Alexander Robinson was born to an Indian mother and Scotch father in upper peninsula Michigan. He was instrumental in negotiating the 1812 Treaty of St. Louis and the 1829 Treaty of Prairie du Chien. For his services, he was given a tract of land along the Des Plaines River from roughly Cumberland Ave. to Ruby St. and from roughly Addison St. to Higgins Road. His last days were spent on his reserve east of River Road and north of Lawrence Ave. He died there and is buried in a family plot north of Lawrence Ave. along East River Road. Francis Ragor was Robinson's daughter.

When the Schiller Park Historical Society discovered that some of Chief Alexander Robinson's descendents were still living, they organized a reunion of both local and out-of-state descendents on Saturday, July 10, 2004. Robinson's descendents gathered for lunch, then went to the Robinson gravesite to view the monument and pay their respects. After this, they went to the Schiller Park Library and met with community members. Displays were set up, (see Indian dress and male outfit) and members of the Robinson family spoke to the audience.

Indian Chief Alexander Robinson was granted land by the Federal Government, which now comprises a good portion of Schiller Park and a smaller portion of Franklin Park. He married twice. The first marriage was to a woman named Cynthia Sahsos). Up to this point, we did not know of any births from this marriage, but we now know that Verlyn "Buzz" Spreeman is descended from Cynthia. Mr. Spreeman provided some genealogical information on this line.

Robinson's second marriage was to a Native American woman, Cateche (Catharine) Chevalier. Seven children were born from this marriage. Judith Wing is descended from this line, and Mrs. Wing provided the genealogical chart you see in the accompanying photographs. The information in black is what Mrs. Wing was able to accumulate. Mrs. Wing is the great-granddaughter of Alexander Robinson; daughter Sarah and grandson Matthew attended the reunion as well. (See photo of the Wing family.)

Mrs. Wing has also provided the Local History Department with a wealth of biographical and genealogical information on Alexander Robinson and some of his descendents, which also lists a number of other sources to consult. The original genealogical chart provided here is available for viewing in the Library's Local History Department, as are these original biographical and genealogical materials. Please call 847-455-6016 x234 or e-mail mjohnson@franklinparklibrary.org to set up an appointment to view Local History materials.