Lester Ludyah Robinson (1824 - 1892)

Born 4 Feb 1824 in Oxford, Chenango, New York, United States

Ancestors

Died 5 May 1892 at age 68 in San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States

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Biography

Lester Ludyah Robinson was a trailblazing figure in the realms of railroad building, mining, and finance during the late 19th century. Born on February 4, 1824, in Oxford, Chenango County, New York, to Ludyah Robinson and Sophia Eliza (Hosmer) Robinson, he received a solid common school education and further honed his skills at the Newburgh Academy in New York. Early on, Lester's passion for large enterprises and sound business management set him on a path to remarkable success.^[1]

In pursuit of his ambitions, he applied for a position on the New York and Erie railroad after completing his studies. He soon earned recognition as a skilled construction worker and became part of the engineering corps employed on the Delaware division. His talents in surveying led him to become a surveyor and take on various projects, including conducting surveys from Portland, Maine, to Montreal, Canada. Subsequently, he assumed roles in the construction department and rolling stock management, working on significant engineering projects like a large drawbridge over the Richelieu River and hydrographic surveys of the St. Lawrence River.^[1][2]

Lester's engineering expertise took him to different parts of North America, including Canada and Kentucky, where he contributed to the development of various railroads. In 1850, he arrived in Calaveras, Calaveras County, California, and played a pivotal role in building the first railroad on the western coast—a 22-mile track from Sacramento to Folsom.^[1][3]

As his reputation soared, Lester acquired the impressive 8,000-acre Rancho Los Medanos on the San Joaquin River, solidifying his position as a prominent mining magnate and financier. His estate featured a splendid summer home, magnificent gardens, and extensive agricultural activities, all showcasing his exceptional business acumen and love for the land.^[4]

An ambitious and forward-thinking individual, Lester continually sought to enhance his estate's grandeur. He commissioned the planting of olive, coffee, Australian pepper, palm, and citron trees, and created a picturesque miniature lake with a fountain. The estate was home to peacocks, deer, and Guatemalan pheasants, making it a veritable paradise.^[4]

Lester ensured seamless communication by installing Western Union telegraph equipment on the ranch, linking him to the San Francisco office and the rest of the country. Additionally, he had his own private wharf and access to three steamboat landings on the riverfront. A railroad crossing his property facilitated easy travel, with trains arriving from San Francisco three times daily, while steamers called at his wharf six times daily, giving him options for swift travel to the city.^[4]

However, despite his triumphs, life presented challenges. A bachelor, Robinson had made a home for his widowed sister Sophia and her only daughter Tot Cutter. There was a fine sandy beach in front of the estate where Robinson had built a bathing house. His 23 year old niece, who was just learning to swim, panicked when she got into deep water. She fought off the attempts of ranch hand James Wood to save her, and they both drowned, while her mother and Robinson watched helplessly.^[4] A court battle and subsequent outlawing of hydraulic mining adversely affected his fortunes.^[5]

Lester Ludyah Robinson's life was one of audacious achievements, marked by his relentless pursuit of greatness and boundless ambition. His contributions to the growth of the railroad industry and his ventures in mining and ranching have left a lasting legacy. He was a visionary entrepreneur who played a significant role in shaping California's landscape and history. When he passed away on May 5, 1892, he left his beloved Los Medanos to his sister, Sophia, but his remarkable journey and pioneering spirit continue to inspire generations.<cref name='clip1'/> He was buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland, Alameda County, California.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Phelps, Alonzo., Bancroft, Hubert Howe., Davidson, George., Fitzgerald, Oscar Penn., LeConte, Joseph. Contemporary Biography of California's Representative Men: With Contributions from Distinguished Scholars and Scientists. United States: A. L. Bancroft, 1881. "Contemporary Biography of California's Representative Men." Accessed 20 Jul 2023.
2. ↑ 1840 United States Federal Census: Year: 1840; Census Place: Ellenburg, Clinton, New York; Roll: 276; Page: 333; Family History Library Film: 0017184 Ancestry Record 8057 #3802593
3. ↑ 1850 United States Federal Census: The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Calaveras District, Calaveras, California; Roll: 33; Page: 92a Ancestry Record 8054 #17999829
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3} Rego, Nilda, East Bay Times, Published 17 Aug 2008, Updated 15 Aug 2016. "Magante's magnificent Pittsburg estate encased in mists of memory." Accessed 20 Jul 2023.
5. ↑ Internet Archive, 17 Feb 1887, "L. L. Robinson House Committee on Water Rights and Drainage." Accessed 20 Jul 2023.
6. ↑ Burial: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/105380694/lester-ludyah-robinson: accessed 20 July 2023), memorial page for Lester Ludyah Robinson (4 Feb 1824–5 May 1892), Find A Grave: Memorial #105380694, citing Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA; Maintained by Janet Nadol (contributor 47170277).