The Corbins Experience The Loss of Children To Diphtheria

My maternal great grandfather and grandmother, George Washington and Sarah Ann (Todd) Corbin, experienced the loss of four of their children to diphtheria at young ages.   They were living in West Liberty, Putnam County, Missouri at the time.   I have some of their obituaries.

"From the Unionville Republican of July 29, 1896:

"Died, Pearly, daughter of Brother George Washington Corbin and Sister Sarah A. Corbin, departed this life July 21, 1896 at the age of eight years, of heart trouble resulting from diphtheria. The little girl was thought to be getting along nicely. She was up and ate her supper at the table the night before and thought to be nearly out of danger and before 8:00am, and the next morning was a corpse.

And thus we see that it is but a span from this to the other world, only divided by the small thread of life and that may break at any moment and launch us into the great moment and take us into the great beyond. Funeral services were held in the West Liberty Methodist Chapel, conducted by Rev. N. A. Nickerson, after which the remains were laid to rest in the Cemetery, until God shall call the sleeping dust to come forth and stand in the army of the first born and walk the golden streets of the new Jerusalem, city of our God.

Brother and Sister Corbin and their children Ira and Sylvia, have our sincere sympathy in this loss of their second child this year. May God help them to bear their burdens of grief."

What is diphtheria?

Diphtheria is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. This disease primarily affects the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract (respiratory diphtheria), although it may also affect the skin (cutaneous diphtheria) and lining tissues in the ear, eye, and the genital areas.

What is the history of diphtheria?

Throughout history, diphtheria was a leading cause of death among children, and it was once referred to as the "strangling angel of children." Through the ages, several epidemics struck Europe, and even the American colonies were affected by an outbreak in the 18th century.

The diphtheria bacterium was first identified in the 1880s. In the 1890s, the antitoxin against diphtheria was developed, with the first vaccine being developed in the 1920s. With the development and administration of the diphtheria vaccine, the incidence of diphtheria has decreased significantly. Though it is still endemic in many parts of the world, respiratory diphtheria has now became a rare disease in the United States (with up to five cases per year). Furthermore, whereas diphtheria primarily affected younger children in the prevaccination era, an increasing proportion of cases today occur in unvaccinated or inadequately immunized adolescents and adults.

What causes diphtheria?

Diphtheria is caused by toxin-producing strains of the gram-positive bacillus Corynebacterium diphtheriae. There are four biotypes of the bacterium (gravis, mitis, intermedius, and belfanti), and each differs in the severity of disease it produces. Nontoxigenic strains are usually responsible for less severe cutaneous diphtheria.

The signs and symptoms of respiratory diphtheria are caused by the bacterium's ability to cause a localized inflammatory reaction of the cells lining the upper respiratory tract. In certain cases, the disease can become more severe and widespread, and it can involve other organs of the body as well.

How is diphtheria transmitted?

Diphtheria is transmitted to close contacts via airborne respiratory droplets or by direct contact with nasopharyngeal secretions or skin lesions. Rarely, it can be spread by objects contaminated by an infected person. Overcrowding and poor living conditions can further contribute to the spread of diphtheria.
Humans are the only known reservoir of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Infected individuals may develop symptoms of diphtheria, or they may become carriers of the bacteria with no symptoms (asymptomatic carriers). These asymptomatic carriers can serve as reservoirs for active infection and may transmit the disease to other individuals.

What are the signs and symptoms of diphtheria?

The symptoms of respiratory diphtheria usually begin after a two- to five-day incubation period. Symptoms of respiratory diphtheria may include the following:

• sore throat,
• fever,
• malaise,
• hoarseness,
• difficulty swallowing, or
• difficulty breathing.

With the progression of respiratory diphtheria, the infected individual may also develop an adherent gray membrane (pseudomembrane) forming over the lining tissues of the tonsils and/or nasopharynx. Individuals with severe disease may also develop neck swelling and enlarged neck lymph nodes, leading to a "bull-neck" appearance. Extension of the pseudomembrane into the larynx and trachea can lead to obstruction of the airway with subsequent suffocation and death.

 This is a photo of George Washington and Sarah Ann "Sadie" (Todd) Corbin with their children taken in the late 1880s or early 1890s, prior to the deaths of four of their children from Diphtheria.

