Mildred E. Robinson was born on Monday, Dec. 17, 1894, in Cranston Town, RI, during the Presidency of Grover Cleveland. At that time her parents lived at 62 Standish Ave. She was the daughter of Thomas C. Robinson , born in Maine in 1868, and Delia Guilmain, born of Canadian parents in Woonsocket, RI in 1868. Mildred was the 3rd of 4 children. Mildred's father, Thomas C. Robinson, was a 'job printer' according to the 1900 RI Census. At some point thereafter he became a 'commercial salesman', usually selling stationery or printing supplies.

Mildred met and married a flamboyant, energetic, and charming young fellow actor named John Lee "Jack" Forcum in Cincinnati, OH, on May 27, 1917. After their marriage, Jack took a job in Indianapolis, IN, then operated a job-shop printing press in Oakland City, IN. In Dec 1918, Mildred and Jack were living with her parents in Des Moines, IA, when their first child, Jeanne, was born at 1023 24th Street. In Des Moines Jack formed "The Crow Super Productions," advertised as "manufacturing motion pictures extraordinary", and he also managed "The Jack Forcum Attractions." which he heralded as "Serving the middle west with choice legitimate productions" They were billed as "Jack LeElmore Forcum" and "Mildred Alix."

In 1919, Mildred and Jack toured with a stage play through Columbus, IN, Shelbyville, IN, Aurora, IN, and other towns. Then they performed and directed stage productions for 26 weeks on the "America", an Ohio River showboat. The "America" was a 'floater' and was pushed along by a tugboat. It had its own steam calliope. The show cruise ended in Pittsburgh, PA. Later Mildred reminisced about performing thereafter in Pittsburgh, PA, Chicago, IL, Lexington, KY, Clearwater, FL, Birmingham, AL, Cincinnati, OH, Rittman, OH, and Indianapolis, IN. Soon, however, they needed a stable income, and the Census taken on 3 Jan, 1920, showed Jack, Mildred, and 15-month-old Jeanne living at 1221 Locust Street in Cincinnati, with Jack's occupation listed as "Foreman" of a "Printing Co."

In late 1920 Jack and Mildred moved to Chicago IL. There Jack owned the "The Dawn Publishing Co." at 5508 Harper Avenue and published a weekly newspaper, "The Dawn". While in Chicago he also operated "The Jack Forcum Productions," at 1373 East 55th Street, billed as "Producing and booking the leading short cast attractions and theaters playing at popular prices." Thereafter, in a quick succession of newspaper jobs, the family moved to Clearwater, Fl, Birmingham, AL, and back to Cincinnati, OH.

In the late 1920's Jack and Mildred moved to 1536 N. Gale Street, Indianapolis, IN, where Jack worked for the Indianapolis Star as a copydeskman. In 1929, Jack and Mildred had their second child, Polly Ann. Also in 1929, Jack began his climb through the Star's editorial staff by becoming the Feature Editor. Later he was promoted to the Sunday Editor, and ultimately the Market Page Editor. Also, Jack authored the Hobbyist Workshop, a regular feature of the Sunday Star from 1939 through 1953 and a Bell Syndicate column.

Mildred and Jack were extremely active in the work of Masonry. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 393 in Indianapolis. Mildred was justifiably proud that she had been a High Priestess of the White Shrine, a royal matron of the Order of the Amaranth Shrine, and a member of the Ladies' Oriental Shrine. She was also a member of the Methodist Church.

Mildred's husband Jack was the Market Page Editor for the Star, when he passed away in Apr 1953, at the age of 61. Unfortunately, she did not have the financial resources to stay at home after his death, becoming the librarian for the main collection at The Indianapolis Star. The librarian at a major newspaper like the Star knows and is known by everyone at the newspaper. When a reporter needs background information for a story, he comes to the librarian; and, when the editor needs facts for an editorial, he comes to the librarian. Known and loved by all, she served at the Star in this position for 17 years, from 1954 to 1971.

In the late 1970's she moved from her N. Gale home in Indianapolis to the Indiana Masonic Home in Franklin, IN, were she passed away at age 84 on August 11, 1979
By Jim Forcum