RESEARCHING THE CORBINS
"By mid-July 1984, I managed to put together a chronological sequence of Akron City Directory data of Gay, Donna, and the fathers of Donna's children.
Having found sufficient data to have determined that Elmer Corbin had brothers and sisters, I tracked them all through the city directory in order to determine if any of Elmer's siblings - Bosley- and if he had a wife - Bosley- might still be living. The idea was to learn if there was anyone left around to contact.
I had determined that he'd had a brother named Floyd E., whose wife was named Florence. They were listed in the Portage Lakes area of Akron, with a listing in the phone book. I called the number and found myself talking to Florence. While she was sympathetic, she indicated that her husband was unable to entertain visitors. She gave me the number of Elmer's widow, whom she felt would be favorably inclined to discuss Elmer's last years. I had truly hoped to have made contact with Floyd, and tell him he had two nieces whom might like to meet him, but I respected the wishes of his wife, and didn't try to contact them personally.
Again, I discussed my phone call with Abbie, and concluded that the sensible thing to do was to call Elmer's widow, Nellie. I explained my mission to her over the phone and asked for permission for a visit with her. She gave me directions on how to find her apartment in Canton.
Abbie and I drove down and visited with Nellie for a couple of hours, discussing Elmer's last few years, some of the events of Elmer and Donna's marriage, and a little of Nellie's own life. Nellie gave me the addresses she had for Elmer's remaining siblings, and some idea as to their health. We thanked her for her cooperation, and suggested that she might expect to hear from one or both of Elmer's daughters.
As we drove home I had the hollow feeling in my gut that it could have been the widow of my own father that I'd just talked to. I kind of felt out of place, and that it should have been one of my sisters who had just talked to Nellie." [undated entry in the author's research diary]
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3F#4 JESSE WELLINGTON CORBIN...3F#5 ANNA MARGARET SEEMANN
3F#2 Elmer J. Corbin's parents were 3F#4 Jesse Wellington Corbin and 3F#5 Anna Maria Seemann.
Jesse was born on 24 July, 1879. While there is on file in the Summit County courthouse a file card indicating his birth to have been in Coventry Township of Summit County, a daughter has stated that Jesse was born in Wellington, Ohio, "...just like his middle name".
Jesse married 3F#5 Anna Maria Seemann on 26 September, 1910 in Copley Township of Summit County. The wedding was performed by F. William Leach. Anna was born 18 September, 1889 in Berea, Ohio. Jesse died 30 April, 1932, and Anna died 16 October, 1939. Both are interred in Section 12, Lot #42, Mount Peace Cemetery in Akron, Ohio. Both have headstones.
Anna Maria gave birth to daughter Florence Bertha Seemann on 29 June, 1908. Florence's father was Plymouth Roderick, son of Thomas C. Roderick and Eva Ruth Forkawalt.
Anna Maria and Jesse had six children. Including Florence, they were:
3F#4(1.1) Florence Bertha Seemann- b 29 June, 1908. As filed in Summit County Marriage License Application Book no. 50, page 187, she and Jess Lee Newell, son of John Newell and Mary Wright, were issued certificate #53365, and were wed on 4 October, 1926 by D. Hagelskamp, Minister. Jess was born on 24 December, 1903 in Rome, West Virginia. They had a son named Jess Lee Newell, born 12 August, 1927 who m 1.) Gloria Catherine. Jack and Gloria had son Richard. Jack Newell later m 2.) Norma Lee; and m 3.) on 10 July, 1970 to Nancy Jean McCann. Florence later m 2.) Albert Johnson, son of Charles Johnson and Anna Hull, on 23 November, 1934 by Minister Hagelskamp. Albert was born on 8 May, 1904 in Scotsdale, Pennsylvania.
3F#4.1 William Frederick Corbin- b 10 November, 1911, d 20 April, 1983, interred at Greenlawn Cemetery, Uniontown, Ohio- m 29 July, 1934 to Ruth Marie Green, dau of William A. Green and Mamie Rex- b 6 May, 1916; children: 3F#4.1.1 Robert Leroy Corbin- b 9 June, 1935, m 24 May, 1958 to Charlotte Jane McCorkhill; 3F#4.1.2 Barbara June Corbin- b 29 September, 1938, m 19 June, 1960 to Ronald Ray Austin;
3F#4.2 Elmer Jesse Corbin- b 24 February, 1913, d 10 September, 1977, interred at Powhatton Point Cemetery, Powhatton Point, Ohio- m 1.) 13 July, 1939 to Donna Lenora Davis-Stout. Two step-children, Ronald E. Bosley, Dallie A. Vernon (Sr.); two natural children, Patricia Ann Corbin-Hensley-Merrell, Jacqueline Melissa Corbin-Wooten-Soles; m 2.) 29 June, 1946 to Eva L. Caipon-Derring; m 3.) in the late Forties or early Fifties to his now-widowed Nellie Leonard.