L-R: Sylvia Corbin, George Washington Corbin Ira Corbin (standing at rear) Ira Lee Corbin (standing at his father's knee, Sarah Ann "Sadie" (Todd) Corbin, she is holding Raymond Corbin, and Goldie Mae Corbin is standing on the right side.  All three of the younger children in this photograph died.

This is a photo taken in 1899 and shows the four surviving children of George Washington and Sarah Ann "Sadie" (Todd) Corbin.   Show L-R are:  Sylvia Myrtle Corbin, Ira Lee Corbin, Edna Corbin and Robert Corbin.  Robert Corbin was the maternal grandfather of the author, Nicholas Clark.   I had the privilege of knowing all of these children, and all lived in Wichita, Kansas with the exception of Robert, who lived in Maple Hill, Kansas with his wife Mildred (McCauley                                                 

The names and birthdays of the children of George Washington and Sarah Ann "Sadie" (Todd) Corbin  are:

Sylvia Myrtle Corbin, born October 29, 1882 at Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska.   Sylvia died on February 5, 1963 at Wichita, Sedgewick County, Kansas and is buried in the Old Stone Church Cemtery, Wabaunsee County, Maple Hill, Kansas.

Ira Lee Corbin, born  February 26, 1884 in West Liberty, Putnam County, Kansas and died February 25, 1974 in Wichita, Sedgewick County, Kansas.

Pearly Elizabeth Corbin, born April 29, 1888 in West Liberty, Putnam County, Kansas and died July 21, 1896 at West Liberty, Putnam County, Missouri from diphtheria.

Goldie Mae Corbin, born November 18, 1889 at West Liberty, Putnam County, Kansas and died May 3, 1896 at Hastings, Adams County, Nebraska of diphtheria.

Raymond Corbin, born January 8, 1891 at West Liberty, Putnam County, Kansas and died July 28, 1896 at West Liberty, Putnam County, Kansas of diphtheria.

Hazel D. Corbin, born October 28, 1892 in West Liberty, Putnam County, Kansas and died July 25, 1896 at West Liberty, Putnam County, Kansas of diphtheria.

Edna Corbin, born March 11, 1898 in West Liberty, Putnam County, Kansas and died July 9, 1975 at the home of her niece Lucille (Corbin) Clark in Maple Hill, Wabaunsee County, Kansas.   She is buried at the Old Stone Church Cemetery, Maple Hill, Kansas

Robert Corbin, born January 5, 1899 at West Liberty, Putnam County, Kansas and died April 16, 1958 at Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas and is buried in the Old Stone Church Cemetery, Maple Hill, Wabaunsee County, Kansas.

Frankie Corbin, born July 19, 1901 in Oklahoma and died shortly there after.

Sadie Corbin was never happy living in the home in West Liberty where four of their children had so tragically died.   So she and George Washington moved to south central Kansas where they operated railroad hotels.   One of them was The City Hotel in Freeport, Kansas.  My cousin, Rita Corbin Cornett gave me this meal ticket from the hotel.  The cost for three meals per day for one week was $4.50.   I have looked for a photograph of The City Hotel but I have not been able to find one.   I do have a photo of the house where the Corbin family lived at 1311 South St. Francis Street, in Wichita, Kansas.

The Freeport Methodist Church, Freeport, Kansas

As an aside, Freeport, Kansas is the smallest town in the United States that still retains a zip code and post office.   There were three (3) residents in 2010.   It is also the smallest city in Kansas to retain it's incorporated status and has an elected mayor and city council.   There are some old brick buildings and the Methodist Church is still in use, but Freeport, as a city is probably taking it's last breath.  Incidentally, George Washington and Sadie Corbin were Methodists and it's likely they attended this church since it was the only one in town.

Sadie Corbin died when the family lived in this home.   Here is a short obituary that appeared in the Wichita newspapers:  "Sarah Ann Todd Corbin, passed away on July 4, 1916 at her home,

1311 South St. Francis Street, Wichita, Kansas. She died of complications from Typhoid Fever, and was ill for four days. She was 52 years, 11 months and 24 days old at death. She was buried in Maple Grove Cemetery in Wichita.

This is a photo of the George Washington and Sarah Ann "Sadie" (Todd) Corbin home in West Liberty, Putnam County, Missouri.   The author took this photo while touring Corbin and Todd family sites with Todd cousin, Reva Todd Dixon in 1973.

