Robbins, William

ROBBINS, HANKISON, ROBINSON, WALKER

Posted By: Mary H. Cochrane, Volunteer
Date: 7/7/2019 at 08:35:06

Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa, (Lewis Publishing Company (1887)), pp. 688-89:

“WILLIAM S. ROBBINS , ONE OF THE OLD PIONEERS OF Decatur County, with whose interests he has been identified since the fall of 1853, was born in New Jersey, February 16, 1831, his parents, Cornelius and Ann (Hankison) Robbins, being born, reared and married in the same State. In 1836 they moved to Pickaway County, Ohio, and there our subject was reared to the avocation of a farmer, his father dying in that county. After he established his home in this county his mother came to live with him, and died at his home. His parents had a family of ten children, of whom he was the ninth child. After living in Decatur Township six months, Mr. Robbins entered 200 acres of land, on section 2, a part of his present homestead, and on this property he has lived since his marriage, which occurred in 1857. His wife, whose maiden name was Caroline Robinson, was a native of Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Robbins were born nine children – David, residing in this county; Elizabeth, living in Leon; Charles N., of Custer County, Nebraska; Mrs. Martha Walker, of this county; Sherman, living with his parents; and Ann, Hamilton, Emma and Frank, living at home. Mr. Robbins has prospered since coming to Iowa, having at that time only enough money to enter his first 200 acres. The home property now contains 320 acres of well-improved land, besides which he owns a tract of fifty acres of timber land on section 4, of Decatur Township. In politics Mr. Robbins has always affiliated with the Republican party, casting his first vote for General Scott, in 1852. He has held several township trusts, serving in all with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He is a member of the Masonic Fraternity.”

Transcribed by Christy Jay for Ringgold County, Iowa, Rootsweb.