The first man in the county to win high office was Hon. Gifford S. Robinson, who came here in 1870.  He was born in Tremont, Illinois, in 1843, his parents being both American born.  He was reared on a farm, and educated in the district school, academy and the Illinois State Normal.  He was a graduate of the law department of Washington University, of St. Louis.  Judge Robinson was a veteran of the Civil war.  He commenced the practice of law in this county in January, 1870, and was county attorney for several terms.  Later he went to the legislature, serving in the House during the sixteenth general assembly and in the senate in the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first general assemblies.  He was elected judge of the supreme court in 1887 and served until December 31, 1899. After retiring from the supreme court Judge Robinson was appointed a member of the state board of control in 1900, was reappointed in 1906, and will serve until 1912.  Judge Robinson is a scholarly man and while a resident of this county took a deep interest in its early history.  From a sketch prepared by him in 1870 the editor of this work has gained valuable information.