This is a photo (L-R) of Sylvia and Edna Corbin taken in Wichita, Sedgewich County, Kansas.   They appear to be young women so I'm dating the photo in the early 1920s.

This is a photo of George Washington Corbin and his daughter Sylvia, taken at their home at 1311 South St. Francis Street, Wichita, Kansas.   Note that Sylvia has a black dress on and I'm wondering if this photo was not taken soon after the death of Sarah Ann (Sadie) Corbin.  Sylvia Myrtle Corbin never married and while she did work from time to time, she suffered from mental illness.  The family finally committed her to the Kansas State Hospital for the Insane at Larned, Kansas where she spent the last years of her life.   I remember making the long trip from Maple Hill, Kansas to Larned with my grandparents and other relatives at least twice as a young boy.  If memory serves me, Aunt Sylvia was released in the last year or two of her life and lived with her sister Edna Corbin in Wichita, where she died.    Her funeral was held at the Maple Hill Community Congregation Church in Maple Hill, Kansas and the author was the vocalist for the service.

Edna Corbin was married to R. Owen Silvis in the 1920s but I have not found a record.   My mother, Lucille (Corbin) Clark, and niece of Edna Corbin, told me this information:

Ms. Corbin married Mr. Silvuis in the 1920s. He was in World War I, with Robert Corbin, Edna's brother and they knew each other and were friends.  They were married several years before divorcing but I don't remember how many. 

Ms. Corbin went to work for Kansas Gas & Electric Company in Wichita as World War Two began. They moved to California where there were better paying jobs but were divorced during World War II. Ms. Corbin took back her maiden name after the divorce. She went back to work for KG&E and retired from KG&E as chief telephone operator. She died in the home of her niece, Ms. Lucille Corbin Clark, at Maple Hill, Kansas and is buried by her brother Robert and sister Sylvia in the Maple Hill Stone Church Cemetery, Maple Hill, Kansas.

On November 18, 1941, Edna Corbin Silvis wrote her niece, Lucille Corbin Clark, a post card from 7103 Owensmouth, Canoga Park, California: Dear Lucille, your cards came this morning and sure enough, we have moved to Canoga Park, a suburb of Los Angeles about 25 miles out. Like it fine here. Wish you could all come to see us. Every thing is so pretty here. The flowers blooming and everything is green. Am downtown today, so decided to answer you right back so I'd get the promised letter. Don't forget now! Owen hasn't read your card yet but will write next time. Tell all hello. Lots of love. Aunt Edna. (Mother was living with her Mitchell/Lemon cousins, Pete and Virginia Kelling at 1145 Michigan Street, Topeka. She worked in their grocery store at the time.)

The photos above are both Edna Corbin. On the left is a baby picture taken in Unionville, which was the county seat of Putnam County, Missouri and on the right is a photo of Edna Corbin taken as she walked to work for KG&E in Wichita, Kansas during the 1940s.



I remember my Aunt Edna as a very snappy dresser.   She had to dress nicely for her work at KG&E and she always wore "Taboo" perfume.    She lived the last two years of her life with the author's parents, John "Tim" and Lucille (Corbin) Clark in Maple Hill.   I can still remember the strong smell of "Taboo" when I visited.  I was teaching at the University of Valencia in Valencia, Spain the summer she passed away (1975.)

This is a picture of Edna Corbin taken in Wichita, Kansas in the 1940s.    I remember Aunt Edna always liked cats and had one or two in her apartment in Wichita.   We either drive to Wichita for visits with relatives or we could also take the train on the Rock Island Railroad from Maple Hill to Wichita.

I'll end this blog with a photo of the Robert Corbin Family taken at Maple Hill, Kansas in 1936.   L-R: George Samuel Corbin, Lucille Corbin (standing rear) Joan Corbin (in front of Lucille) Mildred (McCauley) Corbin (standing) Sarah Emma Corbin (in front of her mother) Robert Corbin (standing) and Vivian Mae Corbin (standing in front of her father.) 

This is a 1997 photograph of the five children of Robert and Mildred (McCauley) Corbin:  L-R standing are Joan, Vivian Mae and Sarah Emma.   L-R seated are:  George Samuel and Lucille.  My mother will probably haunt me for using this photo which she always dispised.   Aunt Joan is the only sibling alive at this writing.




Happy Trails!