Colonel W.W. Robinson,1 Chippewa Falls, Wis, member of G.A.R. Post No. 68, was born in Fair Haven, Vermont, December 14, 1819. Pastor John Robinson, who accompanied the Pilgrims to Holland and thence to America, was his earliest ancestor in this country and in the maternal line he is of French Huguenot descent. His father and mother, John W. and Rebecca (Merritt) Robinson, were natives of Connecticut and had two sons, the only brother of Colonel Robinson being Andrew N. The father was a Captain in the war of 1812 and fought at Sacketts' Harbor, New York state near Lake Ontario, Plattesburg New York on Lake Champlain and Stone Mill, NY, being severely wounded in the last. He (John) removed to Wisconsin and died in Rock country while the civil war was in progress. His wife's demise occurring a few weeks later.
His mother, Rebecca had been married before to Salmon Norton, who died in 1813, leaving her with six children. According to probate records, Salmon was a miller and not a poor man and Rebecca appears to have been well provided for. A note in the History of Fair Haven, pp 445/446, written by Andrew Adams said that Rebecca Merritt married Salmon Norton Esq. about 1802, he died January 7, 1813 and then she married "John W. Robinson, a poor man, called ‘long John.'"
The History of Fair Haven also reports that John, his brother - the Rev. Septimius Robinson and Eliab Robinson bought a sawmill on April 10, 1819. Septimius became a Congregationalist minister, ordained at Underhill, Vermont in 1824 and serving in Morrisville, Vermont, where he died in 1860. John's father Eliab and was married to Lucy Richardson.
William's mother, Rebecca is descended from a line which has been dated back to 1635 in France. Though her grandfather was born in London, England and her father in Connecticut. Many of the French Huguenots emigrated in this pattern to escape religious persecution in France.
Census record indicate that John and Rebecca were living with William in Ohio in 1850. John's occupation is given as blacksmith.
The son was carefully educated at Rutland and Castleton (A high school, referred to as Castleton Seminary) Academies in Vermont and he was sent afterwards to Norwich Military Academy in that State on the banks of the Connecticut River, where he was a classmate of other officers who reached distinction in the volunteer service and in the Mexican War. Colonel Robinson taught school in his native State and at Jefferson Academy, N.J., and in 1840 he went to Cleveland Ohio, and taught two years. He prospected in the West and visited Wisconsin, but returned to Cleveland and afterwards enlisted in the Mexican War, and was made Lieutenant in Company G, 3rdOhio Infantry under Colonel Curtiss of Pea Ridge fame in the civil war. He was promoted to Captain for distinguished services in Mexico and after continuing through the war, principally occupied in cavalry skirmishing near the San Juan River, he returned to Ohio. In 1852 he went to California across the plains, operating there in contracting and gold digging and in establishing the interests of the Minnesota Water Co., among the placer miners. He went to Minnesota and engaged extensively in farming and took a prominent part in the development of the locality where he settled, founding Wilton, the
(then) county seat of Waseca county. (A check of maps indicates Wilton no longer exists, but is found on the plat map of MN in 1910. Wilton township includes "Silver Lake" which does appear on modern maps). In 1858 he came to Wisconsin, locating at Sparta. During his residence in Minnesota he was made Colonel of the State Militia and performed much service in perfecting the organization in drill. When the rush to fill quotas required of Wisconsin was made the Governor appointed him Lieutenant Colonel of the 7th Wisconsin and he went to the front in September, 1861, joining the "Wisconsin Brigade" of Rufus King. He performed duty with his command, made the fruitless march in spring of 1862 under McClellan towards Manassas, went to the first campaign of the Rappahannock, engaged in small affairs at Thornburg near Fredericksburg. He was in the movement to Frederick's Hall Station and went to Cedar Mountain in time to retreat with Pope and to skirmish at Beverly Ford. He participated in the move to Warrenton after the skirmish at Sulphur Springs, and fought in the first terrific action in which Wisconsin troops were engaged at Gainesville, August 28th. Four regiments, the "Iron Brigade," held the ground against 33 regiments of rebels. The Lieutenant Colonel had been made Colonel of the 7th Wisconsin in the fall of 1861 and in this action his horse was shot under him and he received a bullet in his