JOHN COOLEY ROBINSON                               Born: June 20, 1865, Longmeadow, MA

Died: September 7, 1944…79 years old…in Longmeadow, MA

Twice married: Cora Eugenia Mack, daughter of the Sandusky Register’s editor (Sandusky, OH) 9/14/87. Helen Walker Harding of Longmeadow, MA on 7/28/30 until her death in 1936.

Children:  Mrs. (Mary Foote) Douglas V. Wallace
                   Richard Mack Robinson,

Grandchildren:  John Wallace
                             Mack Wallace
                             John Robinson
                             Mary Jean Robinson
                             Ruth Robinson

Education: Graduated from Williams College in 1886 and remained prominent in its alumni activities.

Employment: 1890, became treasurer of Sandusky Portland Cement Co. in Sandusky, Ohio
1990, as treasurer and general manager worked at St. Louis Portland Cement Co.
1905, as a general agent worked for New England Mutual Ins. Co. in Springfield, MA
1908, became 1st president of Baystate Storage & Warehouse Co. on Liberty St. in Springfield, MA.  It was here that Mr. Robinson erected a thoroughly modern warehouse regarded as one of the largest and best-equipped plant of its kind in the country.

Interests:  “1912, Mr. Robinson retired from the active direction of the storage & warehouse
organization for purpose of devoting virtually his entire time to a project which for years had     interested him—the reclamation and development of the Agawam Meadows in West Springfield. This was done through the incorporation of the Connecticut Valley Realty Company, with Mr. Robinson as its treasurer and probably its most tireless worker.”  Per Springfield Union Sept. 8, 1944

Eastern States Exposition…one of its principal boosters and he lent it his material support. He also served as a trustee.

Westfield River Parkway Project

1934, Mr. Robinson gifted a nearly 700 acre tract extending from N. Agawam to the foot of Provin Mountain.  This tract, along with additional land purchased by the State aided by a trust account established by Robinson, was then called the John C. Robinson State Park.

Springfield Cemetery…Historical address given by John C. Robinson, the President of the Cemetery’s
Board of Trustees at the Cemetery’s Centennial on September 5, 1941.

Mr. Robinson had also served as member of the board of directors of the Third National Bank & Trust Company, The Springfield Boy’s Club, Hampden County Council of Boy Scouts, Springfield Library Association, Eastern States Exposition, and as a former Chamber of Commerce director.

Vice –president of the Springfield Mortgage Company and one of the founders of the Western Massachusetts Engineering Society.
                                                                                                                                                                       
Mr. Robinson, a leader and active in civic affairs was known to be very generous and helpful to others during his distinguished career in business and philanthropy.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (7/30/06 lrg)