Biography

05/23/1846 - 01/28/1933

John Buchanan Robinson (R9) Delaware County 1889-1891 

Early Life: 

John Buchanan Robinson, born May 23, 1846, Allegheny City, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; son of William O’Hara Robinson and Jane Robinson; studied with a private tutor, University of Pittsburgh, Amherst College, Massachusetts; enlisted, Union Army, 1864, resigned; appointment, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, graduated, 1868, served, Navy, resigned, 1875; studied law; admitted Philadelphia, 1876, Delaware County bars, 1878, commenced practice, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; moved, Media, Pennsylvania, 1878, practiced law; engaged newspapers, editor, Delaware County Gazette, 1881-1882; newspaper correspondent; owner, Media Ledger; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1885-1887; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1889-1891; elected, Republican, Fifty-second, Fifty-third, and Fifty-fourth Congresses 1891-1897; delegate, Republican National Conventions, 1892, 1896, 1908; United States marshal for the eastern district of Pennsylvania 1900-1914; married, Elizabeth Waddingham Gilpin, children Elizabeth Waddington Robinson Wyckoff, Helen Gilpen Anderson Stassinos, Helen Gipin Robinson Stassinos, Adele Gilpin Robinson Hull; died January 28, 1933 (age 86) Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, interment Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. 

Early Career:

Engaged newspapers, editor, Delaware County Gazette, 1881-1882; newspaper correspondent; owner, Media Ledger

Professional titles; business ownership; board memberships; local government; club memberships:

President, League of Republican Clubs of Pennsylvania 1891-1897; member, Board of Visitors, United States Naval Academy, 1893, member, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, American Protestant Association, Knights of Pythias, Order of Chosen Friends, Knights of the Golden Eagle, Improved Order of Red Men, Independent Order of Mechanics and Bradbury Post No. 149 Grand Army of the Republic. 

Authored: 

Robinson, John B., Midshipman to Congress. Media, PA, 1916.

Pennsylvania Politics:

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, 1885-1887. 

Delegate, Republican National Conventions, 1892, 1896.

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 9th district, Delaware County, 1889-1891; committee assignments, Public Building. Thomas Cooper resigned. John B. Robinson, elected, November 5, 1889 to fill unexpired term, resigned, November 18, 1891.

Delegate, Republican National Conventions, 1908. 

Continued Government Service/National Politics:

Elected, Republican, Fifty-second, Fifty-third, and Fifty-fourth Congresses 1891-1897; unsuccessful candidate for reelection, 1896. 

Appointed, Presidents, William McKinley, 1900; reappointed, President Theodore Roosevelt, 1905 and President William Taft, 1912; United States marshal for the eastern district of Pennsylvania 1900-1914.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Biography:

Official Website - PA House Archives Official Website (state.pa.us) 

Legacy: 

Grandfather, Honorable William J Robinson, member House of Representatives 1833-1834, first Mayor, City of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, 1840. Wife, Elizabeth, granddaughter of Charles Gilpin, Mayor of Philadelphia, 1850-1854.

Circumnavigated globe on flagship Colorado, member of second United States party to become audience before Emperor Mikado of Japan, 1873; rescued American prisoners in Cuba Commanding Sloop Juniata. 

Cited: 

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members "R"". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University. 

Smull’s Legislative Handbook, (1890). Cochran, T.B., (Editor) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pages 696, 702-704, Biographical Sketches of Senators, page 667. 

John Buchanan Robinson (1846-1933) - Find a Grave Memorial