leg. He was sent to Washington and home, rejoining his command a few days previous to the fight at Fredericksburg in December, 1862. During the action his regiment was on the extreme left and after it was over the command fell back to Belle Plaine and went into winter quarters. In January, Colonel Robinson helped pull Burnside out of the mud, and in the spring went to encounter the disasters whose story is told on countless pages of this work. In the 1st Corps under Wadsworth, Colonel Robinson fought at Fitzhugh's Crossing, April 29th, the transit being hotly contested by the rebels, and he received orders to cross with his regiment on pontoons which was done. They were ordered back and the scrimmage and the scrimmage across the river continued until the battle of Chancellorsville and the brigade reached the field as support, Sunday morning, May 3rd. The regiment took its former position afterwards below Fredericksburg and remained until General Wadsworth ordered General Reynolds to detail Colonel Robinson with a command of troops (which was composed of his own regiment, two companies of the 2nd Wisconsin and the 56th Pennsylvania Infantry) to report to General Russell. Accordingly, he crossed the Rappahannock with his command at Kelly's Ford, found General Russell at Brandy Station and supported a cavalry force in a reconnaissance towards Culpeper Court House, VA., June 9th. They were needed for the rebel cavalry made an attack and the troops fell back "licking" a greatly superior force. Hooker, with the main army, was in pursuit after Lee and the 7th Wisconsin marched 160 miles to the vicinity of Gettysburg, Lee taking a circular route thither. The rebels reached York in advance and created consternation, but Gettysburg wiped out their offenses in that locality.
The Iron Brigade distinguished itself on the first day of that fight in a manner that needs no feeble elaboration on these pages, but General Meredith, commanding, was wounded and the brigade continued it's masterly work commanded by Colonel Robinson of the 7th Wisconsin. He conducted its career during the remainder of the fight and was head of the brigade through his connection with the command; except for a short period while home on a furlough, and until the second day's battle of the Wilderness, when he was again placed in command. June 30th, the brigade bivouacked between Emmettsville and Gettysburg and when the firing commenced on the morning of July 1st, was ordered to move by quick marches to the field, moving 25 minutes and halting 5 minutes until near Gettysburg, when they turned off from the main road and advanced at a double-quick to meet the enemy's infantry, who were advancing to attack our cavalry, engaged at the same time with the rebel cavalry. They were the first Union infantry on the field. Double-quickened in to the "wheatfield,"
and received a storm of shot from the "Devil's Den," when they charged and drove the rebels out, taking a large number of prisoners. An order was received by Colonel Robinson to fall back towards the town, which movement was executed by alternating battalions, with firing, until he reached Seminary Ridge, when a stand was made and where Lieutenant Colonel Callis was severely wounded. Just before sundown orders were received by Colonel Robinson to fall back to Cemetery Hill and the brigade fell back, passing through the town. (The brigade had lost fully one-half its members killed, wounded and missing.) (Click here for Robinson's battle report) July 2nd, Colonel Robinson, with his command, occupied a position in the front line of the right of the center of the main army and held it during two day's fighting, occasionally moving to support a weak point. Lee retreated during the night of July 3rd and the brigade remained on the field on the 4th. On the morning of the 5th the command started on the retrograde march in the same route it had come, keeping on east of the Blue Ridge, the enemy being on the west until the pass at South Mountain leading to Hagerstown was reached. The latter place the rebel rear was overtaken and an action was imminent, but none occurred as Lee got out of the way. Colonel Robinson moved with his brigade to Warrenton and thence to the Rappahannock, and remained at various camps at or near Rappahannock Station until the movement at Mine Run and the 7th was in the action at Buckland Mills. November 26th Colonel Robinson was in the fight with his command at Mine Run. At Kelly's Ford, "veteranizing" took place and Colonel Robinson went to Wisconsin with his regiment on furlough, returning to Culpeper Court House. In the spring the brigade went to the Wilderness campaign, the 1st and 5th Corps uniting under Warren.
