David I. Robinson

David Ingersoll Robinson (October 6, 1844 – November 13, 1921) was an American politician who served as Mayor of Gloucester, Massachusetts, and Treasurer of Essex County, Massachusetts, was a member of the Gloucester Common Council and the Massachusetts Governor's Council.

Early life Robinson was born on October 6, 1844, in Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts, to John Robinson, a shoemaker and singing teacher, and his wife Sarah Lufkin (Ingersoll) Robinson. In 1851 the family moved to Alton, Illinois. After he graduated from Alton High School, Robinson taught in the Alton public school system. He enlisted in the Union Army on May 12, 1864 for a term of 100 days and was assigned to the 133rd Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment as a private. He reenlisted on September 24, 1864, and was appointed as first lieutenant. However, a severe illness prevented him from being mustered back into the service. After he recovered, Robinson spent the remainder of the war as a clerk in the Provost Marshal's office in Alton. In 1876 Stockbridge & Co. consolidated with the Gloucester Fresh Fish Company and Stenson & Company to form the Atlantic Halibut Company. Robinson was Atlantic Halibut's treasurer and secretary. In 1895, Atlantic Halibut consolidated with some smaller firms to form the American Halibut Company. Robinson was the new company's treasurer. He was also a member of the Sons of Temperance, Grand Army of the Republic, and the Freemasons.

During his tenure as Mayor, Gloucester erected a number of new buildings, including a new high school, armory, police station and courthouse, and paved a large amount of its streets.

Essex County Treasurer In 1903, Robinson was elected Essex County Treasurer. During his final year in office, Robinson had come under fire for depositing $233,679 of county funds with the Tremont Trust Company of Boston, not only because Tremont had been closed by Massachusetts Bank Commissioner Joseph Allen, but because Robinson had promised to deposit all of Essex County's money in banks located in the county.