Monterey County CA Archives Biographies.....Robinson, William D. 1825 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ca/cafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 28, 2007, 11:33 pm Author: Luther A. Ingersoll, Editor (1893) WILLIAM D. ROBINSON, Esq., one of the few surviving pioneers of Monterey, California, was born in New York city, October 26, 1825, and spent his earlier years in his native city. He came to the State of California in 1847, and to Monterey in March, same year. He came as a soldier of the Mexican war, and a member of the famous Stevenson's regiment, the history and mission of which is familiar to readers of California history. Mr. Robinson joined this expedition in New York city, whence he sailed around Cape Horn, and after a six months' voyage landed in San Francisco harbor. After a two days' stay there, they were transported to Monterey. From 1848 to 1852 Mr. Robinson engaged in mining. He also invested in Monterey city property, which he still owns, and likewise bought a ranch in the vicinity of Monterey. He was for years more or less identified with local civil affairs, holding various offices. In 1862 he was Inspector of Customs at the port of Monterey for two years; in 1864 he was appointed President of the local Council, and for a time was acting Mayor of the city. He was later Town Marshal, which position he filled with credit to himself and to the people for whom he acted. He married Miss Esther Bertholf, in New York city, a lady of German descent, and they have four sons and one daughter living. Few men now living have seen more of pioneer life in California than he, and few enjoy more justly the esteem of their fellow-men. Additional Comments: Extracted from: Memorial and Biographical History of the Coast Counties of Central California. Illustrated. Containing a History of this Important Section of the Pacific Coast from the Earliest Period of its Discovery to the Present Time, together with Glimpses of its Auspicious Future; Illustrations and Full-Page Portraits of some of its Eminent Men, and Biographical Mention of many of its Pioneers, and Prominent Citizens of To-day. HENRY D. BARROWS, Editor of the Historical Department. LUTHER A. INGERSOLL, Editor of the Biographical Department. "A people that take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants."-Macaulay. CHICAGO: THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY. 1893. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/monterey/bios/robinson869bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/cafiles/ File size: 2.9 Kb