The command crossed the Rapidan, bivouacking at the "quartz mills" and, on hearing the firing the next morning, advanced to the rebel breastworks with the enemy on the left and right, the Union troops falling back with great loss. They rested on their arms through the night without light or food. On the morning of the 6ththe firing commenced again, the rebels being driven back to their batteries on a line, crossing the Plank Road, the right falling back and leaving the 7th alone in front. Colonel Robinson issued orders to his men to lie down, which they did, but afterwards fell back. He met General Wadsworth and they had some conversation, which was the last interview of the gallant commander with any human being before he was shot. That night Colonel Robinson resumed command of the brigade. On the 8th the battle of Laurel Hill was fought. On the 12th the brigade was again in action at Spottsylvania. The fighting had been incessant for many days and everybody was worn out, and on a march to another position on the Bowling Green Road it was thought they might obtain rest, but soon after an order came for Colonel Robinson to take a position with the brigade at a point in advance of the army to hold a bridge.
Thence the command went to the North Anna River, where they had a vigorous fight. They then moved to the crossing of the Pamunkey, threw up breastworks on the hills and kept in almost constant motion to some point; going to Cold Harbor and the Chickahominy, having moved June 1st to Bethesda Church. The 7th went to James River and to Petersburg, erecting breastworks and preparing for participation in the work in the trenches there. For more than 30 days Colonel Robinson had not been able to remove his sword or his clothing and, harassed by slight wounds and worn out, there being a full line of officers, he resigned.
He went to Sparta, Wis., and engaged in farming until 1873, when he moved to Chippewa Falls, where his son-in-law resided. In 1875 he was appointed U.S. Consul to Madagascar and continued in that incumbency 12 years. He discharged his duties with distinguished honor and made himself a favorite at Court and with the people. When the Madagascan ambassadors were about to visit the United States and Europe in 1882, the Queen (Queen Ranavalona II 1868–1883) made a special request of the President that Colonel Robinson be allowed to accompany them which he did and everywhere received the most distinguished attention. He returned to America in December, 1886, and, not liking the idea of a life of inactivity, he embarked in the coal trade, associated with his son under the style of H.F. Robinson & Co., buying the ownership of the partner of his son.
Colonel Robinson was married in 1843 at Cleveland, Ohio, to Sarah Jane, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Jane (Bowen) Fisk. Their first-born child - Edward L. - died when eight years old; Leonora Married General Hollon Richardson, of whom a sketch appears on other pages. Two children, named Herbert Fisk and Inez were born to Colonel Robinson and the youngest daughter died in 1864. The second in order of birth, William W., was sent to West Point when he was graduated and he is now (1890) a Lieutenant in the 7th U.S. Cavalry at Fort Reilly. During the course of his distinguished service of Colonel Robinson the alternative of a commission as Brigadier was offered him or a scholarship for hisson at West Point and he unhesitatingly chose his son's advantage, the appointment being made in 1863. His thorough military education has always kept Colonel Robinson's interest in military organizations alive and he has always been active in the drill of local organizations. The companies whose instruction he has superintended have proved the value of his teachings by taking prizes on many occasions. He is a thoroughbred in soldiers' life can carries himself in accordance with the principles instilled by his training and experiences. Andrew N. Robinson, his brother, was quartermaster of the 7th Wisconsin; was injured during the first year of the war and was discharged for disability, he lives in Tennessee.
Colonel Robinson is passing the sunset of life, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He is at the verge of man's allotment of years and con look back over his career, devoted to his country, with the content he deserves as a true son of the Republic, a patriot in descent and fact and a citizen whom all delight to honor. The highest terms of praise could not be heard in echo of his splendid service for his flag whose stars he helped to burnish anew amidst the clouds of fratricidal war.
