My Genealogy Hound

WENDELL PHILLIPS ROBBINS, an influential business man of Benton Harbor, and a prosperous dealer in lumber and building material, was born in Barnstable County, Mass., on the 24th of August, 1851, being the son of Nathaniel and Huldah (Howes) Robbins. His father was captain of a sailing-vessel and spent much of his active life upon the Atlantic Ocean, and also engaged in raising cranberries on the famous cranberry marshes of Cape Cod. Late in life he retired from the sea and spent his closing years at Harwich, Mass. He was a man of firm convictions and was one of the early anti-slavery agitators, his home being the meeting-place of many prominent Abolitionists, among whom may be mentioned the illustrious Wendell Phillips, after whom our subject was named. The father died in 1889, at the age of almost eighty-two years. His wife had passed away some time prior to his demise.

The subject of this sketch passed his boyhood years along the shores of Cape Cod, where he assisted his father in gathering cranberries. At the age of fifteen years he left the shelter of the parental roof and started out in life for himself. Proceeding to Taunton, Mass., he secured a clerical position in a dry-goods store there, and was thus engaged for two years. In 1869 he came to Benton Harbor, where he became shipping clerk for his brother, Nathaniel Robbins, remaining in his employ six years. He then purchased an interest in the lumber business in company with B. B. Eldridge, the title of the firm being Eldridge & Robbins, and their yard being the first established in Benton Harbor. After continuing in the business together for eighteen years, Mr. Robbins purchased his partner’s interest and has since conducted the business alone. His lumber-yard is located on the corner of Main and Seventh Streets, and is equipped with a complete assortment of lumber and building material.

In 1871 Mr. Robbins was united in marriage with Miss Hattie L. Rounds, who was born and reared in Benton Harbor, being the daughter of B. F. Rounds, an old and highly respected citizen of this place. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins are the parents of one daughter, Grace L., an intelligent and refined young lady, who is at present a clerk in her father’s office. Mr. Robbins has been closely connected with many of the most important interests of Benton Harbor. For one term he served as Inspecting Harbor Master, and for two years he filled the position of Alderman from the Second Ward, and then resigned. In his political sympathies, he gives his influence and support to the Republican party. He is at present one of the Directors in the Farmers’ and Merchants’ Bank of Benton Harbor, and also a Director of the Benton Harbor Building and Loan Association. Socially, he is identified with the Maccabees. With his family he occupies a cozily furnished and attractive home located on the corner of Pipestone Street and Lake Avenue.