Nelly Robbins Williams

1873-1949

             In the 1890’s, Nelly sculpted a bust of Dr. Lyman of Goshen. One former resident of Goshen recalls, "My home was just across the road from the building. I remember holding the ladder while Miss Nellie climbed onto the roof to wave a red and white tablecloth to summon Dr. Lyman to come for a sitting for the sculpture of him she was making. Dr Lyman’s home was about half a mile to the south. Dr. Lyman was the owner of the home that is known as the Anchorage (current home to the Goshen Historical Society). It is assumed that Dr. Lyman possessed the bust Nelly had sculpted, until his death. The sculpture is currently owned by Donn Heywood of Goshen. (2017)

           Nelly graduated from the Goshen Seminary. She appears in the 1894 Seminary class photo but it is not determined if this is when she graduated.

           In the early 1900’s, Nelly studied at the Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, under Professor Theodor Bohlmann and at the same time attended the Cincinnati Art Academy, under Louis T. Rebisso. While at these schools, Nelly made a full size bust sculpture of her Professor Bohlmann. The sculpture received much praise while on display at the academy. When professor Bohlman visited Berlin, Germany, he took the sculpture to the Royal Academy where it was "given unstinted praise" and was claim as one of the "best they had ever witnessed". The famous Sculptor Lederer, sent Miss Robbins a letter, telling her of the pleasure he had derived from her work and declaring that " it was by far the best specimen of its kind that had ever been sent from America and exhibited in Europe". "Several other pieces of Miss Robbins’s work have received honorable mention at the spring exhibits at the Cincinnati art Academy, and one, a bust of Dr. Daniel S. Lyman, received special recognition". An article printed in "The Cincinnati Commercial Tribune" stated. "She is a young lady of most engaging manners, high social standing, and a prime favorite with all who know her. Her charming ways and happy social qualities make her adored by her many friends. She is exceedingly popular among her acquaintance, both in Clermont County and in the Queen City, where she is well known. Too much cannot be said in her praise and Clermont County is proud to claim her among her many distinguished sons and daughters. On the other hand, Miss Robbins is proud of the fact that she is a native of Clermont County, and a resident of the charming village of Goshen." The "Commercial Tribune" complimented her artistic talent in the following clever manner: "The work of Miss Nelly S. Robbins, a Cincinnati sculptress, artist and musician, has attracted attention and received recognition at the hands of some of the most noted critics of Berlin, conspicuous among whom is Hugo Lederer, the famous sculptor at the Royal Art Academy (History of Brown and Clermont Counties).

         Nelly is listed in "The Artist’s Year Book, 1905-1906". It was the official book of exhibitors at the Universal Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri. It states, "1904- Art- Portrait of Prof. Theodor Bohlmann Plaster Bust".

         On May 8, 1902, Nelly married Boyd T. Williams (Son of Thompson E. Williams and Eleanor Boyd from Wisconsin). They had one child, Christine Elizabeth Williams, born July 9, 1903. In the 1910, Nelly and her young daughter were no longer with Boyd. They were living with her parents, Jasper and Christine. Boyd and Nelly had divorced and Boyd had returned to his family home in St. Croix, Wisconsin. This is where he is buried. She never remarried, and continued to live in the family home on Linton Road.

        The following has been extracted from the 1928, Goshenensis yearbook. "When Sanford L. Turnipseed became Superintendent of the Goshen Schools (1890), he expressed the desire for a special music teacher. Having no funds for that purpose he made arrangements with Nellie (Nelly) Williams to have her teach one day per week, the money for her services was to be obtained by giving three concerts during the year. According to an article written my Mrs. Williams, "The music in our school continued during the years of Superintendence of Mr. Turnipseed and Mr. Fred B. Bishop and after that as part time teaching until our school became centralized and Superintendent (George) Edward Roudebush saw the need for more music. He made arrangements to have lessons taught regularly once each week. Concerts and socials given by the teachers raised funds for books and lessons. Very soon the Mother’s Club (Parent-teachers Organization) was organized and agreed to raise the money. Finally the Board of Education took responsibility of paying for music one day each week from that time on."

       When Frank B. Hoggatt became Superintendent, he saw the need for more musical organization because "he saw the time was soon coming when the State Department would ask ‘what musical organizations have you in your school? ‘ With the directive from Mr. Hoggatt, Nelly Williams was allowed to start Goshen Schools Music program. In 1922, she started Art classes (mechanical drawing, sketching and painting in water color and oil). In 1925, she organized the first school orchestra, and in 1927, Glee club and chorus were organized.

        Nelly Robbins Williams is listed as a Goshen school staff member in 1917 and then again from 1921 until her death in 1949. If we go back to the beginning of her "teaching" at Goshen, her career spans a period from 1890 to 1949, a total of 59 years.

         For all of her art, music and sculpting talents and all of her years of dedication to Music and Art at Goshen Schools, Mrs. Nelly S. Robbins Williams is recognized by The Goshen High School Alumni Association as a member of the 2017 Goshen High School Alumni Hall of Fame.