William W. Robinson was born in 1819 in Vermont. His father was a veteran of the war of 1812, serving as an officer in a New York militia regiment.  The Robinsons are descended from Pastor John Robinson, the man who sent the Mayflower and Edward Fuller, a Mayflower passenger and signer of the Mayflower Compact.

Robinson completed his education and teaching certification at Rutland Academy in Vermont and took military training at Capt. Alden Partridge's American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy, Norwich, Vermont.  He taught in Vermont and New Jersey before opening his own Academy in Cleveland, OH.  When President Polk call for volunteers for war with Mexico, Robinson joined Captain Chauncey Woodruff’s Company of the 3rd Ohio Volunteers. He was appointed the 1st Lieutenant of the company and became its captain when Woodruff resigned.

After the war he sold mining equipment in California, settled in Waseca County Minnesota where he helped found the town of Wilton and practiced law.  Coming to Wisconsin in 1859 he volunteered his services at the outbreak of the Civil War.  He was appointed Lt. Colonel of the 7th regiment and became its colonel about four month later upon the resignation of the appointed Colonel.  The 7th Wis. was part of the famous “Iron Brigade” which was the only all western unit in the Army of the Potomac

Robinson participated in 34 of the 43 battles his regiment fought.  He was wounded at the Battle of Gainesville and took command of the “Iron Brigade” at Gettysburg after its general was injured.  He resigned his commission in 1864 and returned to Sparta, WI until 1875 when he was appointed Consul General to Madagascar by President Grant.  He spent 12 years in that service, retuned to Chippewa Falls WI where he was in business with his son and active in state level G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) affairs..  He moved to Seattle WA where he lived with another son .  He died in 1903 and is buried in the Ft Lawton cemetery

For a more complete story of William, Click here

Presentations

Presentation of William

• As a narrator in costume, but portraying the  period. (more suitable for younger children)
• As William Robinson in period (1887)

Robinson’s character may be made in several ways.
Further the content may be chosen to the groups interests or understanding level

• William Robinson’s life, history and the search process which uncovered it
• William Robinson on the Civil War, An Illustrated Lecture (organization must provide a computer with Power Point and projector)
• William Robinson on the battles of the Civil War
• William Robinson on causes and effect of Civil War including the influence of the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic—a veterans’ group)
• William Robinson on the role of Wisconsin in the Civil War

There will, of course be overlap in order to present a logical and believable story.
Presentations or scripted to last about 1/2 hour.  A time for questions is always provided