The History of Robb Cemetery and Wilmina Robb Memorial
William Robb came to Nebraska by covered wagon in 1872 settling in the northeast corner of Gosper County. Over the years he built a reputation as owner of Robb Ranch producing Galloway and Angus cattle. When he died he had acquired 22 sections of land and 1000 head of cattle. He did this with his wife Margaret Jane. They had three daughters, Jennie, Susie and Wilmina.
His youngest daughter Wilmina had health problems related to repeated ear infections. In 1911 she and her sister Susie traveled to St. Josephs Hospital in Omaha. Surgery was scheduled to remove an abscess from her ear. Wilmina died on the operating table from what is now believed to be an overdose of chloroform. The fifteen year olds death was a shock to her family and community. Her funeral was held at Robb Ranch on May 10, 1911 and she was buried in what was then known as Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Approximately 4 years after her death her parents began a project that took almost another 4 years to complete. A memorial funeral chapel open to all denominations in her memory.
William Robb purchased one area of land for $30 from Stephen B. Cole in November of 1913 across the road from what is now Robb Cemetery. He contracted an architect, George B. Prinze from Omaha to draft plans. The plans show a gothic style chapel, 30 by 30 feet, approximately 20 feet high with a dome roof. Originally, the building was to be built of concrete but was later changed to red brick that shipped from Omaha. After the four walls were built, construction of the concrete dome room was sub-contracted to H. Varley Gratham of Lexington. The four windows were made of clear, one quarter inch glass that was clear not eh inside but ribbed and obscured on the outside. The glass was formed around chicken wire, for strength and to keep vandals out. Two oversized double doors served as the only entryway and were made of solid wood. There were no locks on the doors until the 1930’s. A decorative stone slab was placed above the door.
Inside, the plans called for seating for 75 with three sections of seating with two aisles leading to the back of the building. Instead of the chairs in the plans, pews were installed with seating for 100. There was a choir loft and room for a piano. The building was never practical. It had terrible acoustics because of the high, domed ceiling. It was always damp and cold inside which caused the plaster to flake. There was only one heater at the back wall and the only ventilation came from the open doors. The estimated cost for building was $4,000 but in reality it cost between 8 and 10 thousand dollars.
Margaret Jane Robb died at the ranch in 1919 and her services was in the chapel. In 1920, William deeded the land to the cemetery association for $1.00 and the cemetery was officially renamed Robb Cemetery in 1921. William died in Chicago in 1924. His remains were returned to Nebraska and his services were int he chapel.
It was believed that the last funeral in the chapel was William’s daughter, Jennie Robb Jeffrey in 1928. She was 47. However, it was deterred there was one more funeral, Mrs. Hansen in the early 1930’s. She had two funerals, one in Eustis and the second at Robb. Over the next 20 years the building fell prey to vandals. The interior was destroyed, the windows were shattered by rocks and bullets and the white plastered walls were defaced with graffiti. Nature was not kind to the chapel either. Around 1948 the chapel doors and windows were sealed with bricks and mortar.
Robb Cemetery has an interesting history as well. Originally called Pleasant Hill, it was renamed Robb Cemetery in 1921. Besides the Robb family there are many other noteworthy names. They include Louisa Freeman, wife of Daniel Freeman, one of the first settlers in Lexington. A longtime Dawson County judge, Merton O. Bates; Robert Gillard, 1797-1889, and the oldest person buried at Robb; and Andrew J. Curtice a civil war veteran who claimed to have family who came over on the Mayflower. Robb Cemetery is an active cemetery. Situated on a hill, overlooking the Platte Valley, Robb Cemetery is a peaceful place where you can hear the birds sing and the wind in the trees.
His youngest daughter Wilmina had health problems related to repeated ear infections. In 1911 she and her sister Susie traveled to St. Josephs Hospital in Omaha. Surgery was scheduled to remove an abscess from her ear. Wilmina died on the operating table from what is now believed to be an overdose of chloroform. The fifteen year olds death was a shock to her family and community. Her funeral was held at Robb Ranch on May 10, 1911 and she was buried in what was then known as Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Approximately 4 years after her death her parents began a project that took almost another 4 years to complete. A memorial funeral chapel open to all denominations in her memory.
William Robb purchased one area of land for $30 from Stephen B. Cole in November of 1913 across the road from what is now Robb Cemetery. He contracted an architect, George B. Prinze from Omaha to draft plans. The plans show a gothic style chapel, 30 by 30 feet, approximately 20 feet high with a dome roof. Originally, the building was to be built of concrete but was later changed to red brick that shipped from Omaha. After the four walls were built, construction of the concrete dome room was sub-contracted to H. Varley Gratham of Lexington. The four windows were made of clear, one quarter inch glass that was clear not eh inside but ribbed and obscured on the outside. The glass was formed around chicken wire, for strength and to keep vandals out. Two oversized double doors served as the only entryway and were made of solid wood. There were no locks on the doors until the 1930’s. A decorative stone slab was placed above the door.
Inside, the plans called for seating for 75 with three sections of seating with two aisles leading to the back of the building. Instead of the chairs in the plans, pews were installed with seating for 100. There was a choir loft and room for a piano. The building was never practical. It had terrible acoustics because of the high, domed ceiling. It was always damp and cold inside which caused the plaster to flake. There was only one heater at the back wall and the only ventilation came from the open doors. The estimated cost for building was $4,000 but in reality it cost between 8 and 10 thousand dollars.
Margaret Jane Robb died at the ranch in 1919 and her services was in the chapel. In 1920, William deeded the land to the cemetery association for $1.00 and the cemetery was officially renamed Robb Cemetery in 1921. William died in Chicago in 1924. His remains were returned to Nebraska and his services were int he chapel.
It was believed that the last funeral in the chapel was William’s daughter, Jennie Robb Jeffrey in 1928. She was 47. However, it was deterred there was one more funeral, Mrs. Hansen in the early 1930’s. She had two funerals, one in Eustis and the second at Robb. Over the next 20 years the building fell prey to vandals. The interior was destroyed, the windows were shattered by rocks and bullets and the white plastered walls were defaced with graffiti. Nature was not kind to the chapel either. Around 1948 the chapel doors and windows were sealed with bricks and mortar.
Robb Cemetery has an interesting history as well. Originally called Pleasant Hill, it was renamed Robb Cemetery in 1921. Besides the Robb family there are many other noteworthy names. They include Louisa Freeman, wife of Daniel Freeman, one of the first settlers in Lexington. A longtime Dawson County judge, Merton O. Bates; Robert Gillard, 1797-1889, and the oldest person buried at Robb; and Andrew J. Curtice a civil war veteran who claimed to have family who came over on the Mayflower. Robb Cemetery is an active cemetery. Situated on a hill, overlooking the Platte Valley, Robb Cemetery is a peaceful place where you can hear the birds sing and the wind in the trees.
