Eugene Robinson
Marion County Historical Society
Before settling in Jefferson, Eugene Robinson served as a medic in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956. He met is future wife, Ida M. Robinson, while attending Texas College in Tyler. He earned a Master’s Degree in education and was a teacher for several years.
As a result of his political passions, he became the MLK of Marion County. He served as president of the local NAACP and fought for the desegregation of local schools as well as street improvements including lighting, better water quality, and much more. His efforts also included lawsuits, some against the City of Jefferson.
In 1982, he became Marion County’s first African-American Commissioner.
Mr. Robinson passed away on April 30, 2021, at the age of 89.
Dr. Fred Bonner II
Marion County Historical Society
Dr. Bonner is a professor and endowed chair in Educational leadership and Counseling at Prairie View A&M University where he has served as a professor since 2014. Prior to his tenure at Prairie View, he was the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Chair in Education at Rutgers University.
He credits his success with the grounding he received during his formative years in Marion County, saying “My parents set the foundation for my success.”