Robert Rees King Sr. (1893 - 1952)

Born 21 Dec 1893 in Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana, United States

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 20 Nov 1952 at age 58 in Pomona, Los Angeles, California, United States

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Biography

Robert Rees King was born 21 December 1893 in Indianapolis, Indiana.^[1] He spent his formative years with his family and siblings in Indianapolis: father, William F. King; mother, Ella; and siblings Grace, Berry, Lillie Pearl, Dale, Mamie, Russell and Lucy.^[2][3]

On 9 June 1914, Robert was married to Bessie Margaret Easterday, the daughter of Joseph W. Easterday and Emma Ross.^[4]

Dorothy King Lynn, Robert and Bess's youngest daughter, recalled how the family moved to the great Golden State:^[5] "We came in the summer of 1927. It was while we were there in Monrovia, then, that Marge got scarlet fever, and Dad lived in the garage that month. I chose to stay in the house with Mother and Marge. The school sent work for us to do, so that Mother kept us up on our school work."

"We were in Monrovia about a year. Incidentally, if you ever go there, we lived at 251 North Ivy. Then Dad got a job as office manager of Stockwell & Binney, a stationery store in San Bernardino, not Pomona. We were there for 2 1/2 years, renting homes in 2 locations in San Bernardino. By the way, it was Uncle Dale and family with whom we stayed for several weeks while Dad looked for a job. They lived in Fullerton.

"It was about the middle of the fall semester of the school year when we moved to San Dinas because Dad got the job of office manager of the San Dimas Orange Growers Association. Incidentally, Dad recommended Mother's younger brother, Uncle Bud (Albert Russell Easterday) to take his place at Stockwell and Binney, & they hired him. So Uncle bud, Aunt Dixie, and Dixie Lee (between Marge's & my ages) came from Indianapolis to San Bernardino, where they stayed for many, many years."

"Dad did do a lot of income tax returns for various people, all in addition to his regular jobs."

"Dad had a great sense of humor--made lots of puns. He & Mother not only played cards with us kids, but they even got down on the floor & played jacks with us kids."

"Brother Bob was born when we lived in Monrovia, in February of 1928. He was born at home in the middle of the night--after midnight; so he was a little late to be a valentine. The doctor came to the house for the delivery. I went to sleep hearing my Mother's moans. I can still remember my delight in the morning when I saw my baby brother. I could hardly wait to tell my teacher about him. Talk about something to share!

"Mother & Dad never did buy a house after we moved to California--just rented various places until we kids were grown. Then they bought in Pomona. Later they built their dream house in Ganeslia Hills in Pomona. But they weren't there too long when Dad had the heart attack & died instantly."

Robert's eldest daughter Marjorie recalled that her father was a fun-loving, jovial person who enjoyed being around people. He was also enthusiastic about playing games and the whole family enjoyed many pleasant evenings together playing cards.

The tradition was that he wouldn't quit until he was winning. Bob was civic minded and was involved in his church.

Bob was one of the local businessmen who encouraged Richard Nixon to run for Congress soon after the end of WWII. When Bob passed away, VicePresident Nixon sent a condolence note to Bess. He died relatively young the weekend before Thanksgiving at the age of 58.

After his death, Bess worked as dorm mother for the University of Redlands for several years. In her later years, she lived with her son Robert, Jr. and his family in San Diego. She passed away at the age of 90.

Death Claims Robert King^[6]

Robert R. King, widely known water company executive and lay leader in the Baptist church, passed away suddenly Thursday evening at 10:15 o'clock at his home at 866 Hillcrest drive. Death was believed due to a heart attack.^[7]

He was born December 21, 1893, in Indianapolis, Ind.,^[8] and resided in Pomona valley for many years, making his home in San Dimas and Pomona. For a number of years he was associated with San Dimas Water company.

At the time of his death he was secretary and office manager of the West End Consolidated Water company in Upland, Lemon Heights Water company, Mt. View Water company, and Upland Water company. Mr. King was an active member of the First Baptist church, serving on various committees and board groups and acting as a leader in Sunday school activities. for the past three years he was financial secretary and trustee of the church.

Besides his wife, Mrs. Bessie M. King, of the family home, he is survived by a son, Lieutenant Junior Grade Robert R. King Jr., a Navy fighter pilot; two daughters, Mrs. Dorothy J. Lynn of Inglewood, and Mrs. Marjorie J. Garrison of Pasadena.

Research Notes

Original details:
Census Details

Residence

Residence:

Date: 1910

Place: Indianapolis Ward 2, Marion Co., Indiana^[9]

Residence:

Date: 1900

Place: Indianapolis City, Marion Co., Indiana^[10]

Sources

1. ↑ "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6DN-CTQ : 13 March 2018), Robert Rees King, 1917-1918; citing Chicago City no 62, Illinois, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,613,748.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9MQ-PCR : accessed 6 May 2019), Robert R King in household of William F King, Center Township, Precinct 1 Indianapolis city Ward 4, Marion, Indiana, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 61, sheet 11B, family 243, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,388.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MKPG-51N : accessed 6 May 2019), Robert R King in household of William F King, Indianapolis Ward 2, Marion, Indiana, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 60, sheet 7A, family 161, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 366; FHL microfilm 1,374,379.
4. ↑ "Indiana Marriages, 1780-1992," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XFXW-DJR : 10 March 2018), Robert Rees King and Besie Margaret Easterday, 09 Jun 1914; citing reference 326; FHL microfilm 499,403.
5. ↑ Recollections of Dorothy King Lynn.
6. ↑ Robert Rees King Obituary
7. ↑ Robert died 20 November 1952 in Pomona at the age of 58. California Death Index, 1940-1997; Robert Rees King; male; birth: 21 December 1893; death: 20 November 1952; mother's maiden name: Reeves; father's surname: King.
8. ↑ "United States World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V48B-VX6 : 8 November 2017), Robert Rees King, 1942; citing NARA microfilm publication M1936, M1937, M1939, M1951, M1962, M1964, M1986, M2090, and M2097 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
9. ↑ Source: #S1361277424 Page: Year: 1910; Census Place: Indianapolis Ward 2, Marion, Indiana; Roll: ; Page: ; Enumeration District: ; Image: . Note: http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1910uscenindex&h=193368809&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Note: Data: Text: Birth date: 1894Birth place: IndianaResidence date: 1910Residence place: Indianapolis Ward 2, Marion, Indiana APID: 1,7884::193368809
10. ↑ Source: #S1361274850 Page: Year: 1900; Census Place: Indianapolis, Marion, Indiana; Roll: T623_388; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 61. Note: http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1900usfedcen&h=3994964&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt Note: Data: Text: Birth date: Dec 1893Birth place: IndianaResidence date: 1900Residence place: Indianapolis City, Marion, Indiana APID: 1,7602::3994964

Acknowledgements

• WikiTree profile King-3730 created through the import of Dunkin Family Tree.ged on Nov 13, 2011 by Melanie Dunkin.