Albion Interactive History

Eugene P. Robertson, 1841
5th Mayor, 1890
School Board

Died December 31, 1916
City of Albion Mayor +

Accomplishments as Mayor

Additions to Albion
Irwin and Hodges Addition to Albion, 1890

Biography
Eugene P. Robertson was born near Albion on August 23, 1841, and received his education in the Little Red Schoolhouse. He received further education at Albion College and the University of Michigan, and became actively involved in community affairs. In 1863 he joined the banking firm of Mayhew & Irwin as a clerk, but left that concern after a few months to join Sheldon's bank, where he served as head cashier. Robertson later went into partnership with Sheldon.

Robertson served as president of the Village of Albion, as mayor in 1890, and as treasurer. He was also actively involved on the school board, and was the director and treasurer of several industries in the city. From 1891 to 1892, he served as the treasurer of the Michigan Banker's Association. He died in Albion on December 31, 1916, at the age of 75. At the time of his death, flags in the city were lowered to half-mast. He was buried in the Robertson family plot in Riverside Cemetery, just east of the cemetery office building.

Source: Frank Passic. Albion's Banks and Bankers. Albion, Michigan: Albion Civic Foundation. 1985.

Eugene P. Robertson was a banker at the Albion Exchange Bank, that was reorganized to become the Albion State Bank in 1895. It was Robertson who instituted a school savings department for students, in which pupils would save money and deposit it into the Albion State Bank. None anticipated that the youths of that day, would as adults see the bank fail in 1931, with their savings frozen and portions lost forever. Robertson served on the school board for many years, and was board president during the 1885-86 school year.
Source: Frank Passic. A History of the Albion Public Schools. Albion, Michigan: E. Weil Publishing Services. 1991.