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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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History of the Great Lakes
Illustrated, In Two Volumes, Vol. II
Chicago, J. H. Beers & Co., 1899

           [258-259]

               WILLIAM J. ROBINSON, an engineer of some eighteen years'
            experience, and chief engineer of the C. R. Corwith estate
            building at Nos. 1 16-124 Market street, Chicago, was born in
            Montcalm county, Mich., in 1859, a son of STEPHEN and MARY
            (STONEBURNER) ROBINSON, the former of whom was born in
            Scotland; the latter in Michigan, of Scotch ancestry. Prior to
            coming to America the father was a sailor on salt water, and
            while residing here he sailed on the lakes. His death occurred
            at Grand Rapids, Mich., in 1867. The mother has since become
            the wife of JOHN THOMPSON, of German descent, who was also a
            saltwater sailor in early life, and afterward sailed on the
            lakes, following that pursuit for twenty-four years, became a
            practical seaman, and who is now residing on a fruit farm near
            White Lake, Mich. Our subject's paternal great-grandfather,
            RITZ ROBINSON, was an Indian trader, and was the first white
            settler on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, having trading
            posts at Grand Haven and Grand Rapids, Mich., where he traded
            in furs for many years. He married an Indian maiden, the
            daughter of the chief of the Ottawas. and died in Michigan.
               In that State WILLIAM J. ROBINSON spent his boyhood and
            youth, his education being mostly acquired at Grand Haven,
            where he also learned engineering. In 1875 he commenced
            sailing on fishing tugs out of that port, and engaged in all
            kinds of fishing for a time, being shipwrecked while on a
            fishing boat out of Grand Haven, after which he served an
            apprenticeship to the machinist's trade in the shops of Wilson
            & Henry, at Montague, Mich. He then became a licensed engineer,
            and was engineer of the T. W. Snook, engaged in the lumber
            business between Chicago and all Michigan ports, remaining on
            her three seasons. The following season he was engineer on the
            Charles A. Street, running from Chicago to Ashland and Buffalo;
            and assisted in the building of the barge H. C. Ackley, engaged
            in the ore trade between Escanaba and Grand Haven, which was
            lost off Grand Haven in 1878, only seven of the crew of fifteen
            men being saved. For three years he was engineer on tugs run-
            ning along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan between Grand
            Haven, White Lake and other ports, followed by three years on
            the summer and winter boats of the Goodrich Transportation
            Company, including theCity of Racine, and the City of
            Ludington. Going to Sheboygan, Wis., he fitted out the J. W.
            Johnston for the Shores Lumber Company, of Ashland, Wis.,
            formerly the Powers, and remained on her one season. In 1893,
            or the World's Fair year, he was employed as engineer on one of
            the boats belonging to the World's Fair fleet, running from Van
            Buren street to the fair grounds, and the same year sailed the
            Fanny M. Rose, a pleasure yacht, on Spring lake, making trips
            from the summer resorts, Fruitport and the Springs to Grand
            Haven. He engaged in stationary work in Michigan, but the fol-
            lowing year came to Chicago, and in February, 1896, accepted
            his present position.
               At one time MR. ROBINSON was a member of the Volunteer Life
            Savings Station at Grand Haven, and was fortunate in saving
            the life of E. B. WARD, a wealthy lumberman of Detroit, his
            life boat being an Indian Mackinac. Socially, he is a member
            of the Stationary Engineers Association, No. 3, of Chicago;
            Ottawa Lodge No. 26, and the Knights of the Maccabees, both of
            Grand Haven; and the Ancient Order of United Workmen at Grand
            Rapids.
               In 1881, at Grand Rapids, MR. ROBINSON was united in
            marriage with MISS OLIVIA CHAFFEE, a native of Kent county,
            Mich., and they are the parents of one daughter. MAY EDNA.

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