George Robinson
George Robinson (deceased), late civil engineer, banker and capitalist, was born November 21, 1801, in Washington County, Penn., of Scotch-Irish descent. When eighteen years of age he lost his father, so he commenced obtaining an education, at the same time supporting himself by his own work. He learned the carpenter's trade, but met with an accident which confined him to his bed two years with a broken leg. During this time he perfected himself in the study of mathematics. He then devoted several years to teaching school and preparing for his chosen profession, that of civil engineer. In 1830 he became Assistant Engineer on the Ohio Canal, and at its completion, in 1835, he engaged on the Pennsylvania & Ohio Canal, locating permanently at Ravenna, being soon made Chief Engineer. He retained that position until his retirement from the canal in 1845. He was Chief Engineer of the Cleveland & Pittsburgh Railroad, and its first Superintendent. In 1856 he engaged on the Cleveland & Mahoning Railroad, remaining its Chief Engineer and Superintendent until 1865. In 1854 he became the head of the banking house of Robinson, King & Co., and in 1864 the first President of the Second National Bank of Ravenna, from which position he retired in 1878, remaining a Director until his death. He also established, in 1868, in company with D. C. Coolman, the Diamond Glass Works, in which he remained until his retirement from business in 1879. His death occurred July 12, 1882. He was a man of firmness, integrity and perseverance, and made a success of everything he undertook. Mr. Robinson married, July 26, 1831, Miss Maria Louisa Johnson, at Lancaster, Ohio. She was born in Mifflin, Penn., in 1810, and came to Ohio at ten years of age with her parents. To this union were born the following children: Capt. A. K. Robinson, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Wildes, Miss Frances H. Robinson, Lieut. W. Henry Robinson (deceased), Mrs. Emily H. Riddle, Capt. George F. Robinson and Mrs. M. Adelaide Hermann. The sons were all in the Union Army during the war of the Rebellion, and Henry was the first soldier from Ravenna to lose his life in his country's cause.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885