The History of Hendricks County (Chicago: Interstate Publishing, 1885)--Marion Township, pages 691-692
William Robbins, M.D., was born Jan. 16, 1843, in Marion Township, Hendricks Co., Ind. His parents, John and Lydia (Parsons) Robbins, were among the pioneer settlers of this township. He lived at home till his enlistment, Aug. 16, 1861, in Company B, Seventh Indiana Infantry. He was wounded in the first battle of Bull Run, on account of which he was discharged, and returned home. Regaining his strength he again went into the service and was commissioned Second Lieutenant of Company I, Ninth Indiana Infantry. He was in the Army of the Cumberland, and in March, 1863, he was promoted to Captain of his company. In the retreat of General Hood after Nashville his regiment did gallant service, and also on many other occasions. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war and returned home. He was married while home on furlough, Jan. 1, 1863, to Marcella Hamrick, her father a resident of Center Township, and her mother deceased. They have had three children-- Charles M., born March 7, 1866; James B., born July 13, 1867, and died Dec. 18, 1874, and Laura J., born April 13, 1869, and died March 10, 1870. Dr. Robbins commenced the study of medicine with Dr. T.J. Adams, of North Salem, in 1871, and in 1872 attended the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, and again attended in 1879, receiving his diploma. He began his practice at Gaynor City, Mo., in 1873, and in 1875 returned to this county and lived on his farm in Eel River Township till 1878. He then located at New Winchester and resumed his medical practice. Politically he is a radical Republican. He and his wife are members of the Christian church. The Doctor is a member of Defiance Lodge, No. 148, I.O.O.F., at Defiance, Mo.