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William Harrison Robinson Sr.

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William Harrison Robinson Sr.

Birth
Fayette County, Ohio, USA
Death
5 Feb 1897 (aged 78)
Jasper County, Indiana, USA
Burial
Baileys Corner, Jasper County, Indiana, USA Add to Map
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William Robinson came to Gillam township, Jasper county in 1838, and was thus one of the earliest settlers. He was a tall man, of imposing appearance. During the War of the Rebellion, his sons Michael, William and Thomas were in the Battle of Gettysburg, at which time William was shot in the face by a sniper. He, on hearing the news, donned his tall hat and long coat and took a train to the hospital where his son lay wounded. On being told it would be out of the question to move the son to a hospital where he could be better cared for, he went into action, and had him on a train that evening. It is said he twirled his Masonic charm which he wore on his watch chain, which must have helped.

On another occasion, word came that his son Thomas was in an army prison, after being involved with a buddy in an altercation with an officer, and Thomas came to his aid. The father immediately entrained for Washington, D.C. where he went directly to his Congressman, Schuyler C. Colfax. Mr. Colfax took him to see the President, Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln asked: "What do you wish from me, Mr. Robinson?" The reply: "Mr. President, I have three sons in the Union Army. I sent them to fight, not to rot in prison." It is related that Pres. Lincoln reached for a pen and wrote out an order, directing the military to restore Thomas to active duty with his regiment.
William Robinson came to Gillam township, Jasper county in 1838, and was thus one of the earliest settlers. He was a tall man, of imposing appearance. During the War of the Rebellion, his sons Michael, William and Thomas were in the Battle of Gettysburg, at which time William was shot in the face by a sniper. He, on hearing the news, donned his tall hat and long coat and took a train to the hospital where his son lay wounded. On being told it would be out of the question to move the son to a hospital where he could be better cared for, he went into action, and had him on a train that evening. It is said he twirled his Masonic charm which he wore on his watch chain, which must have helped.

On another occasion, word came that his son Thomas was in an army prison, after being involved with a buddy in an altercation with an officer, and Thomas came to his aid. The father immediately entrained for Washington, D.C. where he went directly to his Congressman, Schuyler C. Colfax. Mr. Colfax took him to see the President, Abraham Lincoln. Mr. Lincoln asked: "What do you wish from me, Mr. Robinson?" The reply: "Mr. President, I have three sons in the Union Army. I sent them to fight, not to rot in prison." It is related that Pres. Lincoln reached for a pen and wrote out an order, directing the military to restore Thomas to active duty with his regiment.

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