John Shumway

John Shumway came from Mansfield, Connecticut in 1855 and settled on a claim near Elk River. He didn’t stay long because of the rattle snakes and mosquitoes. He returned to Connecticut – taught school for … Read more

George Swift’s Drug Store

George Swift was born in Boston in 1848. At the tender age of 13 he enlisted as a drummer boy for Fort Snelling. during the Civil War he marched through Georgia with General Sherman. Swift’s … Read more

Amazing Amy

Amy Robbins on her father's estate in the 1890's.
Amy Robbins on her father’s estate in the 1890’s.

In 1921 Amy Robbins earned this entry in “American Biography: A New Cyclopedia, Vol. 9”, by William Richard Cutter. The book was published by The American Historical Society, Inc of New York.

WARE, Amy (Robbins),

Author, Red Cross Worker in France.

Amy (Robbins) Ware, of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, daughter of Andrew Bonney and Adelaide Julia (Walker) Robbins, is of Colonial ancestry. She is a lineal descendant of the “Mayflower Pilgrim,” John Howland, through Captain Abraham Shaw (American Revolution), Captain Shaw’s daughter being Mary (Shaw) Robbins, mother of Andrew Bonney Robbins.

It was in Minneapolis, Minnesota, under the hospitable roof of her mother’s brother, Thomas Barlow Walker, that Amy Robbins was born, September 7, 1877.

Much of the active interest in art which has motivated the life of Amy Robbins originated in the hours spent from earliest childhood among the art treasures of the T. B. Walker Collection. From the age of eight she was a devotee of the violin, studying and later teaching that instrument. She graduated from East Minneapolis High School, 1896, specializing in architecture, which profession she practiced until 1898. She was graduated from the University of Minnesota, Bachelor of Science, 1901. She studied applied-design, woodcarving, leather and jewelry, in summer schools of Minneapolis Handicraft Guild, 1905-06. She received the degree of Master of Arts, University of Minnesota, 1907; major in dramaturgy, historic-design, archaeology.

She married J. R. Ware, August 14, 1907. Residence, “The Orchard,” Robbinsdale. She established “Orchard Crafts Guild,” 1908. She traveled on the continent, 1913-14.

Coming of a family who for generations have “served with the colors,” it was inevitable that Amy (Robbins) Ware should take part in the World War as soon as her own country became involved, and devote herself to the cause. April 6, 1917, (the day the United States declared war), Mrs. Ware entered the American School of Telegraphy, studying Morse and Radio Telegraphy, remaining until July, 1917. She conducted the Radio Department, Women’s Naval Service Inc. Training School, teaching both day and night classes from September, 1917, to March, 1918. She was accepted as a canteen worker, American Red Cross, and sailed for France on “La Touraine,” March 14, 1918.

Read more

File#FF001.05 Ambrose, Leo

Record number 458 Identification Institution name Robbinsdale Historical Society Object number FF001.05 Number of parts 1 Distinguishing features Photos Object name and title Object category Family Files Object name Ambrose, Leo Title Ambrose, Leo Production … Read more