WI BIO - Kenosha Co - ROBINSON, William Howard

History of Kenosha and Kenosha County, Wisconsin. Lyman. Chicago: Clarke 
Publishing, 1916, vol II, pp 512-513

William Howard ROBINSON, among the representative merchants and popular 
citizens of the city of Kenosha, was born 02 October 1876 in Kenosha, Kenosha 
County, Wisconsin, a son of William P. and Mary C. (GEORGE) ROBINSON, who 
were born, respectively, in New York and Kenosha. The father [William P. 
ROBINSON] came to Kenosha in 1870, and was employed in the banking 
establishment that was the predecessor of the present First National Bank. 
He was thus connected with the financial interests of the city for many 
years, rising to the position of assistant cashier and so continuing until 
his [William P. ROBINSON's] death, which occurred 13 March 1911.

He [William P. ROBINSON, father of William Howard ROBINSON] is still [text 
published 1916] survived by his widow [Mrs. Mary C. (GEORGE) ROBINSON], who 
is a daughter of Isaac GEORGE, who was widely know as "Bishop" GEORGE, and 
who came to Kenosha from New York in 1840, when the city was a tiny western 
hamlet giving little indication of rapid commercial or industrial 
development. [The city of Kenosha was called Southport until 07 February 
1850, and was in Racine County until Kenosha County was created on 26 January 
1850. What became the State of Wisconsin was part of the Territory of 
Wisconsin, formed 20 April 1836, until the State was created 29 May 1848.]

He [Isaac GEORGE] served as government agent at Little Traverse, Mackinac 
Islands, and was the first dentist in Kenosha [then Southport]. He took up 
the study of dentistry because there was no representative of the profession 
here at the time of his arrival, and he felt that such work was badly needed 
in [p 513] the city. He was well known and very popular and he had marked 
influence in public affairs. He [Isaac GEORGE] was president of the 1001 
Society, and was a very active Mason, exemplifying in his life the beneficent 
spirit of the craft. He [Isaac GEORGE] died in 1878, and in his passing the 
community [Kenosha, Kenosha County, Wisconsin] lost one of its most valued 
and representative citizens.

William Howard ROBINSON began his education in Kenosha [Kenosha County, 
Wisconsin] at the usual age, and advanced through successive grades to the 
high school. In his youthful days he was employed in various ways, making an 
early start by delivering newspapers. Many a man has risen to prominence and 
success from that starting point. There is something in selling newspapers 
that awakens alertness and determination. The boy must watch every 
opportunity for increasing his patronage, for his sales are small and he 
forms habits which prove useful factors in his later career.

It is a far cry from newsboy to proprietor of a well appointed store, but 
within a comparatively short space of time William Howard ROBINSON has 
advanced from the former point to the latter. He was ambitious to advance 
and carefully saved his earnings until economy and industry had brought him 
sufficient capital to enable him, in May 1895, to open a small store. In 
1900 he [William Howard ROBINSON] removed to No. 267 Main Street [renamed 6th 
Avenue about 1926] and in 1906 established his business at No. 263 Main 
Street, where he now [text published 1916] carries a full line of sporting 
goods, books, stationery and office supplies. His establishment is neat in 
appearance, carefully and systematically arranged, and prompt and courteous 
attention is given to the wants of patrons. He has ever realized that 
satisfied customers are the best advertisement and his business has grown 
accordingly.

On 31 October 1911 Mr. [William Howard] ROBINSON married Miss Elsa Agnes 
EGGERS of Kenosha, a daughter of Michael and Katherine EGGERS, who were 
natives of Switzerland, now [text published in 1916] living retired in 
California. Her father [Michael EGGERS] was a carpenter by trade and 
followed contracting and building for some years.

Mr. and Mrs. ROBINSON [William Howard and Elsa Agnes (EGGERS) ROBINSON] are 
well known in social circles of the city [Kenosha], having many friends here. 
In politics he is a stalwart Republican and maintains a progressive stand in 
relation to all municipal affairs. He [William Howard ROBINSON] has served 
as Alderman of the fourth ward for one term, but whether in office or out of 
it, he is diligent in promoting the public good.

He [William Howard ROBINSON] has ever taken a keen interest in clean sports, 
and is one of the proprietors of the Deffery [Jeffery?] and Robinson bowling 
alley. He belongs to the Retailers' Association, and served as its president 
during the second and third years of its existence. Fraternally he is 
identified with the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen, Elks, Moose, and 
Yeomen, and he is appreciative of that spirit which recognizes the 
brotherhood of mankind and the claim of each individual to a certain extent 
upon his fellowmen. He is ever ready to extend a helping hand or speak an 
encouraging word, and in his native city of Kenosha he is today [1916] widely 
known and popular.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly