Robert Donaldson Thorburn1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 15876, (1879 - 1947)
FatherMiles K. Thorburn7,8,6 (6 Oct 1855 - 19 Feb 1909)
MotherLucy Carrington4,5,6 (15 Sep 1857 - 16 Feb 1931)

Key Events:

Birth: 10 Jun 1879, Dallas, Texas9,10,11
Marriage: 20 Jun 1905, Church of the Good Shepherd, Wichita Falls, Texas, Greta Cobb (7 Jan 1875 - 3 May 1945)12,13,14
Death: 14 Sep 1947, Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas15,16
Burial: 16 Sep 1947, Riverside Cemetery, Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas17,18

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Robert Donaldson Thorburn was born on 10 Jun 1879 in Dallas, Texas.9,10,11
     He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas, in the household of his parents, Miles K. Thorburn and Lucy Carrington.7 He appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas, in the household of his parents.8
     Robert married Greta Cobb, daughter of Maj. Robert H. Cobb and Sarah Virginia Walker, on 20 Jun 1905 in Church of the Good Shepherd, Wichita Falls, Texas, with the Rev. Edwin Wickens of Dallas officiating.12,13,14
     Robert and Greta moved to Houston by 1910. They appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Houston, Harris Co., Texas, at 2914 Hamilton St., enumerated 15 Apr 1910, with her parents listed as living with them.19
     He was a commercial traveler (salesman) in the tobacco and cigars business in 1910, and in the brush manufacturing business by 1920, becoming president of the company.20,21,22
     Robert and Greta moved to Dallas by 1918. Robert registered for the draft for World War I on 9 Sep 1918, while living at 3819 Rawlins St., Dallas, Texas, reporting he was self-employed by Brom Manufacturing in Dallas.2
     Robert and Greta appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Dallas, Dallas Co., Texas, at 3819 Rawlins St., enumerated 9 Jan 1920, reporting they owned their home, which was mortgaged. Also listed as living with them were his mother, Lucy; John T. Carrington, a broom maker, listed as a lodger but apparently a relative of his mother; and Edna Mosely, a servant.23
     Robert and Greta appeared on the 1930 Federal Census of Highland Park, Dallas Co., Texas, at 3604 Dartmouth Ave., enumerated 7 Apr 1930, reporting that they owned a home valued at $12,000, and had a radio. His mother was listed as living with them.24
     Robert and Greta returned to her hometown, Wichita Falls, by 1935. They appeared on the 1940 Federal Census of Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas, in the household of her brother Percy and Greta, reporting they had all lived in the same house in 1935.25
     By 1940 he was in the fruit trucking business. That year he reported he had worked 72 hours the last week of March, and 52 weeks prior year. He was later a manager of Valley Products Company.26,6
     Robert registered for the draft for World War II on 27 Apr 1942, while living at 2110 10th St., Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas, reporting he was employed independently, as president of Valley Products Co. of Wichita Falls.27
     His wife died on 3 May 1945 in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas.28,16
     Robert died on 14 Sep 1947 in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas, at age 68.15,16 He was buried on 16 Sep 1947 in Riverside Cemetery, Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas.17,18

Children:
     There were no children with Greta Cobb

Citations

  1. [S3371] "Thorburn-Cobb Wedding," The Dallas Morning News, 21 Jun 1905, shows name as Robert Donaldson Thorburn.
  2. [S8663] Robert Donaldson Thorburn, World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.
  3. [S949] Cobb - Thorburn tombstone, Riverside Cemetery, shows name as Robert D. Thorburn.
  4. [S5352] M. K. Therburn household, 1880 U.S. Census, Dallas Co., Texas, shows him as the son of her husband.
  5. [S3101] Miles Thoburn household, 1900 U.S. Census, Dallas Co., Texas, shows the child as son of Lucy's husband.
  6. [S8662] Robert Thornburn, Standard Certificate of Death.
  7. [S5352] M. K. Therburn household, 1880 U.S. Census, Dallas Co., Texas.
  8. [S3101] Miles Thoburn household, 1900 U.S. Census, Dallas Co., Texas.
  9. [S5352] M. K. Therburn household, 1880 U.S. Census, Dallas Co., Texas, shows age 1 and state.
  10. [S3101] Miles Thoburn household, 1900 U.S. Census, Dallas Co., Texas, shows month, year, age 30 (overwritten), and state.
  11. [S8664] Robert Donaldson Thorburn, World War II Draft Cards (4th Registration) for the State of Texas, shows date, city, and state.
  12. [S3371] "Thorburn-Cobb Wedding," The Dallas Morning News, 21 Jun 1905, shows married "yesterday," church, city, and officant.
  13. [S950] R. D. Thorburn household, 1910 U.S. Census, Harris Co., Texas, shows married, 4 years.
  14. [S949] Cobb - Thorburn tombstone, Riverside Cemetery, shows them together on the same stone.
  15. [S8662] Robert Thornburn, Standard Certificate of Death, shows date, city, county, and state.
  16. [S949] Cobb - Thorburn tombstone, Riverside Cemetery, shows date.
  17. [S8662] Robert Thornburn, Standard Certificate of Death, shows date and cemetery.
  18. [S949] Cobb - Thorburn tombstone, Riverside Cemetery.
  19. [S950] R. D. Thorburn household, 1910 U.S. Census, Harris Co., Texas.
  20. [S950] R. D. Thorburn household, 1910 U.S. Census, Harris Co., Texas, shows occupation as com. traveler, industry as tob. & cigars.
  21. [S3099] Robert D. Thorburn household, 1920 U.S. Census, Dallas Co., Texas, shows occupation as manufacturer [??], and industry as brush.
  22. [S3100] Robert D. Thorburn household, 1930 U.S. Census, Dallas Co., Texas, shows occupation as president, industry as manufacturing.
  23. [S3099] Robert D. Thorburn household, 1920 U.S. Census, Dallas Co., Texas.
  24. [S3100] Robert D. Thorburn household, 1930 U.S. Census, Dallas Co., Texas.
  25. [S5351] Percy Cobb household, 1940 U.S. Census, Wichita Co., Texas.
  26. [S5351] Percy Cobb household, 1940 U.S. Census, Wichita Co., Texas, shows occupation as fruit trucking, industry as fruit trucking.
  27. [S8664] Robert Donaldson Thorburn, World War II Draft Cards (4th Registration) for the State of Texas.
  28. [S3012] Gretta Cobb Thorburn, Certificate of Death, shows date, city, county, and state.