James E. Robinson

James Edgar Robinson was born on August 15, 1868, near Marysville, Ohio. He was the son of John W. Robinson (1831–1920) and Sarah Coe (1831–1901). John W. Robinson was the younger brother of James Wallace Robinson. Robinson attended local high school before enrolling at Ohio Wesleyan University from 1886 to 1889. He studied law under the mentorship of his uncle and later attended Ohio State University College of Law from 1892 to 1893, where he was part of the first law class.

In 1893, Robinson began practicing law in Richwood, Ohio. He was elected prosecuting attorney of Union County around the turn of the 20th century and served in this position for six years. Robinson continued his legal practice until 1915, when he was appointed as an appellate judge in the Ohio Court of Appeals by Governor Willis. He ran for re-election in 1916 but was defeated during a Democratic landslide.

Robinson was elected to the Ohio Supreme Court in 1919. He was subsequently re-elected in 1925 and 1930. His service on the court lasted until his death in 1932, two years into his third term.

James Edgar Robinson died on January 27, 1932, after a brief illness. His funeral was held at his residence, with Robert R. Reed officiating from the Indianola Presbyterian Church. He was interred at the family cemetery in Marysville.

Robinson married Lula Dell Flickinger on May 31, 1893. The couple had four children. He is known as the maternal grandfather of Barbara Bush, First Lady of the United States, and as the maternal great-grandfather of President George W. Bush. Additionally, Robinson is a sixth cousin once removed of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

References:

- External links include James E. Robinson’s profile at Find a Grave.