Washtenaw Product
George Robison, The Well Known Detroit Lawyer,
Whose Legal Ability Secured a Disagreement of the Ascher Jury. --He Was a Son of John J. Robison.
Ex-Prosecuting Attorney George F. Robison, of Detroit, whose masterly defense of Ascher, charged with the murder of Valmore C. Nicohls, secured a disagreement of the jury, is the son of ex-County Clerk John J. Robison. The Detroit Journal gives this sketch of him:
He was born on a farm in Sharon, Washtenaw county, and graduated from the Grass Lake high school, earning his way by farming. He worked his way through the literary department of the University of Michigan graduating with the class of '73. Corresponded for the Free Press while in Ann Arbor and about the close of his senior year an event probably of importance took place. Henry Wagner who kept a small store on Washington st., Ann Arbor killed his wife and child by denting their skulls with the blunt end of a hatchet. Mr. Robison gathered the facts ran to the depot made his way to Detroit on a freight train and the Free Press had a good scoop. Mr. Quinby wanted him to report for his paper and Mr. Robison accepted.
This brought him into close relation with John A. Bell and a few years ago he helped bury him. There are few who know what a tug it was on Mr. Robison's heart strings, for he held him in most affectionate esteem.
John and he were alike ambitious to become lawyers, and while they worked together on the Free Press they utilized all spare time reading law and quizzing each other. Then they went together to the supreme court and were admitted to the bar.
Mr. Robison commenced law practice then was appointed clerk of the superior court, which position he resigned, and has since practiced his profession; two terms he served as assistant prosecuting attorney, and was twice elected prosecutor. It may be that his experience as prosecutor directed his course subsequently, to a considerable extent, into the field of criminal practice. He was one of the best prosecutors Wayne county has had. The police and detectives still like to talk about how he use to prosecute. His distinguished and able successor, Prosecuting Attorney Frazer, speaking of him to a party of friends:
"George Robison? Let me tell you something. I like to go into a suit with him. I know there is no danger of convicting an innocent man. Besides, he is the soul of honor."
Mr. Robison was accosted by a well known citizen, not long ago, after he had been successful in a sensation defense, with the reflection:
"Mr. Robison, you are a calamity to the county by securing the acquittal of those who ought to be locked up. I don't think you are acting the part of a good citizen to take such cases."
"Do you mean that?" asked the attorney.
"Yes, I do."
"Well, you are a greater menace to the community than I."