Thomas Barlow Walker – Robbinsdale Historical Society

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.

Most of the suburbs in the Minneapolis area are named after the landscape. We have a Richfield, a Golden Valley, and an Eden Prairie. Robbinsdale is named for a man. The little village founded on April 19, 1893, was named for Andrew B. Robbins. A civil war veteran, entrepreneur, state senator and former Mayor of Willmar, Minnesota. Robbins purchased 90 acres of beautiful land for development in the late 1880’s. The areas lakes were already popular with duck hunters and the village quickly became the first suburb of Minneapolis.

Here’s an excerpt from “History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest” published in 1923

Andrew Bonney Robbins, becoming chief accountant, ticket agent and telegraph
operator, all in one, at St. Anthony in the days of the pioneer development of
Minneapolis, was thereafter for many years closely associated with the growth
and development of the city, in which ultimately he came to prominence as a
most successful grain merchant. This, however, constituted but one phase of his
activities and his labors were a forceful element in beautifying and improving
the city along civic lines and in upholding the legal and moral status of the
state. There are many who pay tribute to his splendid character and his kindly,
helpful service toward his fellowmen.
His life story is as follows and may well constitute an example for others: He
was born in Phillips, Maine, April 27, 1845, his parents being Daniel and Mary
(Shaw) Robbins, the latter a granddaughter of Captain Abraham Shaw, who was a
soldier of the Revolutionary war and a descendant of John Howland, one of the
Pilgrims who came to the new world on the Mayflower. Mrs. Robbins was a lady of
beautiful character and innate refinement. The father was a representative
business man of Phillips, Maine, possessing a considerable estate and making his
home in New England until 1855, when he brought his family to what was then the
far west, settling at Anoka, in the territory of Minnesota.