John Anderson Robinson, Sr.

Title

John Anderson Robinson, Sr.

birthday

July 26, 1869

Birthplace

Cashville, Spartanburg County

Death Date

February 19, 1964

Occupation

Businessman

Biographical Text

John Robinson, age 18, arrived in Greer in October, 1888. He came from a farm in the Cashville community of Spartanburg County to become the third depot and telegraph agent in Greer’s history (following W.C. Bailey and W.A. Pollard).

Robinson, along with W.W. Burgess and H.V. Westmoreland, initiated a movement to building a cotton mill; this effort would eventually result in the construction of Victor Mill. He was a founding partner of the Brooks Manufacturing Company in 1898, a founding partner of the Franklin Mill in 1900, and then founded the Greer Manufacturing Company in 1909. At that time he was a supervisor at Apalache Mill. He associated with Lewis Parker, when Parker was president of Victor Mill. Greer Bonded Warehouse Company was chartered in 1920, and Robinson was elected president.

Robinson was chairman of the Greer District for a Liberty Loan Drive during World War 1. During World War 2, he was the senior gas officer in Greer; his duties included detecting gas warfare attacks, protecting the citizens, and organizing evacuation.

He was closely involved in business and civic activity in Greer throughout his life, including election to the board of health and board of commissions for Greer CPW. He died in Greer and was buried in Edgewood Cemetery.

Bibliography

Belcher, R., & Hiatt, J. P. (2003). Greer: From Cotton Town to Industrial Center. Arcadia.