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William Robbie

1849 – 1929

American politician in California

Politician Stonemasonry
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About William Robbie

Lived 1849 – 1929 (aged 79). William Robbie was an American politician and stonemasonry.

William Robbie (December 17, 1849 – November 11, 1929) was the sixteenth President of the Chico Board of Trustees, the governing body of Chico, California from 1907 to 1919.

He was born in Old Deer, Aberdeenshire, Scotland on December 17, 1849, the son of James Robbie and Elspet Webster.

William had an illegitimate daughter by Isabella Reid in 1870 named Margaret.

William and his brother John emigrated to America in 1875, and he became a naturalized citizen.

In 1879, he partnered with his brother and John Bruce to form Robbie and Bruce, a supplier of cut stones located at First and Broadway in Chico. It would later be renamed the Chico Granite and Marble Works, and later Chico Marble Works.

As mayor, he oversaw the building of the old City Hall which was dedicated in 1911. He also accepted the deed to Children's Playground from Annie Bidwell in 1911. He oversaw the building of roads through lower Bidwell Park so that the, "people of Chico could see their new park."

In 1910, he was a founding member of the Butte Humane Society board of directors.

In 1918, the Spanish Flu claimed the life of his son George, while the rest of the family recovered.

Associations Eminent Commander, Knights Templar

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Important facts

People in William Robbie's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Robbie's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Robbie?

American politician in California (1849-1929)

When was William Robbie born?

William Robbie was born on 17 December 1849 in Old Deer.

When did William Robbie die?

William Robbie died on 11 November 1929 in Butte County.

What was William Robbie's occupation?

William Robbie was a politician and stonemasonry.

What nationality was William Robbie?

William Robbie was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Robbie

· Wikidata: Q16856761

· DBpedia: William Robbie

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Robbie. https://biography.guide/william-robbie/

MLA: "William Robbie." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-robbie/.

Chicago: "William Robbie." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-robbie/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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