Читать книгу History of Fresno County, Vol. 5 - Paul E. Vandor - Страница 45

A prominent member of the medical fraternity of Selma is J. H. Robinson, M. D., who was born on October 1, 1874, at Gabon, Crawford County, Ohio, midway between Cleveland and Columbus. His father is J. C. Robinson, a retired, well-to-do Ohio farmer, while his mother was Emma Shumaker before her marriage. This worthy couple have had four children, the three youngest being as follows: G. B. Robinson, a grocer at Gabon; Richard, a civil engineer at Minneapolis and manager of a large bridge-building concern; and Carl, who is the proprietor of a moving-picture theater at Gabon.

The oldest child in the family, J. H. Robinson grew up in Crawford County, attended the country public schools and worked hard on the farm. He took a preparatory course at the Tri-State Normal at Angola, Ind., and then, for two years, engaged in teaching at West Point, Morrow County, Ohio. There he laid the foundation of that knowledge of human nature which has been of such value to him as a practicing physician. After finishing the preparatory course, Mr. Robinson matriculated at Hiram College, in Hiram, Portage County, Ohio, the same institution made famous by the good work done there as a student by Garfield; and he vigorously pursued a special scientific course leading up to the study of medicine. In the meantime, while in the Normal and while teaching, and also while a student at Hiram and later a student in the medical college. Mr. Robinson went each summer for seven years to Chautauqua. N. Y., and took the Chautauqua courses: and this experience contribute greatly toward his broad and liberal education.

Having entered the medical department of the Ohio State University at Columbus. Mr. Robinson, with characteristic thoroughness, took the regular four years' course, and in 1902 was graduated as assistant to the demonstrator in surgery. During the vacations of the junior and senior years. Mr. Robinson did work as an interne at the Cleveland City Hospital, and he was therefore unusually well-equipped when he at last received his coveted diploma.

Dr. Robinson began practicing at Levering. Knox County. Ohio, but selling out, he came west on an extended trip to Los Angeles and Southern California, also visiting Fresno and Selma in the early part of 1909. Later in the season, accompanied by Mrs. Robinson, he visited the northwest and enjoyed the Alaska, Yukon and Pacific Exposition at Seattle, having the good fortune to be present on the opening day there — June first. He was greatly taken with the Pacific Coast, looking over carefully both Washington and Oregon; and he was especially charmed with California, which he revisited.

Most of all, he was fascinated with Selma; and at Selma he determined to pitch his tent.

This decision was reached despite the fact that Dr. Robinson had no relatives or friends here such as are often of great service to a stranger. Excepting for an uncle, in fact, he was the first member of this branch of the Robinson family to locate in California. The uncle was Samuel Robinson, a 49er and for years city ticket agent for the Southern Pacific Railway at Sacramento, who grew up with the state and was widely known, but passed away in 1906. The Robinsons were originally Irish, as has been shown in a most interesting genealogy of the family prepared by the subject's grandfather.

On reaching Selma again, Dr. Robinson opened a suite of well-appointed offices on the second floor of the Dusaw Building at 2031 Second Street, and there he has conducted a general medical practice ever since. As a family physician in particular he has been unusually successful. This extensive practice demands his maintaining both a Ford and a Mitchell car. During his senior year at college, young Robinson was assistant to Dr. Hoover, head surgeon at the medical school, and the experience he thus obtained has finally culminated in his being regarded as not only one of the most active, but one of the ablest members of the County Medical Association.

About three months after his graduation. Dr. Robinson was married to Miss Mary Robertson, a lad) r of Scotch ancestry and the daughter of J. M. and Annie (Hunter) Robertson. His wife was born at Gait, Canada; and in the Canadian land she grew up and enjoyed the best of educational advantages. One child — Marguerite — blessed this union. In 1913 Dr. Robinson built his bungalow home at No. 2525 McCall Street, Selma, and there he and his family form the center of a large circle of friends.