John J. Robison (1824–1897) was a 19th-century Michigan politician who was the mayor of Ann Arbor from 1886 to 1887. He also served as a state senator and county clerk.[1]

Biography

Robison was born on August 13, 1824 in Phelps, New York[2][3] to mother Gertrude Hoag and father Andrew Robison, both devoted Presbyterians.[4] Andrew was originally a currier and tanner, but later became involved in general farming.[2][4]

In 1843, Robison moved with his family to Sharon, Michigan.[4][3] He was a schoolteacher in Sharon and Manchester for 18 terms,[3][4] after which he devoted more attention to farming.[4] On May 2, 1847,[4] Robison married Altha E. Gillett and they subsequently had five children together.[4][3]

Robison began dabbling in politics in 1862 when he was first elected to the Michigan Senate.[4] He was re-elected in 1864, and in 1866 he was re-nominated for the position but declined to run.[3] Robison was elected as County Clerk of Washtenaw County in 1868 and again in 1870.[3][4] He was a delegate for the 1872 Democratic National Convention in Baltimore.[3][4] He was also nominated for a seat in the U.S. Congress in 1874 and 1876,[3][4] but was defeated both times.[4] In 1878, Robison was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives.[4][3]

Robison moved to Ann Arbor upon being elected County Clerk in 1882, with his term commencing on January 1, 1883;[4] he was re-elected to the post in 1884.[4] In 1886, he was elected mayor of Ann Arbor and served for one term.[4]

In 1887, Robison bought the Main Street Jail in Ann Arbor and turned it into his family home.[1] Robison died on Tuesday, October 26, 1897 at 6 a.m.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Shackman, Grace (March 10, 2010). Ann Arbor Observed: Selections from Then and Now. University of Michigan Press. p. 7. ISBN 9780472024674.
  2. 1 2 Portrait and Biographical Album of Washtenaw County, Michigan: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of All the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States. University of Michigan: Biographical Publishing Company. 1891. p. 202.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : and Biographies of Representative Citizens. History of Michigan. University of Michigan: C.C. Chapman & Company. 1881. p. 1311.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Portrait and Biographical Album of Washtenaw County, Michigan: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Together with Biographies of All the Governors of the State, and of the Presidents of the United States. University of Michigan: Biographical Publishing Company. 1891. p. 205.
  5. ↑ "John J. Robison Dead". Ann Arbor Register. Ann Arbor District Library. October 28, 1897. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
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