Source: Archives.org
"Biography is the home aspect of history"
Biographical Review
Lake Family
Avid Robbins Lake, a retired merchant and a fruit grower of Port Norris, was born in the village in which he now lives on the 31st of December, 1859. His parents were Samuel and Mary (Robbins) Lake, the former of whom was also a native of Port Norris, where he was born on September 3, 1826, and where he grew up.
Samuel Lake must have possessed the force of authority as a sort of inherent faculty; for he was the captain of an oyster vessel when he was not more than fifteen or sixteen years old, beginning his career as a boatman before that time even. He was recognized as the most youthful commander in the service in that part of the country, and at an unusually early age became an oyster dealer. This was before oyster planting had become a regular industry, and the young man had but little competition to encounter. In a comparatively short time he was the owner of three schooners and one sloop, all devoted to the oyster industry; and he eventually became the largest dealer in that most popular species of shell-fish in his generation and locality. He continued in this business until five or six years before his death, giving his personal attention to the enterprise, frequently visiting his boats and looking after his men. He always lived in Port Norris with the exception of three years passed in Bridgeton, while his children were at school.
Mr. Samuel Lake was first a Whig in politics and later on a Republican. Besides his oyster beds he owned quite a large amount of land in the vicinity of Port Norris, and was a man of wealth. He married Miss Mary Robbins, a daughter of Mr. David Robbins, a large farmer in this locality, whose name has descended to the subject of the present sketch, his grandson. Mrs. Lake, who was born in February, 1833, was the mother of four children, three of whom grew up to maturity: Daniel, who lived to the age of seventeen; Myra, who is now the wife of Theophilus Newcomb, a resident of Newport; David Robbins; Robert L.The parents have departed this life.
These good old people were at first members of the Baptist Church at Dividing Creek; but, when the Baptist church was established in the old school-house at Robbinstown, they were among its primary organizers.’ Mr. Samuel Lake was an earnest and active supporter of the Baptist denomination in this locality; and it was greatly due to his efforts that the church structure, now occupied by the congregation to which he belongs, was built. Such was his interest in the success of the deserving attempt to establish a church here that he circulated the subscription papers in and about Bridgeton, and received donations amounting to one thousand dollars, which was a great help, coming as it did from outside generosity. It was, however, hardly generosity so much as recognition, as he had for years, while he was in the oyster business, furnished the Bridgeton church fairs with his oysters free of charge; and now the grateful congregations returned his kindness with their hearty support, financial as well as otherwise, for his new church. Mr. Samuel Lake was at the time of his death one of the most highly respected and honored citizens of the place, not only because of his wisely and justly accumulated wealth, hut also for his sterling integrity and general earnestness of character.
David Robbins Lake, son of Samuel, received his early education in the common schools of Port Norris. Then he went with his parents to Bridgcton and attended the high school, thus completing his school education.
After leaving the high school he went into the oyster industry with his father. With the sturdiness ami pertinacity of character that early developed themselves in this young man, he started at the very bottom of the ladder to learn the business, in order to get a thorough hold of it. He continued in the oyster business with his father until 1883, when, at the age of twenty-four, he married Miss Abigail Hand. About that time he built a store on the corner of Market and Main Streets in the town of Port Norris. Here he intended to do business personally; but, owing to the poor health of his wife, he took her to Colorado, and they spent the winter in the vicinity of Denver and at Pueblo. They returned here in the spring of 1886, when she died, leaving no children. Mr. Lake sold out his store in Port Norris, and during the three years of his widowerhood was engaged in the oyster business again. After this period he returned to his old interest in the grocery trade, and went into his old store, where he continued successfully engaged for over four years. In December, 1894, he sold out his interests in his grocery business, as the indoor lite did not agree with his health. Being the owner of a very good tract of land amounting to about seventy acres, in and adjoining the town, he decided to cultivate a part of it especially for fruit-growing purposes: and he accordingly set out a large number of peach-trees and plum-trees, and devoted quite an acreage to the culture of blackberries and strawberries.
Although very much taken up with this cultivation of fruit, which he carried on so well, he still retained an interest in the work of raising and selling oysters for the city markets, a part of which business he conducts for his father-in-law, Aaron Campbell, of Port Norris. In fact, the oyster business in the season takes up the most of his time.
In June, 1889, Mr. Lake married for his second wife Miss Carrie Campbell, the daughter of Aaron Campbell. Mrs. Lake was born in Newport, where she lived until her father removed to Port Norris. Mr. Campbell is an extensive oyster dealer here. He came from one of the most prominent families in the vicinity. Mr. and Mrs. Lake have two little daughters — Mary H. and Myrta.
A sturdy Republican voter and more or less interested in politics, Mr. Lake has never been an active worker in the party ranks. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias and oi the Red Men, but spends more of his time at home than at the lodge. He and his family occupy the house which he built on the corner of Main and Market Streets, opposite the site of his old store. It is of very pleasing architectural design, is supplied with running water and all modern conveniences, and situated in the midst of a well kept lawn, all together one of the finest residences in Port Norris.
If you have more information to share, or photographs, please send us a email.
pnhs@historicportnorris.org