History of Goldsboro, (Wayne County) North Carolina United States of America

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Biographies:

Gaston Ahi Robbins, representative, was born in Goldsboro, N.C., Sept. 26, 1858; son of Julius Alexander and Amanda (Alford) Robbins; grandson of Ahi and Mary (Brown) Robbins, 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 Mount Sterling, Ky., July 9, 1864, 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 admitted to the bar in 1880, and practiced in Selma, Ala., where he won recognition as a lawyer and an orator. He was presidential elector on the Cleveland and Hendricks ticket in 1884, and was a representative from the fourth district of Alabama in the 53d and 54th congresses, 1893?97. During his first term in congress, he presented a bill reducing the tax on cotton mill machinery, which was enacted as a law. He was not a candidate for re-election. He was married, Oct. 29, 1890, to Ira, daughter of John B. Alexander of Dallas county, Ala. His bride died, Nov. 17, 1890. He went to New York city in 1901, and engaged in the practice of law. He died in the fire that occurred in the Park Avenue hotel, Feb. 22, 1902.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Curtis Hooks Brogden, governor of North Carolina, was born in Goldsboro, Wayne county, N. C., Dec. 6, 1816. In early life he followed the occupation of farming, and attained to the rank of major-general in the state militia, at the same time becoming prominent in political life. From 1838 to 1856 he sat in the state legislature, successively in the lower and upper houses, and from 1857 to 1867 filled the office of comptroller of the state; and in 1868 was again elected to the state senate, and also served as presidential elector. In 1870 he was re-elected to the state senate, and in 1869 was appointed collector of internal revenue. In 1872 he was elected lieutenant governor, becoming governor, July 14, 1874, upon the death of Governor Caldwell. He was elected a representative to the 45th Congress in 1876 on the Republican ticket, and in 1886 was again elected to the state legislature. He was a trustee of the State university, a state director of the Wilmington and Weldon railroad, and represented his state at the centennial celebration at Philadelphia in 1876. He died in Golds-borough, N.C., Jan. 5, 1901.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor