Durbin Richardson (1882 - 1958)

Born 7 Nov 1882 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Lucille (Coyle) Richardson — married 20 Jun 1923 in Monroe, New York, United States

Died 10 Feb 1958 at age 75 in Rochester, Monroe, New York, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Andrea Taylor [send private message]

Biography

Durbin Richardson' was born in November 7, 1882 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania.^[1] He was a son of William Fairman Richardson and Elizabeth Jane Lawson.^[2]

By 1910 the Richardson family was living in Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota^[3]

Durbin and his cousin Alick Richardson moved to Rochester, Monroe, New York when they were young men and went to work for J. Hungerford Smith Co., manufacturers of soda fountain supplies. Durbin became a salesman.^[4]

Richardson Root Beer

In 1915, Alick left J. Hungerford Smith Co. and formed his own company. Durbin joined him as a sales manager. The basic product of their company was root beer, a formula developed by Charles I. Haskin, who was their chief chemist.^[5] This company was known as Richardson Corporation and it was incorporated by Alick, Durbin and Charles I. Haskin on December 15, 1915.^[6]

Their first product was "Richie Root Beer syrup." For years, it was the company's top selling product. The company also produced other syrups, nuts, and crushed fruit for soda fountains.

Durbin served 30 years as vice president and sales manager of Richardson Corporation before becoming chairman of the board in 1952.^[5]

He was known for the originator of many of the new and novel ideas for soda fountain service at the time.^[7]

Marriage

Durbin married Lucille Coyle on June 20, 1923 in Monroe, New York.^[8][9][10] They had no children.

Durbin lost his use of legs after a spine injury and later became deaf.^[5]

Death

Durbin Richardson died February 10, 1958 in Rochester, New York.^[5] He was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Rochester, Monroe, New York, United States.^[11]

Sources

1. ↑ United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 FamilySearch. Durbin Richardson, 1917-1918; citing Rochester City no 6, New York, United States
2. ↑ United States Census, 1900 [online database] FamilySearch. Durban Richardson in household of Elizabeth Richardson, Precinct 4 Allegheny city Ward 11, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 90, sheet 17B, family 300
3. ↑ United States Census, 1910 [online database] FamilySearch. Durbin Richardson, Minneapolis Ward 8, Hennepin, Minnesota, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 149, sheet 1B, family 448
4. ↑ United States Census, 1920 FamilySearch. Durbin Richardson in household of Alick G Richardson, Rochester Ward 12, Monroe, New York, United States; citing ED 147, sheet 14A, line 26, family 517
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3} Durbin Richardson Dies of Pneumonia in Miami Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York). 11 Feb 1958, Tue. Page 26
6. ↑ Firm Celebrates 50th Year. Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York). 17 Dec 1965, Fri. Page 25.
7. ↑ The Northwestern Druggist: A Progressive Journal for Retail Druggists. United States, n.p, 1924.
8. ↑ New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848; 1908-1936 [online database] FamilySearch. Durbin Richardson, 20 Jun 1923, Monroe, New York, United States.
9. ↑ United States Census, 1930 [online database] FamilySearch. Durbin Richardson, Rochester, Monroe, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 75, sheet 21A, line 23.
10. ↑ United States Census, 1940 [online database] FamilySearch. Durbin Richardson, Rochester, Monroe, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 65-134, sheet 1B, line 65.
11. ↑ Find A Grave memorial page for Durbin Richardson (7 Nov 1882–10 Feb 1958), Find A Grave Memorial no. 71875768, citing Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rochester, Monroe County, New York, USA