Alden Webster Skinner (1852 - 1931)

Born 13 Oct 1852 in Stoughton, Norfolk, Massachusetts

Ancestors

Husband of Ellen A. (Skinner) Blake — married 15 Jun 1873 (to about 1891) in Stoughton, Massachusetts

Died 25 Mar 1931 at age 78 in San Diego, California

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This profile is part of the Skinner Name Study.

Biography

Alden was the son of Milton and Ruhamah (Billings) Skinner, born 13 October 1852 in Stoughton, Massachusetts. ^[1]

He was married three times and divorced twice: Ellen A. Skinner, his first cousin, was his first wife, married in 1873. With Ellen, Alden had a son, his only child, Massena Webster Skinner. After his divorce from Ellen, Alden married Phebee Malvina Sybil "Sibbie" Calder, a divorcee, in 1896 in Philadelphia. She died without issue in 1914, and two years later, in 1916, Alden married Eleanor Agnes Taylor, a divorcee with two children, Durward and Eleanor by her first husband, Louis Lauer. Eleanor and Alden divorced eight years later.

"Married, In Milton, 15th, by Rev. A. K. Teele, Alden W. Skinner, of Stoughton and MIss Ellen A. Skinner, of Bakersfield, Vermont." ^[2] Their marriage lasted 18 years until their divorce in 1891.

"Judge Changed His Mind. Evidence in One Divorce Case Affects the Decision in Another."

"Brockton, March 19, 1891. In the superior court, yesterday, in the case of White vs. White, wherein the husband asks for a divorce for alleged adultery, evidence was introduced involving several well known residents of this city."

"The testimony offered caused Judge Braley to set aside his decision in the Skinner vs. Skinner case. This latter case was heard last week, and the court ordered a decree to Alden W. Skinner because of desertion on his wife's part. The testimony in the White case went to show that the White woman called on Skinner at his rooms. When the White case was disposed of, and a decree refused, Judge Braley ordered that the decree in the Skinner case be vacated. Skinner is a letter carrier."^[3]

While he lived in the Boston area, Alden operated a boot and shoe shop in Stoughton. In 1891, at the time of his divorce from Ellen, he was working as a letter carrier in Brockton, Massachusetts.

In 1896, Alden married a divorcee, Sibbie Calder Cushman. Apparently Sibbie was wealthy. Soon after their marriage, the couple moved to the Los Angeles area, where Alden became involved in the banking industry. While in Los Angeles, he was also on the board of the local chamber of commerce.

In June, 1905, Alden was among the 300 citizens of Los Angeles to visit Salt Lake City on a special exchange between the two cities. "Secretary Frank Wiggins telegraphed Alden W. Skinner from Portland to be especially careful of his 'boys,' and watch them while in the land of numerous wives. Skinner says this added duty will be so arduous that he will miss many enjoyments he had counted upon experiencing on the trip." Also, "Alden W. Skinner, the happy man always, replied to a question as to whether he was going by almost sobbing the words: 'Yes, but I can hardly bring myself to consent to leaving dear old Los Angeles for a week,' But how the party would get along without him is hard to understand.^[4]

In 1910, Alden and his second wife, Sebbie, traveled to Switzerland, "Americans are finding their way to the charming resorts of Unspunnen and Wilderswill, just outside of Interlake ... among those who have already arrived ... Mrs. and Mrs. Alden W. Skinner, Los Angeles." ^[5]

Apparently, his marriage to Eleanor Agnes Taylor did not go well:

"Seeks Divorce from Aged Hubby"

"Declaring that at the time of the marriage, in 1916, she was only 24 years old, while Alden W> Skinner was 64, Mrs. Eleanor Agnes Skinner today filed suit for divorce on general grounds of extreme mental and physical cruelty, the charges including the allegation that the husband was wealthy, but penurious."

"Mrs. Skinner declares that not only was the defendant miserly with her personal accounts to the last penny, but that he had an income of $4,000 a year. Insane jealousy on Skinner's part is also made part of the petition for separation. The wife does not make any formal request for alimony or for division of the community property. " ^[6]

Obituary

Will Hold Rites for A. W. Skinner

"Funeral services for Alden W. Skinner, Los Angeles banker and world traveler who died Thursday at the Scripps Memorial hospital in La Jolla, will be held at 1:30 this afternoon at the Bonham Brothers' mortuary. Skinner was 78 years old."

"He is survived by his son, M. Webster Skinner of 4130 Voltaire street, Ocean Beach. Skinner went to Los Angeles from Boston in 1897 and almost immediately became associated with the American national bank there. This bank later merged with the Citizens' national Trust and Savings bank, of which Skinner became a director. Until he retired 10 years ago, he was constantly engaged in the banking business, and was also active in the Los Angeles chamber of commerce."^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ Massachusetts, Birth Records, 1840-1915, Alden Webster Skinner, born 13 October 1852, at Stoughton, MA, father Milton D. Skinner and mother Ruhamah Skinner.
2. ↑ Stoughton Sentinel, Saturday, June 28, 1873, page 8.
3. ↑ Boston Herald, Friday, March 20, 1891, Boston, MA, page 10.
4. ↑ Los Angeles Daily Herald, Sunday, June 11, 1905, Los Angeles, CA, page 5.
5. ↑ Philadelphia Inquirer, Sunday, July 10, 1910, Philadelphia, PA< page 2.
6. ↑ Evening Tribune, Monday, February 18, 1924, San Diego, CA page 21.
7. ↑ Obituary: San Diego Union, Saturday, March 28, 1931, San Diego, CA , page 3.