A teacher, soldier, legislator, civic leader and advertising executive, Mr. Robinson was born in Beloit on May 15, 1884, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Charles S. Robinson and grandson of 1856 pioneer Walter Lincoln Robinson. He was educated in the Beloit elementary and high school and graduated in the class of 1905 at Beloit College.

In 1917 he married the former Clara Stiles, granddaughter of T.L. Wright, Sr., Beloit educator and industrialist. After graduating from college, Mr. Robinson taught school at Beloit High School and in the Fargo, North Dakota school system. Caught up in the World War I fracas, he enlisted in the U.S. Army serving time in France and earning the rank of Lt. Colonel by the time of his discharge. His army experience resulted in interest in the local ROTC, Beloit’s Company L and the American Legion.

As a legislator from this senatorial district, he sponsored a number of veteran’s bills. During 1939 Mr. Robinson retired after twenty years spent as an advertising executive and upon returning to Beloit, became involved in a number of community enterprises. As a member of the Board of Education, he assisted in developing Memorial High School and through his suggestion the school was erected in memory of veterans.

Other activities were in the local Red Cross Chapter, the YMCA, Family Welfare, Historical Society and corporator, trustee and vice president of the Savings Bank. Mr. Robinson also assisted in organizing the Council of Defense in Beloit During World War II and became its first president. In 1942 Mr. Robinson was elected to the state Senate where he served three successive terms until cut short by his unexpected death. Robinson elementary school and street were named in his honor. The Beloit Daily News editorialized upon his death “as an unselfish individual, liked people and never rested upon his past laurels.”