According to William's Pension records, his wound, received at Gainesville was disabling, at least not allowing him to pursue farming. He died , April 27th, 1903 in Seattle, WI, either visiting or living with his daughter Leonora Richardson. His wife Sarah died November 2, 1908 and had been living with Leonora. He and his wife are buried ar the Ft. Lawton, WA Cemetery. (Ft Lawton's building was overseen by William's son, William W. Robinson, Jr. and officer in the Quartermaster CorpsExcerpts from the book The Iron Brigade: Alan T. Nolan, The Macmillian Company, NY. NY 1961
Second in command was Lieutenant Colonel W. W. Robinson of Sparta, who was to assume command upon Vandor's resignation. Robinson was a Vermonter, forty-two years old, who claimed Mayflower Pilgrim descent and whose father had been a wounded veteran of the War of 1812. Robinson had attended several schools in Vermont, including the academy at Norwich, and after finishing his own education he had been a teacher in New Jersey and then in Cleveland, Ohio, before heading west for gold. Returning to Ohio in time to be commissioned a lieutenant in the Third Ohio Infantry for the Mexican War, he had ended the war as a captain and had again set out for California and the gold fields in 1852. Employed in California by a Minnesota utility corporation, Robinson returned to Minnesota, founded the town of Wilton, and was commissioned as colonel in the state militia. It was not until 1858 that he moved to Wisconsin, but he had friends there, and his Mexican War experience commended him to Wisconsin's governor.2
Additional amusement for the soldiers was provided by a controversy in the Seventh Wisconsin where Colonel Robinson had brought his family to Arlington Heights for the winter. In the Robinson household was a daughter, Leonora, who soon became the object of the attention of a lieutenant of the Seventh, twenty-five-year-old Hollon Richardson of Company A. From an objective view, Richardson seemed an eligible suitor. A native of Poland, Ohio, where he had been admitted to the bar in 1857, he was the son of a substantial construction contractor who had moved to Chippewa Falls in 1858. The youth also seemed to have good prospects of his own. In 1860, a comparative newcomer, he had been elected prosecuting attorney of Chippewa County. As the first man to enlist from that county, his zeal for the war was presumably unquestioned. But none of these things impressed Colonel Robinson, who strenuously objected to Richardson's interest in his daughter, and forbade the two to see each other. Armed with parental authority over his daughter and military jurisdiction over Richardson, the colonel may have felt more secure than most fathers in this age-old situation. But Robinson was defeated when Richardson and the girl eloped to Washington and were married. When the lieutenant returned to his regiment, the soldiers must have waited for the colonel's next move. No further record exists of the event, and there is nothing to show whether Robinson changed his mind or was simply resigned to an accomplished fact. But Lieutenant Richardson remained with the Seventh, and he an Colonel Robinson apparently worked together harmoniously, as their records were later to testify? 3
Colonel Robinson resigned to return to Wisconsin before undertaking a twelve-year term as Consul to Madagascar.
*Note: Robinson resigned on July 9, 1864, Wis. A.G.,1865, p. 1347 . Robinson returned to Wisconsin, to Sparta, where he was engaged in farming until 1873. In 1873 he moved to Chippewa Falls and was appointed to the consulship in 1875 In 1886, he returned to Chippewa Falls and went into the coal business with his son. 4from Child’s History of Waseca County
COLONEL W. W. ROBINSON.
This gentleman settled in Wilton in 1856. He was born at Fair Haven, Vermont, Dec. 14, 1819. He graduated from Rutland Academy at the age of nineteen. He also took a course at the Norwich Military Academy. He married Sarah Jane Fisk, daughter of Daniel Fisk, Feb. 5, 1843. At the breaking out of the war with Mexico, in 1846, he promptly enlisted and was elected first lieutenant, his commission bearing date June 12, 1846. Oct. 26, 1846, he was promoted to captain. At the close of the Mexican war he returned to Ohio, where he remained until 1851, when he made a trip to Wisconsin on a land speculation. In the spring of 1852 he went to California overland, being six months on the way thither. He remained in the “Golden State” until the fall of 1855, when be rejoined his family at Sparta. Wisconsin. As before stated, he came to Wilton, in this county, in the fall of 1856, where he resided with his family, he practiced law to some extent while in Wilton and was prominent in local affairs. In 1859 he disposed of his property here and returned to Sparta, Wis. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he engaged in drilling men for the service, and on the 15th of August 1861, was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the Seventh Regiment Wisconsin volunteer infantry. This regiment, with four others, constituted the famous Iron Brigade. He resigned in July. 1864, on account of illness and the and the breaking out of a wound received at Gainesville, in 1862. He participated in over thirty battles and skirmishes. After a partial recovery of his health he engaged in lumbering at Chippewa Falls, Wis. In 1875 he was appointed U. S. consul at Madagascar by President Grant and held that position until the fall of 1886, when be resigned and returned to his family. At this writing, 1905, Mrs. Robinson is living at Seattle, state of Washington, in good health at the age of eighty-six years. Colonel Robinson died April 27, 1903.
