WASHINGTON COUNTY, TN - BIOGRAPHIES - E. V. Robbs Biographical Sketch
From Goodspeed's History of Roane County, TN
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E. V. Robbs, a merchant and farmer, was born August 30, 1827, in Washington 
County, Tenn., and since his eighth year has lived at his present home. In 
April, 1847, he enlisted in the First North Carolina Infantry, and was 
mustered out August 8, 1848, at Smithville, N. C. August 11, 1861, he 
also enlisted in Company E, First Tennessee Infantry, and served until 
March 7, 1865. He was second lieutenant of his company, and while 
stationed near Washington, in Rhea County, guarding the ford there, he
was captured, and with nine others, of whom he became the only survivor, 
was held sixteen months and three days in Libby Prison. He was engaged in iron
forging until 1876, since when he has been devoted to farming and 
merchandising at his present location. Besides his stock of goods he also owns 
500 acres of land on the C. S. R. R., all the result of his own skill and hard 
work. March 11, 1852, he married Rebecca S., a daughter of Samuel and Sallie 
Owings. Their children are Alexander (now of Texas), Sallie (widow of the late 
W. Tarwater), and Margaret (deceased). The mother died Sep- tember 14, 1859. 
February 23, 1860, he married Louisa Ables, a daughter of J. C. Ables. Their 
children were James, Henderson, Nancy A., Lillie M., Amanda (deceased), Eddie 
(deceased), Luther (deceased) and Patrick. He is a Republican, and first voted 
for Taylor. He is the third of twelve children of Alexander and Nancy (Hickey) 
Robbs, the former a native of South Carolina, and since boyhood a resident of 
Washington County, Tenn. The mother was born in Wytheville, Va., and also when 
a child became a resident of Washington County. He was a son of Edward and 
Betsey Robbs, of Irish origin.