Biographical Sketch of

William Robinson

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 610- 613


William Robinson, who resides on section 21, in the town of Westfield, is a worthy representative of the 
Irish citizens of Marquette County.  He was born in County Down in the month of August, 1822, and is a 
son of James Robinson, who died when William was but a lad.  His wife, the mother of our subject, survived 
her husband a number of years.  They were parents of four children, all of whom grew to mature years, 
while two are yet living--William, who was the only son; and Eliza, widow of Hugh Coghran, a resident 
of Steele County, Dakota.
 
The boyhood days of our subject were unmarked by any event of special importance, but after attaining to 
a man's estate he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Bennett, a sister of John Bennett, of the town 
of Westfield.  They began their domestic life in their native country, but with the hope of bettering 
their condition in the New World, they bade good-bye to home and friends and in 1851, sailed for America.  
The first summer after their arrival was spent in Dexter, Mich., but in the fall of the same year we find 
them in Marquette County, where they have since made their home.  Settling on land in the town of Westfield, 
in 1854.  Mr. Robinson began the development of the farm which is now his home.  It was indeed no easy 
task to transform the hitherto uncultivated land into a tract of such great fertility, but nothing daunted 
by the trials and difficulties of pioneer life he began his work and day by day added to the amount of land 
which he had cultivated.  When the land was cleared he planted crops and it was not long before his efforts 
were rewarded with bounteous harvests, and now his broad acres pay a golden tribute to the care and 
cultivation which he bestows upon them.  He has also made many improvements of a substantial character 
and justly ranks among the leading farmers of the community.
 
Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Robinson, five sons and five daughters:  James, John, William, 
Elmer, Sarah Ann, Isabel, Eliza and Jane Agnes.  Two children are deceased--Samuel, who died at the age of 
twenty-two years; and Mary Jane, who died when three years of age.  The parents are both members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and are earnest and consistent Christian people.  They are now in their declining 
years but in looking backward need feel no regret for the past and in looking forward have no fears for the 
future.  Their lives have been well and worthily spent and throughout the community they are held in the 
highest regard.  As a citizen, Mr. Robinson is faithful and true.  He loves Ireland as the land of his birth, 
but has never yet had occasion to regret casting his lot with the people of America.






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