Source: Robbins, Josephine Rebecca (Huff) and Lloyd Ray. Photograph. 1 Jan 1920. Original in the possession of Bryan Robbins [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE,] Colville, Washington. 2008
This lovely young couple is the brother and sister-in-law of my paternal great-grandfather, William Bryan ROBBINS, about whose exploits in Russia in World War I I've written quite frequently. Lloyd was Bryan's older brother, and the oldest child in the family after their eldest brother, Floyd, tragically died of pneumonia (or was it from accidentally eating poisonous mushrooms? the debate rages!). Lloyd also served in the U.S. Army during WWI, in the 32nd ("Red Arrow") Division; unlike Bryan, he served in the trenches in France. When the war was over and everyone finally came home, there were two weddings in one week for the Robbins family to celebrate: my great-grandparents (Bryan and his sweetheart, Marie LEWIS) were married Christmas Day 1919, and Lloyd and Josephine were married New Years Day 1920.
Lloyd was 25 and Jo was 21 on their wedding day, which took place in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan, although they first lived in Muskegon Heights, Muskegon County, where Lloyd continued his carpenter work. By 1930, they lived in Paris Township in Kent County. The Depression did not seem to be hurting them any, as they lived in a fine house, worth $3500, at 320 Montrose Street. Lloyd was working in the construction industry, still as a carpenter.
This couple never had any children of their own. Perhaps to keep herself occupied, Jo began to research her Huff family tree, as well as Lloyd's. She was the first Robbins Family Researcher in our family, and I'm proud to carry on her research. She was also an active member of the Western Michigan Genealogical Society, of which I am a past member.
Lloyd and Jo were married for 58 years before he passed away in 1978 at the age of 83. Jo lived another nine years. They are buried in Plainfield Township Cemetery in Kent County, Michigan.
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