My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL L. ROBBINS, farmer; P. O. Troy. Samuel L. Robbins has lived in this county for more than half a century, and is now ranked among the early settlers; he was born in 1829, and was the youngest son of Lydia and Richard Robbins, who were among the first settlers, and settled in Staunton Township. Samuel, until his father’s death, had never attended school, but had grown up a vigorous man; the family was a large one, and all had to work, boys being considered good for nothing else. In 1853, Samuel concluded to leave the paternal roof and seek a fortune in California; but, after trying it three years, came back to his old home; it was his bad fortune to take passage on the ill-fated steamer Independence, that caught fire near the island of Margaretta, and she, together with the cargo, was entirely consumed; the scene, as Mr. Robbins describes it, was truly heart-rending, and 150 dead bodies were washed ashore. Mr. R., being a good swimmer, reached the land, and was of great assistance in helping save others. His return, in 1855, was marked by no incident worthy of mention, but he was glad to again get back to this wooded country. He loved and married Miss Martha J. Denman, Jan. 17, 1856, Rev. S. M. Brown tying the knot that bound them together; their married life has been a congenial one; nine children were born, of whom eight are now living—Leander M., Marietta and Margaretta (twins), Serelda A., Olive, Richard S., Laura A., Rhoda A. (now deceased) and James Edgar. Marietta is the wife of Oscar P. Stafford, and resides in Piqua; all the other children live at home and are a charming family. Mr. Bobbins has seen the transformation of the wooded, into that of an agricultural country, and, where was once the abode of the wolf and the Indian, magnificent houses and barns are seen; his strong arm has done its share toward developing this land, and he can now justly claim the reward of being financially comfortable during his old age. Politically, he is a Republican, and himself and wife are both members of the Baptist Church.