Person

Charles Robinson

Man in uniform poses in front of US flag with Lyle gun, breeches, buoy, and speaking trumpet. — Charles Robinson posing with Lyle gun, breeches buoy, and speaking trumpet, ca. 1902-1910.
NPS

Charles Robinson was the third Keeper stationed at the Sleeping Bear Point Life-Saving Station.¹

Born on May 5, 1874, to Edward Robinson and Frances Byer Robinson, Charles grew up in Grand Haven, near the Grand River². He had ancestral ties to the Odawa people, as his grandparents were of Odawa heritage and trace their lineage to what is now the Grand River Band of Ottawa Indians³.

At age 19, on August 1, 1893, Charles married Wilhelmina “Minnie” Catherine Walters in Grand Haven.⁴They had their first child, Edward Robinson, on March 11, 1894. Their second child, Charles Nelson Robinson, was born on June 20, 1896, and their third child, Frances M. Robinson, arrived on November 25, 1898.

In 1900, Charles began working at the Grand Haven Life-Saving Station as a surfman.⁵ While he was there, he and Minnie welcomed their fourth child, Kenneth Robinson, born on July 12, 1901.

historic image of men in uniform standing next to a surfboat in front of a building with two large doors. Sign above doors reads US Life Saving Station.

Grand Haven's Life Saving Station crew standing outside the station next to a life boat. Front row (L to R) William Walker, surfman, Jakob VanWeelden, Frank Vogel. Back row (L to R) Heman Castle, Charles Peterson, Charles Robinson. C. 1903.
Photo Courtesy of Loutit District Library

9 men in US Life Saving Service uniforms pose for a group photo inf front of a building with large open door.

Grand Haven's Life Saving Service crew outside of the station. Front row (l to r): Charles Robinson, Jakob VanWeelden, Charles Peterson, Heman Castle. Back row; Peter Deneau, John Lysaght, Johnny Welsh, Frand Vogel, William Walker. C. 1903
Photo Courtesy of Loutit District Library

In 1902, Charles and his family moved to the Sleeping Bear Point Life-Saving Station, where he became its first crew member, earning the title of Surfman #1.⁶ Each life-saving station assigned surfmen a number that showed their seniority and skills. Surfman #1 was the highest rank below the Keeper and had extra responsibilities. In contrast, lower-ranked surfmen often had more basic tasks. Charles served at Sleeping Bear Point for over ten years, earning $65 a month, which later increased to $70 in March 1908 (equivalent to about $2,399 today).⁷

Charles and Minnie had two more children while he worked at Sleeping Bear Point. Lyle Edward was born on September 10, 1903, and Dale Robinson was born on October 14, 1905.

Being a surfman was both challenging and dangerous. On October 3, 1904, during a thunderstorm, Surfman John Dwiggans was tragically killed by a lightning strike while on lookout duty. Robinson was the one who discovered his fellow surfman.

“The lookout where Dwiggins was stationed is on top of the Bear. [Charles] Robinson went to relieve Dwiggins at 7:50, as he was to go on duty at 8. He found the door of the lookout closed, but not fastened, and when he opened it, Dwiggins was lying on the floor, dead and there was a strong smell of [gas] in the room. Two dazzling flashes of lightning and heavy peals of thunder rang out as Robinson was climbing the bluff. Dwiggins had been down to his home, near by, only 10 minutes before to get a drink, and was probably just entering the lookout and fastening the door when the bolt came that killed him.” ⁸ (Leelanau Enterprise, 8, October 1903)

7 men stand in US Life Saving Service uniforms in the entrance to a building with a large garage

Sleeping Bears's Life Saving Service crew standing outside the station. Left to Right: Captain William Walker, Herman Allere, Jesse Bell, John Dwiggins, Charles Robinson, George Mastain, Bob Smith.
Photo Courtesy of Loutit District Library

Robinson's hard work was recognized, and on February 21, 1913, he was promoted to Keeper, making him in charge of Sleeping Bear Life Saving station and the crew.⁹ He was responsible for training surfmen, maintaining equipment, and keeping daily records.

7 men in US Life Saving Service uniforms pose in front of a white building.

Charles Robinson and the crew, ca. 1902-1903.
NPS Photo

Charles Robinson and Charles E. McCauley in civilian clothes at Sleeping Bear Point Life Saving Station in 1914.
NPS courtesy of Helen Oliver

In 1915, Charles and Minnie faced a heartbreaking loss when their oldest son, Edward, died of jaundice at age 20.¹⁰ Edward had also been a surfman like his father. Records show that along with Edward, Charles’ sons Lyle and Charles also served as surfmen.¹¹

Also in 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed the “Act to Create the Coast Guard.”¹² This act combined the US Life-Saving Service with the Revenue Cutter Service, helping organize coast guard efforts across the country. In 1920, the Coast Guard's structure changed, confirming its duty to help ships in trouble on the Great Lakes. Despite this change, many life-saving methods and equipment remained the same.