Child’s History of Waseca County reporting on the foundations of government stated that the Minnesota legislature substituted the supervisor system in place of the commissioner system for the county and the at the first meeting on September 14, 1858 one of the supervisors was W.W. Robinson. Robinson and another supervisor were appointed at that meeting to oversee the printing of a 3,500 dollar bond issue and they both were required to themselves be bonded at $5,000. At the November 1858 meeting, Robinson along with two other supervisors was selected to select a site for a jail, contract for its building and issue the bonds once the bond issuance was approved. Further on Child lists the town board and W.W. Robinson is listed as chairman. Robinson is also listed as a member of the first grand jury selected for the county in the fall of 1857.
Speech by Ambassador James McGee February 28, 2005
“My diplomatic predecessor, William Robinson, America’s first Consul in Madagascar, received many gifts of cloth during his presence here from 1871 to 1886. During his tenure as America’s chief diplomatic representative in Madagascar, commerce between our two countries flourished. The U.S. exported manufactured cloth to Madagascar while importing goods of all types. Today, it is Madagascar that is exporting manufactured cloth to America.”
From the Genealogy of Sarah Fisk Robinson
SARAH JANE, b. Sept. 18, 1819; m. Feb. 5, 1842, Col. William Wallace Robinson. He was b. Fair Haven, Vt., Dec. 14, 1819 res. Wildwood, Wis. William Wallace Robinson (husband of Sarah Jane Fisk), son of John Williams amid Rebecca (Merritt) Robinson, is a descendant in the seventh generation from John Robinson of Leyden, Holland, Fame ("the Puritan Father"). Born at Fair Haven, Vt., Dec. 14, 1819, he received his education in the common schools of Vermont and Castleton Seminary and Rutland Academy, graduating from the last named when 19 years of age. He also took a course at the Norwich Military Academy. From 1838 to 1840 he taught school in his native State and New Jersey, when he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and in company with Wm.. Murphy, a professor of languages from Philadelphia, opened and conducted for some years the "Cleveland High School and Academy." Feb 5, 1842, he married Sarah Jane, the eldest daughter of Daniel Fisk, and continued to teach until war was declared with Mexico in 1846. He promptly enlisted with Ohio volunteers and was elected First Lieutenant of his company which was assigned to the Third Regiment Ohio Volunteers, as Company G, his commission bearing date June 12, 1846. Oct. 26, 1846, he was promoted Captain of his company. He served at Fort Brown and Matamoras, Carnargo, Monterey and Buena Vista, though his command took no part in those battles being engaged on detached service. In July, 1847, the terms of enlistment of the regiment expiring, the entire command was mustered out of the service at New Orleans and he returned to Ohio and engaged in farming and teaching until the summer of 1851, when he made a trip to Wisconsin, locating lands for himself and father-in-law, Daniel Fisk, at Sparta, Monroe County. Returning to Ohio in the fall, intending to move his family to Wisconsin in the spring, he changed his plans, and went to California himself, leaving his family with Mr. Fisk who removed with them to Wisconsin in Sept., 1852.
