Page:The Biographical Dictionary of America, vol. 09.djvu/126

 ROANE

ROBBINS

ROANE, John Selden, governor of Arkansas, was burn in Wilson county, Tenn., Jan. 8, 1S17. He was graduated from Cumberland college, theii located at Princeton, Ky., and about 1835 removed to Pine Bluff, Ark., and was a representative in the state legislature for several years, serving as speaker in 1844. He engaged in the war with Mexico as lieutenant-colonel of Archibald Yell's Arkansas cavalry, and served at Buena Vista, where he commanded the regiment after Colonel Yell was killed. Eeb. 22, 1847, being commissioned colonel, Feb. 28, 1847. A company in the regiment was commanded by Albert Pike (q.v.), who sub- sequently wrote severe criticisms on Roane's con- duct in the Mexican war. and Colonel Roane challenged him. They fought in Indian Territory opposite Fort Smith in August, 1848, Roane's friend, Henry M. Rector, acting as his second. After exchanging shots twice, the difficulty was settled, and afterward the two men were warm friends. Roane was governor of Arkansas, 1848-52. On the outbreak of the civil war he joined the Confederate army; was appointed brigadier-gen- eral, March 20. 1862, and on April 8, 1862, upon the trans- fer of Van Dorn's army to Cor- inth, General Roane was left in charge of the state, his force consisting of the scattered state militia, badly organized and poorly armed, and the 5.000 Indians and half-breeds, under Gen. Albert Pike, in the Indian Territory. On the arrival of Gen. Thomas C. Hindman to take command of the trans-Mississippi army. General Roane assumed command of a brigade in Sharp's division, and took part in the battle of Praitfe Grove, Dec. 7, 1862. He died at Pine Bluff. Ark., April 7. 1869.

ROANE, William Harrison, senator, was born in Virginia in 1788. He received a good educa- tion; was twice a member of the Virginia execu- tive council; a member of the house of delegates of Virginia, and a representative from that state in the 14th congress, 1815-17. He was elected U.S. senator to complete the term of Richard Elliott Parker, who resigned to take his seat upon the bench of the court of appeals of Virginia, and he .served. Sept. 4, 1837-March 3, 1841. He died at Tree Hill. Va.. May 11, 1845.

ROBB, Edward, representative, was born in Brazeau, Mo.. Marcli 19, 1857; son of Dr. Lucius F. and Lucinda (Slianer) Robb, and grandson of William Robb and of Jacob and Elizabeth Shaner. He was educated in the public schools, at Brazeau academy, and at Fniitland Normal institute, and was graduated from the Missouri State university, LL.B., in 1879. He was admitted to the bar in May of the latter year, and settled in practice in Perryville, Mo.; serving as prosecuting attorney

of Perry county, 1880-84, and as a rejjresentative in the state legislature, 1884-88. He wjus married, Nov. 13, 1889, to Maude, daughter of Judge T. J. and Carrie (Arnold) Watkins of Eddyville, Ky. He was assistant attorney-general of the state, « 1889-93, and a Democratic rejjresentative from the thirteenth Missouri district in the 55th, 56th, 57th and .58th congresses, 1897-1905.

ROBBINS, Asher, senator, was born in Wetherslield, Conn., Oct. 26, 1757, He was graduated at Yale, A.B., 1782; was a tutor in belles lettres in Rhode Island college, now Brown university, 1782-90, and librarian, 1782-85. He studied law under the Hon. William Channing, attorney-general of Rhode Island; was admitted to the bar and practised in Providence until 1795, and in Newport, R.I., 1795-1845. He was ap- pointed U.S. district attorney for Rhode Island in 1812, represented Newport in the state assem- bly, 1818-25, and was elected to the U.S. senate from Rhode Island as a Whig, Nov. 5, 1825, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of James De Wolf. He was re-elected, Nov. 2, 1826, and Jan. 19, 1833. In the session of the legisla- ture of October, 1833, his election was declared null and void, and on Nov. 1 the grand com- mittee declared Elisha R. Potter elected, the friends of Robbins refusing to vote because their protest had not been considered. In the first session of the 23rd congress, 1833-34, Senator Robbins successfully contested the right of Potter to the seat. He served in the senate from Dec. 5, 1825. to March 3. 1839, when he resumed practice in Newport, and again served in the general assembly. His son, Christopher EUery Robbins, was secretary of state of Rhode Island, 1849-51. Senator Robbins received the degree LL.D. from Brown in 1835. He published two addresses on domestic industry, and a Fourth of July Oration (1827). He died in Newport, R.I., Feb. 25, 1845.

ROBBINS, Gaston Ahi, representative, was born in Goldsboro, N.C.. Sept. 26, 1858; son of Julius Alexander and Amanda (Alfoid) Robbins; grandson of Ahi and Mary (Brown) Rol)bins, and a descendant of William Robbins of Rowan county, N.C., who removed to that county from eastern Virginia in 1763. His father, a member of the Selma bar, was killed in the Confederate service near ]\Iount Sterling. Ky., July 9, 18^4, and after his death the family moved to Robbins Farm, Randolph county, N.C. He worked on the farm; attended Trinity college; entered the University of North Carolina in 1877, and was graduated in 1879. He studied law under Judges Dick and Dillard in Greensboro, N.C.; was ad- mitted to the bar in 1880. and practiced in Selma, Ala., where he won re(ognition as a lawyer and an orator. He was presidential elector on the Cleveland and Hendricks ticket in 1884, and was