Hanmer Robbins Biography - Grant County Wisconsin

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Submitted by David W. Taft, dtaft@cowtown.net

Source:

1881 History of Grant Co., Wisconsin
Western Historical Company, Chicago, IL
Biographical Sketches, Platteville, Pg. 918

HANMER ROBBINS, farmer; was born in the town of Deerfield, Oneida Co., N.Y.,
Dec. 11, 1815.  In addition to a common-school education, he attended Hobert
Hall Institute, alternating his attending school falls with working on farm
summers and teaching winters, during 1834,1835 and 1836.  In May, 1837, he
came to Platteville Wis. and, in June, was teaching the village school,
which school he continued to teach for the following two years; then
followed mining for about eight years; then, meanwhile, having bought a farm
near the village, he engaged in farming which occupation he still follows;
he went to California in 1850 and returned in 1852.  He was married June 1
1847 to Miss A. L. Goodell, of Clinton, Oneida Co., N.Y.  They have had
seven children, four of whom are still living—Fanny, now Mrs. Gray, of
Madison; Thomas, Roderick and George.  Mr. R. was Town Superintendent of
Schools, from 1854 to 1860; was elected to the State Legislature for the
years 1857, 1858, 1861, 1864, 1866, 1867 and 1868, and was Chairman of the
Committee on Education during four of the seven years. He was Chairman of
that Committee in 1858, when the State University of Wisconsin was
re-organized and women admitted to the University.  He was a member of the
State Board of Regents for Normal Schools ten years, and was mainly
instrumental in securing the law establishing several Normal schools instead
of only one, as well as in securing the location of the first State Normal
School at Platteville.  He was President of the D., P. & M. R. R., from its
first inception until it was bought by the C., M. & St. P. R. R., in 1880;
also General Manager during its construction.