Martha Elizabeth Coe Robbins 1841 - 1926

COE, ROBBINS, ATKINSON

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/21/2022 at 15:25:37

The Correctionville News
8 July 1926

Martha Coe, daughter of William and Mary Coe, was born in England December 13, 1841.

When a small child she came to America in company with her parents. At Toulon, Illinois, September 12, 1861, she was united in marriage to Dustin H. Robbins, and after living there two years, moved to Modena, Illinois, and then two years later to Winneshiek Co., Iowa, and the following year joined the rush to the new country in northwest Iowa, making the journey by ox team to what is now known as the Robbins farm in Union township. At that time there were few settlers in this section of the country, and all there was to Correctionville was Morris Kellogg's log house which the year before had been the scene of a skirmish with the Indians, the government stockade and the Kauloff Hotel. On their journey by covered wagon from Winneshiek County, not a railroad was crossed for 220 miles and the country was in a wild state. At that time Sioux City was the nearest market place and the journey was made by ox team consuming three days time for the round trip. The Robbins family lived happily and prospered in Union township until Tuesday, September 10, 1912, when death took the beloved husband at the age of 78 on the day of his 51st anniversary of marriage to Martha Coe.

Since the death of her husband with the aid of her good children, Mrs. Robbins maintained her home and family ties. For the past few years Mrs. Robbins has been in poor health and last fall her condition took a critical turn. Death came at 3 a.m. Tuesday morning in her home at the age of 84 years, 6 months, 12 days.

She was a staunch member of the Good Hope Methodist Church, which she and her husband helped build and establish.

To this union, ten children were born with the following who survive: William of Marshall, Missouri; Albert of Hinton, Iowa; Clyde of Merna, Wyoming; Mrs. Mabel (Smithwick) Goodwin, Paul, Reuben and Henry all of Correctionville.

All were present at the funeral. Daughter Martha Ellen passed away at the age of 25 and son Robert at age 1 year and six months.

Also surviving are twenty grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren, three sisters, Mrs. William Murnan of Morningside, Sioux City, Iowa; Mrs. Levi Leek of Chamber, South Dakota; and Mrs. Nellie Lee of Waldon, North Park, Colorado.

Funeral services were held at the Good Hope Church Thursday afternoon with Rev. T.E. Ambler of Early, Iowa, who served as Mrs. Robbins' pastor for thirty-eight years, conducting the service. Burial was in the Good Hope Cemetery.