Andrew W. Robb and Family

The Robb family helped establish the town of Muskogee. Andrew W. Robb was the patriarch. A Pennsylvanian by birth, Andrew was living in Kansas when the Civil War began. By the war's end, he worked as a first lieutenant in Company F, Third Indian Home Guard.

Before his discharge, A. W. went to Bates County, Missouri, and married Martha Requa. He brought his wife after the war's end to Fort Gibson, where he served as a quartermaster. His war credentials enabled him to begin working as a government freighter. In this capacity, he hauled the first supplies to Fort Sill.

After three years, he moved to Baxter Springs, Kansas, where he opened a grocery business. Within two years, he was ready to move again.

The establishment of a post office in Muskogee by the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad prompted the growing Robb family to relocate. By 1871, two daughters and a son (Mary, John and Katherine) brought greater responsibilities to A. W. He looked to the creation of a town as providing a better future.

Arriving in Muskogee, the Robb's constructed the community's first house. At that time, there were railroad boxcars being used as a hotel.

A. W. built his home on a lot that later became the northeast corner of North Third and Broadway. This lot would ultimately sell for $70,000 for the construction of the Flynn-Ames building in 1909.

Andrew and his wife, Martha, welcomed the birth of their fourth child in this home. Jessie's birth on December 13, 1872, marked the first birth of a white child in Muskogee. Alice Robertson was Jessie's godmother. Later, fruit trees and roses decorated the property.

Robb opened a mercantile business in another frame building closer to the railroad tracks. Operating under the name of Atkinson and Co., Robb sold a little bit of everything needed by the community. For several years, it was the only hardware business in town.

Robb helped to establish the First Presbyterian Church. Organized April 18, 1875, it was the first church built in Muskogee. Mr. and Mrs. Robb joined by profession of faith immediately. A. W. later taught Sunday School classes and served as a Ruling Elder. He remained active in church affairs throughout his life.

Mr. Robb sold his share of his partnership in 1875 and went to work with James Patterson. The following year, he purchased a partnership in the firm that became Patterson and Robb. For over a decade their business provided first class merchandise to the buying public.

Then the partners suffered a total loss valued at $40,000 in a fire in 1887. A two-story brick building replaced their former burnt wooden structure. The new building became noteworthy for two reasons. First, the partners divided their merchandise into categories, thereby becoming Muskogee's first department store.

About the same time, the partners also hired a woman to work in their store. She was a novelty for a while because no other business in town had a woman working in such a public occupation.

There will be more about the Robb family in a future column.