Charles Kingsley Robinson (1835-1887) was born in New York and moved with his parents to Michigan at the age of three. At age 17, he entered Albion Seminary in Michigan and spent two years there. He then spent two years at Oberlin and he graduated from Antioch College in 1857 with a degree in literature after studying with Horace Mann. He taught school for a year then moved to Detroit and worked at a law firm. In 1860 he received a law degree from Ann Arbor Law school in Michigan. He moved to East Saginaw, Michigan, and practiced law for 15 years.

In 1866 Robinson opened C.K. Robinson & Co, a bank in East Saginaw. In 1872, the bank merged with Second National Bank of East Saginaw. Robinson stayed president for a year then retired and stayed on the board of directors.

In 1875 he moved to Oakland and concentrated on "literary pursuits."

In 1861, President Lincoln appointed Robinson to the position of "United States Land Office Receiver," and Robinson held the position until Lincoln died.7

Robinson lived at 1706 Seward (which is now 10th Street, west of Peralta in West Oakland)5 or maybe 676 10th.6

Robinson was elected to mayor in 1882. He was a Republican.11

In 1882 and 1883, Robinson gave speeches on the cost of running the city. robinson.pdf robinson 1882.pdf At his first presentation to City Council in 1882, he went over how the costs of running the city had increased by $100,000 in 6 years and how the city could reduce expenditures.9

He was married to Carrie Williams in 1862 and had two surviving children, Lillie and Inez.1 In 1884 Robinson was thrown from a buggy and received internal injuries. (This does not appeared to be related to his death.)10

Robinson was a member of the United Order of Honor and the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and Chosen Friends.8

Robinson is buried at Mountain View Cemetery.

Note: There was another Charles Robinson in Oakland who was a "horseman" and up to no good- maybe a bad secret brother, cousin or sneaky son? Maybe no relation at all? This Charles Robinson worked as a valet for the jockey Patsey Freeman.3 In 1897 he stabbed another horseman in Emeryville and pled guilty. He was sentenced to 3 months in jail.2 In 1906, the (presumably) same Robinson escaped from jail where he was serving a term for larceny. He was caught quickly and returned.4

Links and References

  1. Wood, MW. History of Alameda County, California: Including Its Geology ... Oakland: M. W. Wood, Publisher, 1883.
  2. "OAKLAND NEWS NOTES." San Francisco Chronicle: May 7, 1897.
  3. "DAN GODFREY STABBED DURING A POOL GAME." San Francisco Chronicle: Mar 22, 1897.
  4. "PRISONER WALKS OUT TO LIBERTY: Inmate of Oakland City Jail Escapes, but Is Soon Recaptured." San Francisco Chronicle: Dec 21, 1906.
  5. Husted's. 1884.
  6. Husted's. 1887.
  7. Wood, MW.
  8. "COUNCIL AND LODGE." San Francisco Chronicle: Nov 26, 1887.
  9. "OAKLAND's EXPENSES.: The Mayor Points out How They May Be Reduced." San Francisco Chronicle: May 2, 1882.
  10. "OAKLAND ITEMS." San Francisco Chronicle: Dec 2, 1884.
  11. "OAKLAND REPUBLICANS.: E. M. Gibson Nominated for Mayor--Councilmen." San Francisco Chronicle: Mar 6, 1883.

 

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