The trip to California, overland, consumed six months to a day, he arriving at Whiskey Diggings, Sierra County, in September. He engaged in mining for a few weeks but soon with several partners took a contract to construct a flume, some eleven miles in length, for the Minnesota Water Company, which was to conduct water from a mountain stream for use at "Smiths" and the "Minnesota Diggings." After completing this job he engaged in various enterprises of a more or less remunerative character until the fall of 1855 when he rejoined his family at Sparta, Wis., and removing during the winter of 1855-56 to Waseca County, Minnesota, founded the town of Wilton which for a time became the county seat. In 1858 he ran for the State Legislature on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated, and was appointed Colonel of the Ninth Regiment Minnesota Militia, by Governor Sibley. In 1859 selling his Minnesota property he returned to Sparta, Wis., and built a home on his lands near that village. At the breaking out of the Civil War he was engaged in drilling the first company raised in the county, and Aug. 15, 1861, was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Seventh Regiment Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and with this regiment, which with four others constituted the famous Iron Brigade, lie served, taking part in every battle fought by the Army of the Potomac except the first Bull Run, Antietam (fought while he was in hospital with a severe wound received at battle of Gainesville) and Five Forks. He was promoted Colonel of the regiment in Feb., 1862, and was frequently in command of the brigade by reason of his seniority before 1863, but from the morning of the first day's fight at Gettysburg, when Brigadier-General Meredith was wounded, he commanded the Iron Brigade through the bloody campaigns of 1863-64 and until the army sat down in the trenches around Petersburg, when suffering from sickness and the breaking out of his wound received in 1862 he resigned in July, 1864. He had taken part in over thirty battles and "affairs" and though "hit" three times, received but one serious wound, that at Gainesville. His regiment, the Seventh Wisconsin, lost more men killed and wounded by four times any other taking part in the war, as is shown by the records of the War Department and recently published. At the close of the war he was tendered a Brevet Brigadier-General's commission, but declined it. After somewhat recovering from his wounds (1865) he engaged in farming and lumbering, removing to Chippewa Falls, Wis., in 1874. In 1875 he was appointed United States Consul to Madagascar by President Grant, and undisturbed by succeeding administrations held that office until the fall of 1886, when, heeding the remonstrances of his children, he resigned and came home to spend his old age surrounded by his children and grandchildren. During his service in Madagascar he made the treaty with that government which the French at this writing (1896) are attempting to set aside, and at the urgent request of the Queen of Madagascar was directed by our State Department to accompany the Malagassy Embassy on its visit to the courts of Europe and to the United States in 1882-83 during its vain search for peace. He and his wife are now living with his youngest son in Wisconsin, hale and hearty, though both are in their 77th year. He is a descendant of the Rev. John Robinson, the Leyden pastor, b. in Lincolnshire. England, 1575; emigrated to Leyden, Holland, in 1608, with his congregation, and there formed the nucleus of the Plymouth Colony of 1620. He is a direct descendant of his through his son Isaac, b. 1610; Peter, b. 1660; Peter, Jr., b. 1697; Eliab, b. 1742; John William, b. 1782; William Wallace. Ch.: I. Edward Lorenzo, b. Nov. 16, 1842; d. 1851 in Ohio. 2, Leonora Colista, b. Aug. 10, 1844 m. 1862, at Washington, D. C., to General Hollan Richardson; present add. Chippewa Falls, Wis. 3, William Wallace, Jr., b. Apr. 21, 1846; graduated West Point, N. Y., June, 1869; now Captain and Quartermaster of United States Army: add. The Presidio, San Francisco, Cal.; m. Aug., 1869, Ella L. Winsor; m. 2d, Mar. 31, 1887, Minnie Ten Eyck; ch.: Ella Nora, b. Nov. 28, 1873; add. Sparta, Wis. Edward Winsor, b. Feb. t8, 1875; add. West Point, N. Y. May Josephine, b. May or June, 1880; add. Sparta, Wis. 4, Herbert Fisk, b. Aug. 2, t858; m. at Chippewa Falls, Wis., Dec. 31, 1879; add. Wildwood, Wis. 5, Inez Euseba, b. Aug.. 27. 1860 d. Aug. 5. 1864.
Fiske and Fisk family : being the record of the descendants of Symond Fiske, Lord of the manor of Stadhaugh, Suffolk County, England
1. This Biography was copied from Soldiers and Citizen's Album of Biographical Record, Chicago, 1988) pp 553-6. Additional information and comments have been added and are in Italics2. from notes: Wis A.G.1865, p1347; Soldiers and Citizen Album of Biographical Record pp.553-6 The Iron Brigade: Alan T. Nolan, The Macmillian Company, NY. NY 1961, p 27
3. note: the elopement took place on May 9, 1862. Soldiers and Citizens Album of Biographical Record, Vol. II, pp 578-82; Wisconsin Necrology, Vol. XVI, pp13-14
The Iron Brigade: Alan T. Nolan, The Macmillian Company, NY. NY 1961, pp 36-74. Soldiers and Citizens Album of Biographical Record, pp.553-6 The Iron Brigade: Alan T. Nolan, The Macmillian Company, NY. NY 1961, p 276
5. Taken from Child’s History of Waseca County, Minnesota: from its first settlement in 1854 to the close of the year 1904
