John Robbins (congressman)
John Robbins | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1808 Bustleton, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | 1880-04-27 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, politician |
| Years active | 1836–1880 |
| Known for | U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania, president of Kensington National Bank |
John Robbins (1808 – April 27, 1880) was a prominent American businessman and politician affiliated with the Democratic Party. He represented Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving three different districts: the 4th (1849–1853), the 3rd (1853–1855), and the 5th (1875–1877).
Early life and education
Robbins was born in Bustleton, Pennsylvania and spent his early years working on his family’s farm. His formal education took place at Gunmere Academy located in Burlington, New Jersey.
Business career
In 1836, Robbins moved to Philadelphia where he became involved in steel manufacturing. Beyond industry, he played a significant role in finance as a director and later president (1863–1864) of the Kensington National Bank, actively participating in banking developments amid the region’s industrial expansion.
Political career
Robbins contributed to local governance through positions such as member of the school board and president of the Kensington district’s board of commissioners.
As a Democrat, he was elected to serve in the Thirty-first and Thirty-second Congresses for Pennsylvania’s fourth district from 1849 until 1853, then served in the Thirty-third Congress representing the third district between 1853 and 1855. Notably, he supported the Fugitive Slave Act in 1850. He chose not to seek renomination in 1854 and was an unsuccessful candidate for Philadelphia mayor in 1860.
His public service extended to roles including inspector at Moyamensing Prison, Guardian of the Poor at Blockley Almshouse, Director of Girard College, and manager of various correctional facilities.
Robbins returned to the House for the Forty-fourth Congress representing Pennsylvania’s fifth district from 1875 to 1877 but again opted against running for another term.
He passed away in Philadelphia on April 27, 1880, and was laid to rest at Laurel Hill Cemetery.
External links
- 1808 births
- 1880 deaths
- 19th-century American businesspeople
- American bankers
- American steel industry businesspeople
- Burials at Laurel Hill Cemetery (Philadelphia)
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania
- Politicians from Philadelphia
- School board members in Pennsylvania
- 19th-century members of the United States House of Representatives