Alameda County Biographies

JESSE ROBINSON, M.D.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


 
Was born in Hartwick, Otsego County, New York, August 28, 1825, where he 
received his early scholastic training and resided until he attained the age of 
eighteen years, when he went to Woodstock, Vermont, entered the medical school 
there, and after a course extending over three years graduated therefrom in 
1846.  In the fall of that year he proceeded to Lee County,  Iowa, there 
commenced the practice of his profession, and resided until April, 1849, when 
being led captive by the seductive cry of gold, which rang from the Pacific to 
the Atlantic shores, he joined a train with ox-teams, accomplished the weary and 
dreary journey, and finally arrived in California, at Lawson�s Ranch, in 
September, 1849.  After trying his luck in the mines, and traveling about the 
State for some time, we find him in December, 1850, present at the organization 
of Shasta County, and at the election held there for public officers, was chosen 
the first County Clerk.  In the following summer he purchased a farm in Scott 
Valley, Siskiyou County, and commenced stock-raising.  In the spring of 1853 he 
removed to Southern Oregon, engaged in a packing, saw, and grist mill business, 
and there continued until the fall of 1861.  In this year he became 
Quartermaster of the First Regiment of Oregon Cavalry, United States Volunteers, 
and accompanied his regiment in the summers of 1862 and 1863, in its expeditions 
through the upper Snake River country and as far east as old Fort Hall; and was 
stationed at Fort Dalles, Oregon, in the winters of 1862 and 1863, and at Fort 
Vancouver, Washington Territory, the winter following, the balance of his four 
years� term of service being passed at Fort Boise, Idaho Territory.  Having been 
mustered out of service on September 30, 1865, at which time he was Chief 
Quartermaster of the district of Boise, he then embarked in farming operations 
in Jackson County, Oregon, until November, 1868, when he came back to 
California, located in Oakland, where he engaged in various occupations until 
November 1880, at which time he received the position of Assessor of Oakland 
Township; was re-elected in November, 1882, and is the present incumbent.  
Married, April 27, 1854, Miss Lavina J. Constant, a native of Sangamon County, 
Illinois, and has four children, viz.:  Edward C., Chester L., Thomas M., and 
Maury.
 
History of Alameda County, California�, Oakland, M.W. Wood Publ., 1883, p. 967