Dr. Winfield R. Robison, the son of William H. and Elizabeth H. Robison,
was born Sep. 4, 1842 in Washington County, GA. His brothers were Samuel,
who died in the civil war in 1862; Alexander, a school teacher; William.
F. Robison, a president of Young Harris College; Milton Robison who
died in the civil war in 1864; Winfred; Elwood F.; and a sister Mary.
His uncle Samuel Robison was brigidier-general
in the Indian War and was a member of the Georgia General Assembly for
22 successive years.
Dr.
Robison enlisted in the civil war in Hancock County on July 15, 1861 as
a private and mustered into Company K, Ga. 15th Infantry. He was promoted
to 1st Lieut. 11/17/1864 and captain of companies G & K . Surrendered
at Appomattox Court House, Va. April 9 1865. He walked home to Washington
County, made a crop and farmed the following 3 years.
He married in October 1867 in Wilkinson
County to Sarah "Sallie" A. Shinholser daughter of James G. and Mary
Shinholser, a prominent farmer born in South Carolina living near
Gordon, Ga. In 1868 he began to study medicine with his brother in law
Dr. James G. Shinholser. Also that year his first son James G. Robison
was born. James G. died in 1871. Dr. Robison attended Georgia Medical
College in Augusta and graduated in 1873. He moved to Toomsboro, Wilkinson
County and practiced medicine and was a druggist there until 1881. His
daughter Maggie T. Robison was born about 1876 in Toomsboro.
In 1882 he
moved to Milledgeville to practice medicine with his brother in law Dr.
James G. Shinholster. Dr. Shinholster died about a year later leaving 3
orphans- John W., Annie and James G., his wife dying before 1880. Dr. Robison
moved to his farm in Washington County with the children and provided a
home for them for five years. In 1886 he returned to Milledgeville
and revived his medical practice. Dr. Robison was a prominent member of
the Methodist church. Daughter Mary Eva Robison was born June 25, 1886
and died May 22 1890. Four other children died young. Dr. Robison
lived on N. Jefferson St. until his death March 18, 1904. His wife Sarah
Shinholser Robison died Feb. 11, 1920. Dr. Robison, his wife and daughter
Mary Eva are buried at Memory Hill Cemetery in Milledgeville, GA.
Sources: Memoirs of Georgia,
1870 Federal Census, 1880 Federal Census, 1900 Federal Census, civilwardata.com
Eileen Babb McAdams copyright 2004