Robbins, Horace H. 1845-1934

ROBBINS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 6/22/2013 at 11:03:32

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
Feb. 1934

GRINNELL GRADUATE
DIED IN THE WEST

Another old graduate of the college, Horace H. Robbins, of the class of 1869, died last week in Eugene, Oregon, where he had made his home for a number of years. Mr. Robbins was business manager of the college from 1887 until his retirement in 1905, and was very active in municipal affairs also. He served on the city council for several terms and was instrumental in the building of the city water works. For many years the college office, at the corner of Fourth avenue and Broad street, where Dr. P.E. Somer's office is now located, was Mr. Robbins' headquarters, and all college business was transacted there, including the paying of tuition.

Mr. Robbins was a son of Alden B. Robbins, a member of the famed "Iowa Band" that started the college, who was a minister at Muscatine for many years. He was married to his classmate Abbie Whitcomb, who survives him. Interment will be in Hazelwood at some time still be to announced.
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The Grinnell (IA) Herald
Feb. 16, 1934

H. ROBBINS
PASSES AWAY
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Death Occurred Thurs., Feb. 15, at
Eugene, Oregon. Ashes Will Be
Brought To Grinnell
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The Herald received a telegram this morning from Hale Douglas at Eugene, Oregon, dated Feb. 15. The telegram says: "Horace Robbins fell breaking hip yesterday. He died today. Ashes will go to Grinnell."

Horace Robbins was born at Muscatine, August 20, 1845. He graduated from Grinnell college in 1869 and served as pastor of the Congregational church at Postville, Iowa from '78 to'80. He quit the ministry on account of his throat which was not strong enough to stand the constant preaching and became a civil engineer on a railroad in Texas and later on the Canadian Pacific railroad and also served in the same capacity in Minnesota and Dakota. He became secretary of Grinnell college in 1887 and trustee in 1899. He was a member of the city council in 1895 and '96. He was a man of high character and all who knew him considered him a trusted friend and a worthy gentleman. His wife was Abbie Whitcomb of Grinnell who survives him.