Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Robins, Fritz J 1826 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 9, 2007, 12:14 am

Author: Portrait & Bio Album, 1890

FRITZ J. ROBINS, one of the oldest settlers of Wheatland, did good service as 
a pioneer of the county in the early years of its settlement, actively 
assisting in the development of its rich agricultural resources, and is now 
enjoying the fruits of his early labors in his pleasant home, finely located 
on section 27, on one of the best cultivated farms in the township. Mr. Robins 
is an Englishman by birth, his native place being on the Isle of Wight in the 
English Channel, where he was born October 2, 1826, to James and Sarah (Holly) 
Robins. His paternal grandfather was Joseph Robins. The subject of this sketch 
is the fourth child in his father's family, and passed the early years of his 
childhood on his native isle, remaining an inmate of the parental household 
till his sixteenth year. He was then apprenticed to a general carpenter and 
wagon-maker in Devonshire, England, and had served for two years to learn the 
trade. Ambitious to see something more of life and to visit this country, of 
which he had heard so much, thinking that his prospects of earning something 
more than a mere livelihood would be better here than in the land of his 
birth, he emigrated to the United States in 1843, taking passage at 
Southampton on a sailing vessel, and after a voyage of about five weeks, 
landing in New York City. He came directly to Illinois and for a short time 
worked at his trade in Chicago. Observing the many advantages that the 
remarkably fertile soil of Illinois gave to the farmer, he abandoned his 
calling to give attention to agricultural pursuits, and in the fall of 1845, 
located on his present farm. This was at the time in a wild condition, he 
being the first white man to locate on it. His first work was to erect a small 
frame house, one and one half story in height and 16x26 feet in dimensions, 
which he made his home for a number of years. In 1871 he remodeled and added 
to it and made his present commodious, conveniently arranged dwelling. His 
farm comprises one hundred and twenty-five acres of land, which he has placed 
under good cultivation and has supplied with excellent improvements. October 
2, 1851, Mr. Robins and Miss Elizabeth Kinley were united in marriage. She is 
a native of Prince Edward Island, born July 3, 1832, and a daughter of William 
and Ann (Allen) Kinley. Her father was a native of the Isle of Man and her 
mother was born in Nova Scotia, both being descendants of a sterling English 
ancestry. To Mr. and Mrs. Robins has been born a large family of children, of 
whom the following eight survive: William K., a resident of Cherokee County, 
Iowa; Alfred. M.; Idell C., wife of R. S. Sager, of Story County, Iowa; Lucy 
A., wife of M. J. Kenson, of Story County, Iowa; Ethel M., wife of J. C. Eyer; 
Eva I., wife of Albert Lemer, Buena Vista, Iowa; Russell C., and Bertha. The 
names of the deceased children are Georgina, Lizzie, John J. and James. 
Through his long residence here Mr. Robins is well-known, and he is regarded 
as a thoroughly good man, whose life is guided by principles of rectitude and 
unswerving integrity, whose loyal citizenship is an honor to the place, and 
whose willing helpfulness and roundabout common sense makes him a good 
neighbor and a safe counselor. He favors all schemes for improving his adopted 
township, and did good service as Road Commissioner in the term that he held 
the office. He is a Prohibitionist in politics. He and his wife are members of 
the Baptist Church at Plainfield, and cheerfully give their support to every 
good work that is carried on by its pastor and members.

Additional Comments:
Portrait and Biographical Album of Will County, Illinois, Containing Full Page 
Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens 
of the County; Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1890

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