Person:Jessie Robinson (2)

She was very small in stature, perhaps below five feet. She died at age 49. Robert Wright reported that it was from exhaustion from the demands of a large family. At one time she worked in an extract compny that was owned by her brother-in-law's (Al Stange) brother. They made orange and rose scents among other things. The Wright boys remember getting to eat the inside fruit of the oranges after they were brought home. The business used only the peel for the extract. The Robinson family was said to have done all right financially due to her father's stone yard. Jessie had nine boys. Her first Russell died at six mos. Her next, Herbert was six feet tall and large in contrast to the rest of the family. He died at age 21 of diabetes. Walter first married Francis Kirkland, but she died in 1929 after having two children. Francis' family had a pharmiceutical company in Decatur Il. The company was part of, or somehow associated with Ely Lily Pharmiceutical. At her death her stock went to her children. They reportedly quickly sold the stock and avoided becoming wealthy as Lily became a dominant drug company. Walter's next wife Leslie Snyder did some writing for children's books. We still have a story of hers from the Jack and Jill magazine. Walter was in the Boy Scouts in different capacities throughout his life.He was awarded the Boy Scouts highest award the Silver Beaver. He was also in the Masonic Lodge. Walter and Joseph worked for Marsh and McLellen Insurance Co. They put in over fifty years there a piece. Walter was seemingly always in a good mood and always had a joke for the kids. He seemed to be the glue for the Wright brothers. Joe volunteered during WWII. He was too old and wouldn't have been drafted. He became part of the Fighting 69th in Germany. Joe married Eleanor Alspaugh in 1943. George worked for a company that made car mufflers among other things. He was married to Gertrude Bennett who was an elementary school teacher. Their son Robert is a neurologist in the Chicago area. He has or had an office near Presbyt erian St. Luke's Hospital near Chicago. Willard ,Bill, was in the Army during WWII, stationed in the south pacific. He spent five years in the artillery. He was the rank of sargeant when he was released .Bill and Gail Beekman had two daughters. Sara is a teacher and Ellen runs a preschool. Bill spent his whole forty five year career working for Bausch and Lomb Optical Comp. in Chicago along with his brother Bob. Jesse worked for American Can Company in Chicago as a chemist. He had some college but did not finish. When he was in Austin High School, he was reported to be a fast runner in track. He married Fay Kimball. Perry worked for International Harvester as an accountant. He was the only brother to finish college. He was a good athlete in both track and football at Glenbard High School in Glen Ellyn, Il. He was in the Coast Guard during WWII. He had to be midevaced back to the States because of a bleeding ulcer. He married Jean Woodruff. He died in a house fire in Glen Ellyn.