The Children of George Washington and Sarah Ann (Todd) Corbin: Sylvia M. and Ira Lee Corbin

Yesterday I wrote about my maternal great grandparents, George Washington and Sarah Ann "Sadie" (Todd) Corbin.    In the next two blogs, I want to write about their children and their families.

Their oldest daughter was Sylvia Myrtle Corbin, who was born on October 28, 1882 at Ayr Township, Adams County, Nebraska.    Since George Washington Corbin never claimed a homestead in Nebraska, as did some of his brothers and sisters, it isn't really clean why he and Sadie Corbin were there when Sylvia was born.  His parents, James and Cynthia Ann (Casteel) Corbin owned farms both at West Liberty, Putnam County, Missouri and in Ayr Township, Adams County, Nebraska.   His father had disabilities from the Civil War and wasn't really able to do heavy farm work.   George and Sadie may have been there to help with their farm work.   It may have been the case that George wanted his large extended family to help with the birth of their first child, although Sadie (Todd) Corbin was also from a large extended family living in Putnam County, Missouri and it seems they would also have helped.   I suppose now we'll never know for sure because everyone that had first hand knowledge is now deceased.  

 A photograph of the George W. and Sarah Ann "Sadie" (Todd) Corbin family.   Sylvia M. Corbin is their oldest child and is standing in the rear.    Edna Corbin and Robert Corbin are standing in the middle row.  George W., Sarah Ann "Sadie" (Todd,) and Ira Lee Corbin are seated in the front row.  Since Robertwas born in 1899, and appears to be 6-8 years old, the photo is from 1905-1908.


Sylvia Corbin was an attractive, active child.   Although her sister, my great aunt Edna Corbin, was 16 years younger, she told me that Sylvia was always "difficult."   She said that she was prone to mood swings and that she could be happy one minute, fly into a rage the next and then be totally depressed and withdrawn after the rage.  She moved to southern Kansas with her family to operate railroad hotels.  By 1910, they had given up that pursuit and had moved into Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas when they spent the remainder of their lives.


This is a photograph from about 1920.   Sylvia Corbin is in the middle and her cousin Estella Parsons in on the left and cousin Linnie (Bell) Parsons is on the right.  


Great Aunt Edna Corbin told me that Sylvia stayed home and took care of her parents.   Her mother's health was fragile.   She was the mother of nine children and had watched four of them die within four months of each other from typhoid fever.   A fifth child, Frankie, born in 1901, also died as an infant.   Sadie (Todd) Corbin had worked hard to help her husband, whether they lived on the farm or were operating hotels.    It took it's toll.   Then in 1916, Sadie Corbin contracted the same dreaded disease that had taken her four children, Typhoid fever.    Sylvia cared for her while her fever raged and her cough became worse over a four-week period.   Sadie died in July 1916 at just 53. 

This is a photo of Sylvia M. Corbin and her father, George Washington Corbin taken after her mother's death.   Note in both the photo with her father and her cousins, she is wearing this same black dress which indicates a period of mourning.



If you remember, Sadie's husband, George W. Corbin was 10 years older than she, so he was 63 when she passed away.   Their son Ira Lee Corbin had married his childhood sweetheart, Anna Violet Lunsford, in 1904 and they lived across town in Wichita.  They were busy raising their own family of three children by that time.

Within a year or two George W. Corbin began exhibiting all the symptoms of senile dementia and Sylvia cared for him as he became increasingly difficult.   George W. Corbin died in 1926 at the age of 73.  All the while Sylvia was dealing with her parents, she was also struggling with her own mental health.  Her brother, my grandfather, Robert Corbin, went to France in World War I and returned after the armistice in 1918.   He found work in Wichita and lived with his father, George W. Corbin and his sisters Sylvia and Edna until he was married in 1920.    Edna Corbin also found work in Wichita, so Robert and Edna were working all day and Sylvia was left with the care of her mother and then her father as well as the household responsibilities.   The strain was too great.   She began to exhibit more and more signs of serious mental illness. 


