The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-05-06

l. L. Robinson while In New York.
He fastened home, but did not arrive in
time to escape the full effects Of the malady.
Since that time he suffered more or less till
the hour of his death. though there were
intervals when he appeared TO be recover
ing.
February last Lester Ludyah Robinson
was 6S years old. His has been an active,
busy life, full of energetic toll, and crowned
in many instances with splendid success.
He was born at Oxford, Chenango County,
n. Y. There. too. he received good
commons school education. and when he
graduated from the Newburg Academy of
New York he accepted position on the
Eastern and Delaware Division OF the New
York and Erie Railroad.
In 1874 young Robinson, who showed I'M
usual aptne5s in railroad engineering, was
engaged upon the preliminary surveys and
work of construction OF the Atlantic and
st. Lawrence Railroad, from Portland. Me-.
to Montreal. While engaged Ia this work
he was the superintendent OF tile construc-
ton department., and had charge of the
building OF all the rOlinR-stOck OF the road,
which was built in Canada. One of the no
table works done under his supervision at
this early period was the large drawbridge
over the Richelieu River. He remained in
Canada five years, finding ample employ
mentin railroad surveying and other work.
In 1S49 he accepted the position OF chief
engineer of the Marysvilie aud Lexington
Railroad. He removed his residence to
Kentucky at this time, and while resident
OF this State he made the preliminary sur
veys of the Louisville and Nashville Rail-
road, and also those of the road from Bow
ling Green, KY, to Memphis, Tenn. For
the five years prior to 1854 he was chief en-
gineer for the Louisville and Nashville
Railroad. In that year Ill health drove him
from active work for time and necessi-
tated his resignation.
Then 1t was that he came to California as
member of the firm of Seymour, Morton
u Co., the largest railroad contracting firm
at th Mt time in the United States. His first
work in this State was the construction of
the Sacramento Valley Railroad. from
Sacramento to Folsom. which was the first
railroad completed on this coast. 1t was
opened for traffic February %. 1856.
Mr.. Robinson was also connected with the
Freeport and Sacramento, Placer and
Nevada Railroad.
In February. 1855, In connection with II.
NJ. Newhall and Peter DOnahue, he bought
the Market-Street Railway, aud several
years later changed the line from a steam to
a horse road. At the same time his cOm-
PAW graded Valencia street to the terminus
of the line at Twenty-siXth street, and made
many other valuable and lasting improve
ments.
When P. Bayerque of the large banking
Robinson became the manager of the vast
affairs of that house until the death Of Mr..
Phoebe.
At the time OF his death he was at the
head of great many mining companies Of
all kinds in California, Nevada. Utah and
Oregon. Mr.. Robinson was also president
of the Miners Association. He was one Of
the promoters of the Riverside Land and
Irrigating Company, and the prime mover
and leading spirit in the development CT
the famous Temescal tin mines.
he was president Of the North Bloomfield
Gravel Mining Company and of several
other hydraulic mines which were closed by
order Of Judge Sawyer. Mr.. Robinson was
always prominent In the promotion of immi-
grafton to this State. He was identified
have furnished lands and homes In Cali
fornia to many hundred people.
OF late years Mr.. Robinson took an active
interest in Insurance matters ON the coast.
He was large real estate owner in this
State. His Los Medanos ranch In Contra
Costa County, on the line of the Southern
Pacific, contains $500 acres. 1t was at this
place that Mr.. Robinson had lived for
number Of years past.
He left real estate and mining property
valued at considerably above 100000 A
Mrs. Cutter OF this city, sister of deceased,
and three brothers. one in London, one In
Nebraska and one in Arkansas survive
him. A nephew, Lanford Robinson, has
resided at the ranch. Mr.. Robinson him.
self was a bachelor. For many years he
had resided in this city, his home being at
800 Van Ness avenue. The funeral will be
held tomorrow at Los Medanos. The In
terment Will be at Oakland cemetery.