John J. Robison (1824–1897) was a 19th-century Michigan politician who was the mayor of Ann Arbor from 1886 to 1887. He also served as a state senator and county clerk.[1]
Biography
Robison was born on August 13, 1824 in Phelps, New York[2][3] to mother Gertrude Hoag and father Andrew Robison, both devoted Presbyterians.[4] Andrew was originally a currier and tanner, but later became involved in general farming.[2][4]
In 1843, Robison moved with his family to Sharon, Michigan.[4][3] He was a schoolteacher in Sharon and Manchester for 18 terms,[3][4] after which he devoted more attention to farming.[4] On May 2, 1847,[4] Robison married Altha E. Gillett and they subsequently had five children together.[4][3]
Robison moved to Ann Arbor upon being elected County Clerk in 1882, with his term commencing on January 1, 1883;[4] he was re-elected to the post in 1884.[4] In 1886, he was elected mayor of Ann Arbor and served for one term.[4]
In 1887, Robison bought the Main Street Jail in Ann Arbor and turned it into his family home.[1] Robison died on Tuesday, October 26, 1897 at 6 a.m.[5]