri, where he farmed from 1869 to 1874. Then
followed the journey to California, where Mr. Robinson became the owner of one
of the productive farms in Merced County. Of this second marriage the following
children were born: James B.; Nellie M., who married Joseph Harrigan of San
Francisco; Benjamin B., a rancher near Snelling; Frank D., in Merced; Flora B.,
wife of John Wolfsen of Merced County; Sheldon, who died aged twenty years; and
Alice, who died in childhood.

   Dr. Robinson's career was marked with many changes, and he experienced many
different phases of life, but the attractions of the Golden State were
sufficient to hold him for the balance of his life. He passed away in Merced in
1905, aged seventy-seven years. Mrs. Robinson passed on in 1911. Dr. Robinson
was an exemplary citizen. He was strictly temperate in his habits, a profound
student of the Bible, and in every way a man whom it was an honor to know; and
he was recognized as one of the most esteemed citizens of Merced County.


Additional Comments:
From:

HISTORY OF
MERCED COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
WITH A
Biographical Review
OF
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present

HISTORY BY
JOHN OUTCALT

ILLUSTRATED COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1925


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