The
Nicholas Robbins Family
KINGMAN N. ROBINS
KINGMAN N. ROBINS (Biographical data abstracted from family records and the National Cyclopedia of American Biography, Vol. 22) Re: The Nicholas Robbins Family, No. 7.173.2
Kingman Nott Robins, son of Henry Ephraim Robins and Cornelia E. Nott, was born at Waterville, Maine on 7 Sep 1881. His father was a Baptist clergyman and educator and at the time of Kingman's birth was nearing completion of an eight year term as President of Colby College. The next year the family removed to Rochester, New York, where Kingman's father joined the faculty of the Rochester Theological Seminary. Kingman received his primary education in Rochester schools, college preparation at Worcester Academy prior to enrollment at Harvard, where he graduated with an A.B. in 1904.
Kingman spent his entire career as an economist and investment banker. He developed a particular expertise in farm mortgage banking. In 1908 he founded and served as first president of Associated Mortgage Investors, Inc., which soon expanded its operations throughout the United States and Canada and enjoyed much success under Kingman's leadership. Kingman was a frequent contributor of articles on economic and financial subjects to various periodicals and in 1916
he authored The Farm Mortgage Handbook, a highly regarded textbook on the topic.
On 22 Apr 1913 Kingman married Elizabeth Adams Sibley, daughter of Rufus Sibley and Elizabeth Conkey. Elizabeth was born in Rochester on 4 Apr 1889. Her father was a prominent local merchant and the founder of Sibley's Department Store. Following their marriage, Elizabeth and Kingman took up residence in Rochester's East Avenue District in a Tudor-style mansion supplied to them by Rufus as a wedding gift.
In addition to his many business enterprises, Kingman contributed much time and effort to Rochester civic, educational and religious organizations. At one time or another, he served as a director for the Chamber of Commerce and the Highland Hospital, as a trustee of the YMCA and the Reynolds Library, as treasurer of the University of Rochester and as vestryman for St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Kingman died unexpectedly on 5 Feb 1923 in his 42nd year. Summarizing his life and character, one biographer noted that…"In his comparatively brief, yet brilliant and fruitful career, Mr. Robins made a distinct and lasting contribution to the farm mortgage business, to economic education through his writings, and to the civic, religious and social life of the community by his compelling example, his high ideals, his quick and generous sympathy and his unusual gift for friendship." Kingman and Elizabeth had no children. She later married Edwin Stebbins. She died in 1954.
Submitted by Lawrence G. Robbins, July, 2008. Mr. Robbins may be contacted by email at boprobbins@yahoo.com.