3F#4.3 Floyd Earl Corbin- b 29 July, 1914, d 16 December, 1987, interred Greenlawn Cemetery, Uniontown; m to Florence Alberta "Birdie" Human; one adopted son, Gerald Eugene- b 31 December, 1942, d 1982, m 23 July, 1963 to Donna Lee Foutty;
3F#4.4 Virginia Mae Corbin- b 18 December, 1916, m 1.) 10 September, 1933 to Charles Gordon Henderson- b 9 April, 1904, d, interred Manchester, Ohio; children: 3F#4.4.1 Charles Gordon Henderson, Jr.- b 16 October, 1934, m 29 June, 1958 to Virginia Louise Kadunc- b 5 March, 1938; children: 3F#4.4.1(1.1) Randy James Kadunc- b 13 May, 1958, m 1.) November, 1979 to Jeanette Romal; 2.) 1 January, 1984 to Janet Thompson- b 10 February, 1950; children: step-daughter Natalie Thompson- b 4 August, 1976, Randi Nicole (Kadunc) Henderson; 3F#4.4.1.2 Sherry Lynn Henderson- b 19 September, 1959, m 1.) 5 May, 1978 to Nick Hall; m 2.) 5 September, 1987 to Wallace Leo Lackey; 3F#4.4.1.3 Charles Gordon Henderson, III- b 10 May, 1963; 3F#4.4.1.4 Lisa Ann Henderson- b 6 March, 1965; 3F#4.4.2 Donna Carol Henderson- b 15 April, 1937, m 1.) 18 April, 1956 to Richard Mallery, son of Richard Mallery and Elizabeth Hamsher; children: 3F#4.4.2.1 Charles Richard Mallery- m to Donna; 3F#4.4.2.2 Rebecca "Becky" Carol Mallery- m to Larry; m 2.) 26 August, 1966 to Kenneth Leroy Butzer; m 3.) 8 December, 1970 to Cecil Albert Collins, Jr.; 3F#4.4.3 Darrel Allen Henderson- b 11 November, 1938, m 1.) to Pearl Fanny Sinderman; m 2.) 25 April, 1970 to Sharon Poulson, daughter of Herman William Poulson and Alice May Thomas- b 18 May, 1947; children: 3F#4.4.3.1 Darrel William Henderson; 3F#4.4.3.2 Timothy Allen Henderson; 3F#4.4.4 Marlene Elaine Henderson- b 28 August, 1940, m 1.) to James Banks; children: 3F#4.4.4.1 David Banks, and 3F#4.4.4.2 Brenda Banks; m 2.) to Thomas; m 2.) 3 July, 1963 to Reese Manual Call, Jr.
3F#4.5 Margaret Viola Corbin- b 24 April, 1918, m 26 January, 1941 to Glenn Arnold Schultz- b 22 June, 1916, son of Paul Schultz and Catherine R. Dettre; children: 3F#4.5.1 Glenn Arnold Schultz, Jr.- b 1942; 3F#4.5.2 Darlene Schultz- b March, 1948.
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"26 November, 1985 -- Went to Akron today to find data on Corbins, Burns and Kipp -- no record of death certificate at Health Department on Robert W. Burns, W. L. Burns (who resided at address near Donna)-- obtained birth certificate on Elmer J. Corbin -- born in Akron, to Jesse W. Corbin of Akron, and Anna Margaret Seemann of Berea. Upon investigation, found record of Jesse Corbin born in Coventry Twp., Summit County, to W[illia]m D. Corbin and Viola Cahow, of Summit County.
Looking at marriage license application of Rob[ert] L. Burns of 699 Coburn, home of W. L. and Anna Burns, find appl[ication] to Pauline for 4/28/1928-- Robt. L. Born in Massillon, Ohio.
Also found record for birth of Sarah Corbin, 9/23/1882, and Ernest Corbin 8/14/1884..."
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"Diary note -- 10 November, 1986 -- Went to Akron this morning, arrived at Glendale Cemetery at 8:42 (A.M.) -- inquired about W[illia]m D., Mary V[iola] Cahow], Jesse and Anna Corbin and Sarah Corbin. Also asked about Frederick and Margaret Seemann. Secretary looked for record of the above and found only Bessie [Suess] Corbin, paid for by George E. -- scanning the records, secretary also found Lyman Corbin, moved to Mount Peace.
I went looking for Bessie's gravesite, and went to peruse the Veterans' Section for Wm. D. Corbin. Went finally to Mount Peace Cemetery on a hunch, and asked about the above people. Secretary found the Corbins and the Seemanns, Jesse and Anna Corbin and Fred and Margaret Seemann in Section 12; found Wm D. and Mary V. Corbin in Section 1, with sons. Made note of their locations, took photos, and visited mother Donna and Grandma Gay's graves.
11:40 (A.M.) Went to Akron Library to search in city directory for 1913- 1941 for Seemanns, Jesse and Anna, and Elmer J., plus notes on various other Corbins. Found a record of Fred Seemann residing with a Barbara. With knowledge of Margaret Seemann's death in 1910, went to courthouse at 2:15 P.M. to look for marriage license issued to Fred and Barbara -- found it in 1912. Data included Fred's father Michael and mother Elizabeth Glatterer of Germany, and Fred's birthplace. Went back to Mount Peace to write down William D.'s tombstone inscription, indicating his duty with Company A, 139th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. Left for Euclid and home at 3:30 P.M."
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