This is a current photo of the Old Stone Church, Maple Hill Cemetery, Maple Hill, Kansas. The Corbin Lots are straight north of the church.



Robert Corbin married Mildred Mae Mccauley in 1920 and they moved 150 miles north to the McCauley farm in Wabaunsee County, Kansas.    This left George W., Sylvia and Edna living together.   Great Aunt Edna  Corbin told me that after her father's death, Sylvia began have violent episodes and that she finally had to be hospitalized.    From 1930 until Sylvia's death on February 5, 1963, she spent most of the time in mental institutions.    Her sister, Edna Corbin, with the help of medications, was able to keep her in her home in Wichita, Kansas the last two or three years of her life.  She was 81-years-old when she passed away.  Edna Corbin had already decided to be buried with her brother Robert Corbin and his family in the Old Stone Church Cemetery at Maple Hill, Kansas.   So she purchased two lots and had Sylvia Myrtle Corbin buried there also.  The two sisters are buried beside her brother Robert Corbin and his wife, Mildred Mae (McCauley) Corbin.

I knew my great aunt Sylvia Corbin.   I made several trips to visit her when she was hospitalized at the Kansas State Mental Hospital in Larned, Kansas.    I also made a couple of trips with my mother to visit her during her last illness in Wichita, Kansas.    With the aid of medication, she was able to function well and although I never asked her about her life or about family history, she was able to carry on a good conversatoin and enjoyed our visits.  Services for Sylvia M. Corbin were held at the Maple Hill Community Congregational Church in Maple Hill, Kansas.  The author of this blog was the organist for her service.

Ira Lee Corbin

Ira Lee Corbin was the second child born to George Washington and Sarah Ann "Sadie" (Todd) Corbin on February 26, 1884 at West Liberty, Putnam County, Missouri.

A photo of the George W. and Sadie Corbin children.  Standing are Sylvia Myrtle and Ira Lee Corbin.  The two babies are Edna Corbin on the left and Robert Corbin sitting on the chair.   The photo was taken in 1899.

The blog author knew his great uncle, Ira Lee Corbin and his wife Anna Violet (Lunsford) Corbin and visited them several times in the company of his grandparents, Robert and Mildred Mae (McCauley) Corbin, his mother Lucille (Corbin) Clark and other family members.    I remember Uncle Ira and Aunt Annie as both having happy personalities and providing warm welcomes for family get together's.    They had a small home in Wichita, but they took great pride in their home  which also had lovely vegetable and flower gardens.

On one of those visits in the 1970s, they shared this story with me.   "We didn't come to Kansas with George and Sadie Corbin and other family members.   We stayed behind in Putnam County, Misssouri and farmed.   It was both of our homes and we thought we'd be happier there.

We were married on January 22, 1904.  I (Annie) was one year younger than Ira.   I was born on New Year's Day, 1885 and he was born February 26, 1884.   We were very happy there and our first child, Fern Winifred was born on our farm in December of 1904.   Unfortunately, she died two years later in 1906.

This phot of a Corbin Reunion was taken in Wichita, Kansas in about 1940.   Standing in the back row from L-R:  Harold Lee Corbin, Sylvia M. Corbin face just visible, Lillie Mae (Albud) Corbin, and George Samuel Corbin.   Second row L-R:  Robert Corbin, Faye M. Corbin, Mildred Mae (McCauley) Corbin, Anna (Lunsford) Corbin and Ira Lee Corbin.   Standing in the front row are Sarah Emma Corbin, Rex D. Thompson, Vivian Mae Corbin and Gerald Dale Thompson.

I was so happy when I found out I was expecting a baby again.    We both wanted children so badly.  Unfortunately, it was a good/bad experience.   In 1909,  I had twins, a little boy and a little girl.   The little boy we named Clifford Eugene.   He died shortly after birth.   The little girl, we named Faye Mildred Corbin and althought she was weak at first, she survived.

