Amber E. Robinson

Amber E. Robinson (née, Ketchum; 1867–1961) was an American educator, postmaster, poet, reporter, and social reformer. She advocated for women's suffrage and was active in the temperance movement. She taught school from the age of 16, and was as well known as a lecturer and in the press columns as she was in the school room. In her day, she was influential in the State of Maine.^[1]

Early life and education

Amber Elizabeth Ketchum, only daughter of John Franklin and Lenora Parker (Foote) Ketchum, was born in Bridgewater, Maine, on February 14, 1867.^[2] Her mother was a near relative of Commodore Foote.^[1]

She was a granddaughter of Joseph Ketchum, one of the earliest settlers of Bridgewater, Maine, his son James being the first European child born in the town where Joseph Ketchum settled in this then uninhabited village of Aroostook County, Maine. He cut the first timber on the Presteel, and when he had done a little clearing, he sewed the first wheat ever seen in Bridgewater. He built a public inn at Bridgewater and was its proprietor, the only house of public entertainment between Houlton and Presque Isle, Maine.^[1]

The Ketchums came originally from France. Joseph Ketchum (1799-1876) was born in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. He married Elizabeth Foye (1804-1864). They were the parents of ten children: Adolphus, Salome, Samuel, Mary, Ann, James, Harriet, John Franklin, Jarvis, and Edward.^[1]

John Franklin Ketchum (1836-1915), son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Foye) Ketchum, was born in Bridgewater, Maine. He enlisted in the Union Army from Maine, on December 8, 1864, and served until the Civil War closed, his regiment a part of the army commanded by General Sherman. He was a farmer of Bridgewater and a lifelong Democrat. He married (second) on July 30, 1863, Lenora Parker Foote (b. 1847). Children: Emma Ida (b. 1857), a daughter by his first wife; Amber Elizabeth (married surname, Robinson); Leslie Mount (b. 1875). John and Lenora Ketchum were members of the Baptist church.^[1]

Amber attended the public schools of Bridgewater and Blaine, Maine.^[1]

Career

Beginning at the age of 16, Robinson taught for 42 years. Her total career spanned 52 years and included providing services as the postmaster of her city.^[3]

A strong, forcible writer,^[1] Robinson was a reporter for various newspapers in Maine, including the Bangor Daily News and Presque Isle Star Herald. She was the author of a volume of poems. Her poetry also appeared in the Chicago-based Christian Scientist and the periodical press generally.^[2]

She was an interesting, fluent speaker, in demand on public occasions who spoke on educational and religious subjects.^[4]

Robinson was an advocate of women's suffrage.^[1] She was an active worker of the Maine State Woman's Christian Temperance Union.^[5]

Personal life

At Blaine, on September 22, 1883, she married William Ellsworth Robinson (b. 1862). They were the parents of: Oscar Burton (b. 1884), and Clinton Burleigh (b. 1866).^[1]

In politics, she was a Republican. In religious preferences, she was a Unitarian. She was a member of the O. E. S. Rebekahs.^[4][1]

In later life, she lived with a son in Torrance, California. Amber E. Robinson died in Los Angeles County, California, in February 1961.^[6]

References