C. A. Robins | |
|---|---|
.jpg) From 1950'sGem of the Mountains, the yearbook of theUniversity of Idaho | |
| 22nd Governor of Idaho | |
| In office January 6, 1947 – January 1, 1951 | |
| Lieutenant | Donald S. Whitehead |
| Preceded by | Arnold Williams |
| Succeeded by | Len Jordan |
| Idaho SenatePresident pro tempore | |
| In office January 1943 – January 1945 | |
| Preceded by | Perry Mitchell |
| Succeeded by | J.E. Williams |
| Member of theIdaho Senate from theBenewah County district | |
| In office January 1939 – January 1947 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Charles Armington Robins (1884-12-08)December 8, 1884 |
| Died | September 20, 1970(1970-09-20) (aged 85) |
| Resting place | Lewis Clark Memorial Gardens, Lewiston |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Marguerite S. Granberry (m.1919–1938, her death) Olive Patricia Simpson (m.1939–1970, his death) |
| Children | 3 daughters (w/ Simpson) |
| Residences | |
| Alma mater | |
| Profession | Physician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  U.S. Army |
| Years of service | 1918 |
| Rank |  First lieutenant |
| Unit |  Medical Corps |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Charles Armington Robins (December 8, 1884 – September 20, 1970) was an Americanphysician and the 22nd governor ofIdaho.
Born inIowa atDefiance inShelby County, at age four Robins moved west with his family toColorado, settling atLa Junta inOtero County. He graduated in 1907 fromWilliam Jewell College inLiberty, Missouri, then taught high school inMissouri,Colorado,Montana, andMississippi. He entered medical school in 1913 atRush Medical College of theUniversity of Chicago, working various night jobs to put himself through, and earned hisMD in 1917.[1]
DuringWorld War I, Robins entered theMedical Corps of theU.S. Army in August 1918 as afirst lieutenant. and ended his military service on December 16, 1918.[1] Given free transportation by theGreat Northern Railway to look at two towns that needed physicians, he leftChicago the following week. He arrived inSt. Maries, Idaho, onChristmas Eve and chose it overThree Forks, Montana, and stayed for 28 years, until elected governor.[2][3] For a generation, Robins delivered nearly every baby inBenewah County.[4]
Robins was a member of thestate senate for four terms, from 1939 to 1947. He ran for governor in1946,[5] and was the first in Idaho to be elected to a four-year term; all previous governors had been elected to two-year terms.[6] He handily defeated the incumbent,Arnold Williams,[7][8] who had gained the office when his predecessor,Charles Gossett, resigned to be immediately appointed by Williams to a vacant seat in theU.S. Senate.[9][10]
| Year | Democrat | Votes | Pct | Republican | Votes | Pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Arnold Williams (inc.) | 79,131 | 43.6% | C. A. Robins | 102,233 | 56.4% |
The new four-year term disallowed self-succession (re-election) until1958,[11] so Robins and his Republican successor in1950,Len Jordan, served single four-year terms and retired from office. The state constitution was later amended, after receiving voter approval in the 1956 general election.[12]
Robins was a delegate to theRepublican National Convention in1948 while in office as governor. Not allowed to compete for a second term in 1950, he ran for theU.S. Senate, but was defeated in the August primary byHerman Welker.[13][14]
After leaving the governor's office in 1951 at age 66, Robins moved his residence from St. Maries toLewiston and became the medical director of the north Idaho district of the Medical Service Bureau, later known asRegence Blue Shield.[2]
Robins married Marguerite Sherman Granberry (1892–1938) on July 8, 1919, inHazlehurst, Mississippi; she died at age 46 in May 1938 and they had no children. He married Patricia Simpson (1914–1993) of St. Maries, one of his nurses, in November 1939 and they had three daughters: Patricia, Paula, and Rebecca.[15]
He was a member of theAmerican Legion, theAmerican Medical Association,Phi Gamma Deltafraternity,Nu Sigma Nuprofessional fraternity, andFreemasons.
Robins died at age 85 inLewiston on September 20, 1970,[16] and is interred at Lewis Clark Memorial Gardens in Lewiston.
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by W. H. Detweiler | Republican Party nominee,Governor of Idaho 1946 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