On September 1, 1916, Charles transferred to the Frankfort Life-Saving Station, where he continued to serve as Keeper for the U.S. Coast Guard.¹³ On October 15, 1917, while serving at the Frankfort station, Charles and Minnie welcomed their seventh child, Edna.

By 1930, Charles transitioned from the Keeper to a Warrant Officer.¹⁴His primary job was to serve as a technical expert to Coast Guard officers, lead trainings, and provide support on complex rescues.

Tragically, Minnie passed away from a brain tumor on August 14, 1931.¹⁵

Charles officially retired from the Coast Guard in 1932.¹⁶

On October 28, 1934, Charles lost another child. Dale, age 29, went duck hunting on Little Platte Lake with a friend. It is believed their canoe tipped, and both men became stuck in the mud. They were found just a few inches below the water.¹⁷

Charles passed away on April 4, 1950, leaving behind a legacy of bravery, service, and a strong connection to his community. He and Minnie were buried together in Maple Grove Cemetery in Empire Township.¹⁸

Sources

1. “Sleeping Bear Point Lighthouse.” Michigan Lights, Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, http://www.michiganlights.com/SleepingbearpointLSS.htm.

2. "Charles Edward Robinson." Find a Grave, Find a Grave, 2021, www.findagrave.com/memorial/76119072/charles_edward_robinson.

3. “The Durant Census of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan. Part 3, The Durant Census Roll.” Compiled by Larry Wyckoff, https://www.academia.edu/31965154/The_Durant_Census_of_the_Ottawa_and_Chippewa_Indians_of_Michigan_Part_3_The_Durant_Census_Roll

4. "Michigan, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-68NQ-BYF?view=index : Nov 5, 2024), image 437 of 538; Michigan. Department of Vital Records.

5. "Charles Edward Robinson." Find a Grave, Find a Grave, 2021, www.findagrave.com/memorial/76119072/charles_edward_robinson.

6. Menz, Katherine B. Historic Furnishings Report Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Harpers Ferry Center, 1983.

7. Menz, Katherine B. Historic Furnishings Report Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Harpers Ferry Center, 1983.

8. Nelson, W. C. Leelanau Enterprise, October 8, 1903, page 2 Leelanau Enterprise 8 October 1903 — Digital Michigan Newspapers Collection

9. “Sleeping Bear Point Life Saving Station.” Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy. 01/12/07. http://www.michiganlights.com/SleepingbearpointLSS.htm

10. “Edward Robinson.” Find a Grave, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76120589/edward_robinson

11.

"Edward Robinson." Find a Grave, 15 Apr. 2011, www.findagrave.com/memorial/76120589/edward_robinson.

"Archive Record." Benzie Area Historical Museum Catalog Access, Benzie museum, https://benziemuseum.catalogaccess.com/archives/30412.

"United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940", , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WWFR-73N2 : Sat Mar 09 13:43:45 UTC 2024), Entry for Charles Nelson Robinson, 31 December 1918.

12. "Chronology of Coast Guard History." United States Coast Guard History, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, https://www.history.uscg.mil/Research/Chronology-of-Coast-Guard-History/#:~:text=1915%20Congress%20passed%20the%20%22Act,act%20on%20January%2028%2C%2

13. “MANITOU COAST GUARD STATIONS GET NEW CAPTS.", Leelanau Enterprise, November 24, 1932, front page. Leelanau Enterprise 24 November 1932 — Digital Michigan Newspapers Collection

14. "Charles Edward Robinson." Find a Grave, Find a Grave, 2021, www.findagrave.com/memorial/76119072/charles_edward_robinson.

15. “Wilhelmina Catherine “Minnie” Walters Robinson.” Find a Grave, Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/76118249/wilhelmina_catherine_robinson

16. “MANITOU ISLANDS TO HAVE CHANGES IN COAST GUARD”, Leelanau Enterprise, November 10, 1932, front page. Leelanau Enterprise 10 November 1932 — Digital Michigan Newspapers Collection

17. “TWO FRANKFORT BOYS LOSE LIFE, HUNTING ON PLATTE", Leelanau Enterprise, November 1, 1934, front page. Leelanau Enterprise 1 November 1934 — Digital Michigan Newspapers Collection

18. "Charles Edward Robinson." Find a Grave, Find a Grave, 2021, www.findagrave.com/memorial/76119072/charles_edward_robinson.

Picture 1: “Loutit Library Photo Archive.” Loutit District Library, https://loutitlibraryarchive.catalogaccess.com/photos/7021

Picture 2: “Loutit Library Photo Archive.” Loutit District Library, https://loutitlibraryarchive.catalogaccess.com/photos/7023

Picture 3: “Loutit Library Photo Archive.” https://loutitlibraryarchive.catalogaccess.com/photos/7022

Picture 4, 5, 6 “Sleeping Bear Point Lighthouse.” Michigan Lights, Michigan Lighthouse Conservancy, http://www.michiganlights.com/SleepingbearpointLSS.htm.