JOHN R. ROBINSON, Sr. - A prominent banker of Chico, closely identified with sound fiscal operations in this county, and with the development of the best commercial interests in this county, and with the development of the best commercial interests of the community, was John R. Robinson, long known here as an enterprising citizen and a liberal, kind-hearted neighbor. John R. Robinson was born at Lexington, Mo., on September 22, 1842, the son of William C. Robinson, who was a native of the South and a member of one of the finest old Southern families. William Robinson brought his wife and children across the plains with ox-teams and prairie schooners in 1852, when his son John was only ten years old, and arriving in California settled at Hansonville, in a mining district. He made a trip back East, but returned to California and died here in the eighties. His good wife had been Miss Eliza Currie, a native of Kentucky. She died at Hansonville, the mother of two children, John R. and Katherine, now Mrs. R.B. Fry, of Forbestown.
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Afforded only such educational opportunities, for the time being, as the public school at Hansonville offered, the ambition of young Mr. Robinson took him to a business college in San Francisco; after which he was with Crew and Conley, express agents and bankers, at La Porte. Later, he was in the same company's office at Quincy, and at Winnemucca, Nev. In 1871, he came to Chico, and here he made many friends as the efficient and obliging agent of Wells, Fargo and Company.
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Four years later, Mr. Robinson was elected county clerk; but after serving one year he resigned to accept a position in the Bank of Butte County at Chico, under Charles Faulkner. In 1877, he was made assistant cashier, and from that time on was closely identified with the growth of the bank. On the death of Mr. Faulkner, in 1897, he was made cashier, and was still with the institution when it was made the Butte County National Bank. On account of ill-health he resigned from the position in 1912, but still continued as vice-president and director, while he also retained his residence here. On October 9, 1915, to the great regret of the entire community, he died.
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An active Democrat, and a loyal American citizen, Mr. Robinson always supported the broader and better movements, irrespective of party lines. He was interested in various enterprises. He was president of the Butte County Savings Bank, was a director in the Chico Water Company, and owned valuable property in city lots and orchard acreage. He was a Mason of the Knights Templar degree, and was a member of Islam Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., in San Francisco.
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On April 9, 1873, Mr. Robinson was married at Chico, his bride being Miss Mary Ellen Jones, who was born in Shasta County, the daughter of George F. Jones, whose unusually interesting sketch is presented elsewhere. Favored with parents who strongly upheld higher education, Miss Jones was educated at the famous Mills College in Oakland. Since the death of her husband, Mrs. Robinson has continued to reside here. She is the mother of four children. George Foster, who lives at home, is in the insurance business; John Rose is an attorney of Chico; Albert S. has an insurance and real estate business at Los Altos, Cal.; and Frank S. is a civil engineer at Chico. Source: "History of Butte County, Cal.," by George C. Mansfield, Page 712, Historic Record Co, Los Angeles, CA, 1918.