Representative Joseph DeForest Robbins View All Years

HON. J. D. ROBBINS

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee appointed to prepare resolutions commemorating the life and services of the Honorable J. D. Robbins, late of Mills county, Iowa, beg leave to submit the following memorial:

J. D. Robbins, who represented Mills county in the Thirty-fourth General Assembly, was born at Valparaiso, Porter county, Indiana, December 4, 1854, the son of Samuel Putnam Robbins and Caroline Coe Robbins. Mr. Robbins received his education in the schools of Valparaiso and attended the normal college in that city, receiving his diploma from the commercial department. As a young man he and his brother engaged in farming in his native state of Indiana. They owned one of the largest and finest farms in that section. In 1881 he was married to Miss Henrietta Gaylord of Porter county, Indiana, and they began their home life on a ranch in Kansas, where Mr. Robbins had located in 1880, and established themselves in the cattle ranching business. In 1882 they left Kansas and returned to Indiana, and the following year emigrated to Iowa, buying the Lute Robbins ranch north of Hastings, now known as the Highbank Farm, which was developed into one of the finest ranches and farm homes in the state.

Mr. Robbins did not confine all of his activities to farming, but engaged in the lumber business for a time at Hastings, and for several years operated a grain business of considerable extent. While on the farm north of Hastings he was an active member of the Wesley Chapel Methodist church, and was always greatly interested in the Sunday School work of that institution. For many years he taught a class of young people there, and continued the same line of public spirited work after moving to Malvern. His large Sunday School class in the Methodist church of that city was one of the last things he mentioned. The extent of his work in that field permeated favorably throughout the entire countryside, and left the kindest of thoughts for him among his many friends.

In 1908 Mr. and Mrs. Robbins moved to Malvern, building a new and beautiful home where he resided until his death. Upon coming to that pleasant little city, he took an active interest in civic affairs and was serving a second term in the council when death claimed him. He was active in the work of financing and building the new Memorial Community Building, and was one of its trustees from the time it was built. In addition, he was chairman of the official board of the Methodist church in Malvern, and in all these things he gave faithful, conscientious service to the public.

Mr. Robbins was a Republican in politics, and always ranked high in the councils of his party. In 1912 he was elected to the state legislature, and served his term with honor and fidelity. While in the House, Mr. Robbins worked consistently in behalf of the Iowa farmers, and was true to the trust they reposed in him as a state official. Mills county may well be proud that his name is on the roll of those who have represented that particular district in the legislative body of this state.

J. D. Robbins was a man of unusual business ability, strict integrity, and sterling honesty in all his dealings. He was not only well educated, but well read, and always availed himself of more than ordinary knowledge on all present day topics, so that his opinion was often sought and seriously considered. His beliefs were strong and it was difficult to alter his convictions. When he had once made up his mind upon a question, Mr. Robbins would sacrifice rather than compromise with the wrong. Unfortunately, we do not have enough public officers of that type. The community in which he lived, his county and state lost a good friend, a capable citizen, and a loyal Iowan when he left this world.

He is survived by his wife, his son, L. L. Robbins of Hastings, and his daughters, Mrs. Ina Lisle of Hastings, and Mrs. Fern Wilson of Harlan.

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Forty-third General Assembly, That in the death of Hon. J. D. Robbins this state has lost a public spirited man of the highest quality, and this House, by this resolution, tenders its sympathy to the relatives that survive him.

Be It Further Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the Journal, and an enrolled copy sent to the surviving relatives.

OTHA D. WEARIN,

HARRY M. GREENE,

L. O. CLARK,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 8, 1929