C D ROBB
Widely and favorably known in Brown county, Mr. Robb well deserves mention in this volume as a leading farmer of Powhattan township. He was born in Westmoreland county, in the Ligonier valley of Pennsylvania, August 16, 1837, and is of Scotch lineage. His grandfather, Samuel Robb, was a native of the Keystone state and died in Westmoreland county. George W. Robb, the father of our subject, was born in the same county and was there reared to manhood upon a farm. Having attained his majority he chose as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey Miss Christina Palmer, who was also born and reared in Westmoreland county, a daughter of Frederick Palmer, a representative of one of the old Pennsylvania Dutch families of that locality. The Robbs were related to General St. Clair, the celebrated Indian fighter. In 1856 George Robb removed with his family to the wilds of northeastern Kansas, locating in Doniphan county. He was one of the first settlers on the prairie and took an active part in developing and improving this section of the state. By trade he was a carpenter and followed that pursuit in connection with farming. He gave his political support to the Whig party in early life and on its dissolution joined the ranks of the Republican party. His wife died at the age of seventy-two years. Both were consistent members of the Baptist church and earnest Christian people who well merited the esteem in which they were uniformly held. This worthy couple were the parents of the following children, namely: Louisa Ellen; George, who served in the Eighth Kansas Infantry, under the command of Colonel Martin; Chancey D., Elizabeth and John.
C. D. Robb is a well-known farmer of northeastern Kansas, for he has resided in this section of the state for forty-four years. He spent his youth upon the old homestead in Pennsylvania and enjoyed such educational privileges as were afforded by the common schools of the neighborhood, reading, experience and observation, however, having added largely to his knowledge until he is now a well-informed man. He came to Kansas in 1856; and the same year cast his first vote in order to make this a free state. He watched with interest the progress of events in the south and resolved that if an attempt was made to overthrow the Union he would strike a blow in its defense. Accordingly, after the inauguration of the civil war, he enlisted in the Fourth Kansas Infantry and was afterward transferred to the Tenth Regiment of Kansas Volunteers, being under the command of Colonel Jim Lane. He participated in the battles of Fort Scott, Price's raid, Dry Wood, Fort Lincoln and West Point, Missouri, and also took part in the engagements at Fort Gibson, Fort Scott, Newtonia, Kane Hill and Prairie Grove. He was always found at his post of duty, faithfully defending the old flag and the cause it represented, and at the close of the war he received an honorable discharge.
Mr. Robb then returned to Doniphan county, Kansas, where he engaged in farming. He was married, in 1866, to Elizabeth Fry, who was a native of Virginia, but was reared, however, on a farm in Ohio, near the city of Springfield. Her father, John Fry, belonged to one of the old families of Virginia and had three sons who served in the civil war, namely: Willet A., Theodore C. and Jacob. In December, 1882, Mr. Robb was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was at that time called to her final rest. In 1883 he was again married, his second union being with Elizabeth Gilbert,. daughter of Ezekiel and Jane Gilbert, the former now deceased. Unto our subject and his wife have been born an interesting family of six children, namely: Kitty, Christina, Ella, Grace, Blanche and Leathy.
In politics Mr. Robb is a stalwart Republican who does all in his power to promote the growth and insure the success of his party, yet he has never sought office for himself, preferring to devote his attention to his business interests. He now owns eighty acres of rich bottom land in Powhattan township, Brown county, near the Nemaha county line, and is successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits. His methods of farming are progressive and the neat and thrifty appearance of his place indicates his careful supervision. As a, citizen he is loyal and true to every duty, manifesting the same fidelity which marked his course when upon the battlefields of the south he aided in defense of the Union. Throughout his long residence in northeastern Kansas he has not only witnessed its growth, but has contributed to its progress and upbuilding and he feels a just pride in the rapid and substantial improvements which this state has made.
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