San Joaquin County
Biographies
LEWIS WILSON ROBBINS & CO.
L. W. ROBBINS & CO.--No
more pleasant task is accorded the local historian in chronicling the business
history of a city, than that of narrating the success of young men, who,
starting in life without financial backing, make their way to the front rank in
commercial circles by their own efforts, and through their own business
abilities. Such a one is L. W. Robbins, who has in a short space of time built
up a trade extending to the remotest corners of San Joaquin County. The
following facts in regard to him therefore become of general interest.
L. W. Robbins is a son of Henry P. and Ann
(Osgood) Robbins, and he was born during the progress of their trip overland to
California, on the 13th of August, 1859, after they had passed
through Utah. His father was a native of England, who came to America in 1850,
locating at Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he followed his trade, that of cooper.
He afterward removed to Utah Territory, and there resided until 1859, when he
came to California with his family by ox team. In 1860 he came to Stockton and
located at the corner of Clay and American streets, where he carried on
cooperage and wine-making and dealt in fruit. There he carried on business
until his death, which occurred in 1872. His wife had died in 1868.
L. W. Robbins, with whose name this sketch
commences, was reared in Stockton, and educated in her public schools. After
completing his schooling he engaged as clerk with D. J. Lewis & Co.,
butchers, with whom he remained over a year, following this engagement one year
in the same capacity with James M. McCarthy, retail grocer. His next employment
was in the manufacturing works of Matteson & Williamson. After quitting
their employ, he was for seven years with C. E. Perkins, whom he succeeded in
business.
Mr. Robbins was married in this city,
October 17, 1886, to Miss Cora Stine, born at Tomales, Marin County, this
State. They have one child--Alma.
Mr. Robbins is a prominent member of
Charity Lodge, No. 6, I. O. O. F., of which he was Noble Grand in 1885 and
Representative of the Rebekah degree lodge; an active member of Centennial
Lodge, No. 38, K. of P., and has held the post of Sub-Chief Ranger in Court San
Joaquin, No. 17862, Order of Foresters.
The business which Mr. Robbins is so
successful conducting was started in early times by H. S. Sargent. He was
succeeded by C. E. Perkins & Co., and that firm by Mr. Robbins, who has
carried on the business since 1885. A large trade is done by mail orders,
extending as far as Fresno south, and east to Sonora and the mountains. A large
proportion of more prominent ranch operators of San Joaquin County trade
exclusively with this house in its line, and the store on Hunter street square
is at all times a busy hive of industry. Mr. Robbins handles only the best
goods, from the most responsible manufacturers, and has made his reputation by
his method of carefully looking out for his customers’ interests.
Mr. Robbins is certainly one of the most
progressive of Stockton’s business men, young or old, and well merit’s the
success which has attended his efforts.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
An Illustrated History of San Joaquin County,
California, Pages 577-578. Lewis Pub.
Co. Chicago, Illinois 1890.
© 2009 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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