The same year the twins were born, Ira and Annie and their little daughter Faye decided they would give up farming and move to Freeport, Kansas where George W. and Sadie Corbin were operating the Railroad Hotel.

A photo of the Ira and Annie (Lunsford) Corbin Family.  Seated on the couch at the back, are Ira Lee Corbin and his wife Anna Violet (Lunsford) Corbin.   Seated in front from L-R:  Faye (Corbin) Thompson, Reta Pearl (Corbin) Cornett and Harold Lee Corbin.

Our horses names were Cap and Daisy.   When we left the farm at Pennville,Missouri, we had $8.50 to our name. We stopped at farm houses and bought eggs and food as we went.   Ira worked for farmers along the way when the money ran out.  One night, it rained so hard the rain put the fire out before the potatoes were done, and we had to eat potatoes with "bones" in them as we used to say.  Our wagon had a good top and we kept dry inside.   We went to Corwin, Kansas where we had a friend who was farming.   He let us stay with him until we finally got settled."

A 1965 Photo of Corbins:   Seated on the couch from L-R:   Edna Corbin, Anna (Lunsford) Corbin, Ira Corbin.  The children are all the Cornett great grandchildren of Ira and Anna Corbin.

Ira Lee Corbin died on February 25, 1974 just a day before his 90th birthday and just a month after he and Annie (Lundsford) Corbin celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary.   The Corbins are buried in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas.

Faye Mildred Corbin was born in June of 1909 and was married to Cecil Thompson at Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas on October 29, 1927.   To this union, two sons were born:   Gerald Dale on February 13, 1931 and Rex Duane on November 10, 1933.   Gerald Dale passed away on June 9, 1946 and is buried in Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas.   Faye and Cecil Thompson were divorced in 1959.    Faye (Corbin) Thompson died in August 1983 and is buried in White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Wichita, Kansas.

SEDAN, Kansas - Rex D. Thompson, 72, of Sedan, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005, at Cedar Vale Community Hospital in Cedar Vale.
He was born Nov. 10, 1933, in Wichita, Kan. to Cecil 0. and Faye M. (Corbin) Thomnson. He grew up in Wichita and graduated from Wichita North High School in 1952.
He was promoted to CMSgt in 1981, while serving in the 184th Civil Engineering Squadron. His career includes two years active duty with the Marine Corps, nine years with the Marine Corps Reserve, 22 years with the Kansas Air National Guard, and six years with the Air Porce Reserve. He retired in May of 1990 after 39 years of service to his country.
On March 8, 1974, he married Karen (Prowant) Gerringer in Wichita, Kan., where they made their home until 1977, when they moved to Towanda, Kan. They lived in Towanda for almost 30 years before coming to Sedan in 1995.
Mr. Thompson was a member of the Church of Christ in Sedan, Kan. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He served as treasurer on the #4 water board of Chautauqua County, and was the Republican precinct committeeman for Lafayette Township in Chautauqua County.
Survivors include his wife, Karen, of the home; two sons, Jerry Driver, Everett, Wash, and Gary Gerringer Jr., Merriam Kan.; four daughters, Rexanne Dee Gedminas, Derby, Kan., Gretchen Spain, Derby, Kan., Gwen McVey, Derby, Kan. and Sasha Thompson, Sedan, Kan.; two brothers, Ray Taylor, Benton Kan. and Rick Taylor, Lumberton, Texas, and 12 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005, at the Church of Christ in Sedan with Joe Thomas officiating. Military Rites were conducted by the U.S. Army Honor Guard of Fort Riley, Kan. Cremation will follow with burial at a later date

Reta Pearl Corbin was born on August 2, 1910 and was married to Tolema Olney Cornett on October 29, 1930 at Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas.   Tolema was the son of James Oliver and Ruth Eleanor Cornett and was born August 29, 1909 at Eldon, Missouri.

To this union were born three chlidren:   Patricia Joy on October 20, 1931; Larry Kent on February 27, 1933; and Gary Lee on March 23, 1943.

