San Francisco County
Biographies
COLONEL THOMAS P. ROBINSON
COLONEL T. P. ROBINSON.–Among the young business men of San
Francisco, he whose name heads this sketch holds a
prominent rank, due to energetic methods. He stands to-day as one of the
best known citizens of the Western metropolis, though
it is but fair to state that his popularity is due more to his active promotion
of out-door sports than his commercial affiliations. Some of the brightest
men in financial and professional circles of which this country can boast have
belonged, and now belong to that far-seeing class who recognize the fact that
the greatness of a nation is as much dependent on the physical condition of its
citizens as upon its pre-eminence in the learned profession and commercial
sagacity. This is true as well in other countries as in this, notably in Great
Britain, and the foremost educational
institutions of the world are among the best exponents of this
idea. Effort in this regard is certainly evidence of a health spirit in
any community, and as Colonel Robinson is recognized as among the foremost of
those who have contributed to the healthful sports in California, and at the
same time to the entertainment and recreation of a large proportion of its
citizens, a brief sketch of his career, embodying some
of its salient features, becomes for that reason an interest, and, indeed,
essential portion of a work of this nature.
Thomas
P. Robinson is a native product of California soil,
having been born in San Francisco
in 1861. His father, Captain Peter Robinson, came to San
Francisco in 1851 as commander of the ship Golden
Eagle, and soon became identified with the commerce of the city. As a
representative of the stevedoring and ballast interests he has been for over a
third of a century one of the best known men in maritime circles, and though
for the past few years a sufferer from ill-health, he still retains the
ownership of a number of coasting vessels and other craft.
Colonel
Robinson, subject to this mention, was reared in San
Francisco, and spent his boyhood days principally in attendance
upon her schools. His first business experience was in the capacity of
clerk and salesman in the employ of the California Wire Works, and this was
followed until the commencement of his attendance at college. Upon the
completion of his educational course he became associated with his father in
the latter’s business enterprises, and so continued until 1885, when he became
connected with the Pacific Coast Dredging Company.
In
1891 he engaged in the warehouse business in partnership with E. W. Halford, who has been for many years intimately identified
with the commercial interests of San Francisco. The
firm of Halford & Robinson own and operate the
Pioneer and Golden Gate warehouses of this city, and
occupy a high place in business circles.
His
association with his father in marine matters no doubt caused him to turn his
attention to yachting, with which he was for a number of years actively
identified, and in this connection it may be mentioned that he was the prime
mover in the organization of the Undine Yachting Club, whose members were
chosen from the best young men of San Francisco. But it is in connection
with base ball, the undisputed national game of America,
that Colonel Robinson’s name has become a household word with the reading and
sport-loving people of the Pacific coast, and particularly the region about San
Francisco bay. He is an essential part of the
history of the California League, whose interests he has done so much to
promote. He took a leading part in the location and building of the Haight street park, and ever since its construction has held a one-third
interest as lessee. He also built and equipped, in 1890, the Emeryville
grounds for his Oakland
club. He held the position of treasurer of the League until 1891, when he
resigned on account of the pressure of business matters. The most exciting
episode in the League’s career was the finish of the race for the championship
in 1889, which was won by his club, representing Oakland. All
classes in the cities by the by became wrought up in this contest, and when the
deciding game was played in San Francisco, 17,900 people –a truly
representative gathering–crowded the Haight street
grounds to their utmost capacity, while admission was denied to many by the
closing of the gates during the second inning of the play. When the game
was decided in his favor the news spread in Oakland, where it was received with
enthusiastic rejoicing, being regarded as a veritable victory for that city,
and the members of the club received many public and private testimonials of
appreciation from Oakland’s happy citizens. That the general interest
displayed in the race during that year was principally due to Colonel
Robinson’s influence, popularity and capable business methods there can be no
doubt, and well posted authorities credit him in a large measure with the
general success of the League. With the Oakland club a factor in the
pennant race, there has never been a lack of enthusiasm among the people, and
it can not be gainsaid that the season of 1891, successful though it was, would
have commanded a much more general interest had not so many circumstances
combined to prevent the strengthening of his team, for which he so arduously
labored. While he has always been successful in his purely business enterprises,
it is an acknowledged fact that the attention he has given to the popularizing
of base ball would have made an unqualified success of any commercial
undertaking he might have headed, and it is no undue praise to his merits to
say that in the national game his rank is with the foremost magnates of that
representative body, the National League.
An
interesting event in the annals of the game on this coast was the visit hereof
Mr. Spalding and his celebrated aggregation, comprising the all-America and
Chicago ball clubs on the eve of their departure for Australia on the tour
around the world, in 1889. On this occasion a grand banquet, which will long be
remembered on account of its perfect success, was tendered by Mr. Spalding, to
the California League, and Colonel Robinson, as chairman of the entertainment
committee, performed his manifold duties in connection therewith with the vigor
which is his principal characteristic. Before leaving this subject it is
but fitting to state that he has done much in the cause of charity, and appeals
from deserving sources have not suffered by reason of his connection with
base-ball.
Colonel
Robinson has taken a leading part in National Guard affairs, and was for years
an active member and officer of the First Regiment. He is prominently
identified with the order of Native Sons of the Golden West, being now
President of Piedmont Parlor, and at the great celebration in 1890, of the
fortieth anniversary of Admission Day, he was the leading spirit in the
decoration of their parlor, which fed 5,800 people. He is also one of the
foremost members of Oakland Lodge, No. 171, Benevolent Protective Order of Elks
(composed in this case altogether of business men), and is a director of the
Householders’ Building and Loan Association, San Francisco.
Colonel
Robinson was married on November 29, 1882, to Miss Nellie E. Halford, daughter of E. W. Halford,
a resident of California since
1850. Her death, which occurred August 9, 1891, was a sad blow to husband
and friends.
In
closing this brief sketch of Colonel Robinson it is proper to state that much
as his name has come before the public it has always been in honorable and
creditable mention. The dark side is happily wanting in this case, while
his career shows him a man of vigor and spirit, his connection with sport has
been always for its elevation, and there is much more than may appear at first
glance in the statement that the amusements he has helped to provide for so
many people are one of the principal moral agents of a community. Healthful
sports are a great safety valve, and in this vicinity they owe much to Colonel
Robinson.
Transcribed
3-18-06 Marilyn R. Pankey.
Source: "The Bay of San Francisco," Vol. 2, Pages 397-400, Lewis Publishing Co, 1892.
©
2006 Marilyn R. Pankey.
California Biography Project
San Francisco County
California Statewide
Golden Nugget Library