Patricia Joy was married to Charles John Born on March 25, 1951 at Wichita, Kansas.   They have three children: Sherry Lynn born February 3, 1953; Holly Ann born April 17, 1955 and Michael Wayne born March 21, 1957.   The family lives at Manhattan, Kansas.

Charles John "Chuck" Born, died peacefully in his sleep at his home on September 6, 2011. He was 81 years old. He was married to Patricia Cornett on March 25, 1951 in Wichita, Kansas. They enjoyed 60 years of life together. They had three children, Sherry Jessup, Holly Burmania and Mike Born. Chuck also had seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Chuck moved with his family to Manhattan from Wichita in 1966. He was the owner of Countryside Homes and Countryside Estates for over forty years, where he worked until his death. He enjoyed flying his own plane, antique cars, K-State football, square dancing and family. He was active in the community and supported organizations that helped people in need. Chuck was a beloved father and friend and enjoyed spending time with his family.

Chuck chose to be cremated, and a memorial service and celebration of his life will be held Saturday, September 10 at 10:00 am at The First United Methodist Church Sanctuary at 6^th and Poyntz.

Larry Kent Cornett was married to Shirley June Coleman on October 29, 1953 at Wichita, Sedgwick County, Kansas.   To this union were born three children:  Dena Marie on November 8, 1954; Debra Ann on September 23, 1956; and Stephen Michael on January 2, 1958.   Larry is a captain on the Wichita City Fire Department.  Cornett, Larry Kent, 77, retired Captain with the Wichita Fire Department, passed away February 11, 2011. Born in Wichita on February 27, 1933, he graduated from Wichita North High and lived most of his life in Wichita. He was preceded in death by parents, T.O. and Reta Cornett and his brother, Gary. His survivors include wife of 57 years Shirley Coleman Cornett; children Steve (Sherri) Cornett of Bothell, WA, Dena (Tony Sannella) Cornett of Mill Valley, CA and Debbie (John) Turpin of Belle Plaine; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Pat Born of Manhattan and numerous nieces and nephews. Viewing 12-8 p.m. Wednesday with family receiving 6-7 p.m. Service will be 10 a.m. Thursday both at Resthaven Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to the Kansas Firefighters Museum, 1300 S. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67211 or to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, 313 S. Market, Wichita, KS 67202.

Gary Lee Cornett was married to Gloria Ruth Moreau at Dinuba, California on July 24, 1963.   To this union was born two children:  Stephanie Renee on April 4, 1971 and Heather Lee on June 8, 1974.    Gary Lee Cornett died October 21, 2003 in Ponca City, Oklahoma.

Reta Pearl Cornett passed away on December 18, 1985 in Wichita, Kansas and Tolema Olney Cornett passed away in December, 1984 in Wichita, Kansas.

Harold Lee Corbin was born on October 11, 1913 at Wichita, Kansas and married Lillie Mae Albud on December 3, 1938.   Lillie was born March 13, 1918 at Wichita and was the daughter of William F. and Effie E. (Alter) Albud.   To their union were born two children:  Edward Lee on October 29, 1945 and Debra Sue on March 13, 1952.  Debra passed away on November 7, 1953.   Harold is retired from the Wichita Eagle-Beacon Newspaper.  Their son Edward Lee Corbin was mentally handicapped and lives in a group home in Wichita, Kansas.

A photo of Harold Lee and Lillie Mae (Albud) Corbin taken in about 1950.

Ira Lee and Annie (Lunsford) Corbin had another daughter, Reta Pearl Corbin, on August 2, 1910 while they were living at Freeport, Kansas.   Their last child, a son, Harold Lee Corbin, was born on October 11, 1913 after they had moved to Wichita, Kansas.

The author has many happy memories of interaction with my "Wichita" cousins during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.   However I'm sorry to say that after I moved from Kansas, I was not able to keep up contacts with these cousins, for which I have much regret.

I will continue with the family of George Washington and Sarah Ann "Sadie" (Todd) Corbin in my next blog.

Until then---Happy Trails!