~ TOBINS: A Glimpse Into The Past ~: RICHARD D. TOBIN SR, b. 1888, d. 7 Nov 1967

Richard D. "Dick" Tobin, Sr. was born 7 Aug 1888 in Fargo, North Dakota to Richard and Mary Tobin. His family moved to Birdseye, Montana when he was two months old. He was christened once the family arrived in Montana at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Helena, Montana [notes by Benda Neuenswander indicate parents are Richard Tobin of Ellison, MT and Marie or Marie Richards of Elliston, MT].

Richard D. Tobin Sr. [ photo courtesy of Benda Neuenswander]

Richard D. Tobin Sr. [photo courtesy of Benda Neuenswander]

[created by Karylyn Bliss]

Richard attended the Birdseye School.

Richard "Dick" D. Tobin, Sr. married Blanche E. Hannah Sites (b. 19 May 1897, Montana, parents=James Ezekial Sites and Anna Grindley) on 13 April 1919 in Helena, MT. They had three children:

Avis Ann "Sanny" Tobin, b. 24 Mar. 1920, Helena, MT
Betty Blanche Tobin, b. 21 Aug. 1921, Helena, MT
Richard Donald "Dickie" Tobin Jr., b. 15 Jan. 1926, Helena, MT

Front left: Sanny Tobin, Betty Tobin

Back left: Blanche Tobin, Richard D. Tobin Sr.

circa 1924. [photo courtesy of Justine Tobin]

Richard was deputy sheriff in Helena from 1917-1921, and sold farm machinery before becoming superintendent of the Lewis and Clark County Hospital from 1922-1939. He was chairman of the Lewis and Clark County Red Cross Chapter from 1935-1936 and chairman of the county ration board during World War II. After Blanche died in 1939, he became manager of Stewart Homes in Helena, MT from 1943-1946. He was director and vice president of Western Savings and Loan of Salt Lake City from 1934-1955.

Richard was a charter member and past president of the Helena Lions Club and a member of the BPOE No. 193 of which he was exalted ruler and past district deputy grand exalted ruler. He was a member of King Solomon Lodge No. 9, AF and AM, the Scottish Rite Bodies and Algeria Shrine Temple.

Ella Tobin and Blanche Tobin at the ranch [photo courtesy of Justine Tobin]

Blanche Tobin and Ella Tobin at the ranch [photo courtesy of Justine Tobin]

Great-niece, Benda Neuenswander, states, "Richard Tobin was one of my favorite uncles. He was a widower for many years. He managed the Stewart Homes housing project where my mom and I and my sister, Joan lived for four years while my Dad was in the Navy during World War II. These were sad years and I remember my mom trying to make ends meet on $100 a month. Uncle Dick gave us a special rent rate of $30 a month. He was always very good to us and if we kids went to his office he would always have candy hiding in his desk somewhere."

Great- nephew, Jeff Tobin, states, "Richard was known as 'Grandpa Dick' to him growing up. When Richard's brother, John, learned he had terminal cancer, John asked Richard to be a grandpa to his grandchildren." Jeff remembers Grandpa Dick taking him to baseball games and spending time with him.

Richard D. Tobin Sr. [photo courtesy of Benda Neuenswander]

Richard D. Tobin Sr. on the ranch [photo courtesy of Benda Neuenswander]

Avis Ann 1 yr. - Spring 1921 - with grandmother Anna Grindley Whiting Sites and mother Blanche Sites Tobin. [photo courtesy of Justine Tobin]

Blanche Hannah Sites Tobin received her education from schools in Helena and became a stenographer before her married to Richard Tobin.

Blanche served as Matron of the Lewis and Clark County Hospital for 15 years. She and her husband and children lived on site at the County Hospital. She was very active in the affairs of the community, especially those relating to the welfare of the unfortunate, and through her interest in those matters, through her social associations and lodge relations, she had acquired a wide circle of friends.

She was a past noble grand of Vera Rebekah lodge of Helena and was prominent in the order's work. She was also a member and active worker in the Sons and Daughters of Montana Pioneers.

Richard D. Tobin Sr., Avis Ann, Betty, and Blanche Tobin, Spring 1923, 726 Ninth Avenue, Helena, MT. [Photo courtesy of Justine Tobin]

Richard Donald Tobin Jr., circa 1932 [Photo courtesy of Justine Tobin]

Avis Ann, Betty, Blanche, Richard Jr, Richard Sr., Summer 1938 [photo courtesy of Justine Tobin]

Richard D. "Dick" Tobin, Sr., died 7 Nov. 1967 in Helena, MT. Interment in IOOF "Independent Order of Odd Fellows" Cemetery, Helena, Lewis and Clark, Montana. His death certificates states cause of death "artherioscleratic heart disease, onset=3 years."

Blanche Hannah Sites Tobin died 8 Jan. 1939 at age 42 in Helena, MT of complications of an operation performed two weeks prior to her death. Interment in IOOF "Independent Order of Odd Fellows" Cemetery, Helena, Lewis and Clark, Montana.

NOTEWORTHY: According to David Tobin, John Tobin's wife, "Mugs" treated Avis Ann "Sanny" Tobin and Betty Tobin like daughters for the rest of her life.

Avis Ann "Sanny" Tobin

Avis Ann "Sanny" Tobin never married and lived with her sister Betty Blanche Tobin, who also never married. "Sanny" attended local schools in Helena, including Helena Business College, and the University of Montana.

At her death, a local poet, Mike Logan said of "Sanny", 'When it comes to having friends, her amigoship extends the lengths and breadth of our most favored lands. It's for the simple reason reason, any time and any season, she's always there to lend a helping hand.'

Avis Ann "Sanny" Tobin died on Valentine's Day,14 Feb. 2003 in Helena, MT at age 82 of cancer. Interment in Episcopal Church in Helena, Lewis and Clark, Montana. Noteworthy: There is a footstone at IOOF "Independent Order of Odd Fellows", Helena, Lewis and Clark, Montana, along with her parents.

Betty Blanche Tobin

Betty Blanche Tobin attended schools in Helena, graduating from Helena High School Class of 1939. In her working life, Betty was employed by the Internal Revenue Service in Helena for many years before retiring in the mid 1960s. She then worked for several years for the Montana Contractors Association, retiring permanently in the late 1970s.

Betty, inseparable from her sister, "Sanny", was very active in the Helena community throughout her life. Always one to stay close to home, Betty was devoted to her friends, yet she always nurtured and stayed in touch with family and friends who could not be near. "Sanny" always credited Betty for doing such a great job of keeping the family together and managing the household, especially after the untimely death of their mother in 1939.

Betty loved to garden and was well-known for her roses. Betty was lots of fun to be with and she enjoyed staying busy, being with friends and family, going for a drive, reminiscing, sharing a meal, playing cards, and having a good laugh.

Betty Blanche Tobin died 14 Sep. 2004 in Helena, MT at age 83 after a brief illness. Internment in Columbarium Niche, Plymouth Congregational Church, Helena, Lewis and Clark, Montana.

Richard Donald Tobin Jr. married Jacqueline "Jacquie" Fagrelius in 1955. They have three children: Sheila Kaye, David Shawn, and Susan Maureen.

Sheila Kaye Tobin, married to Bob Woods.

David Shawn Tobin, married Justine Eidt. They have three children: Hannah, Jonathan, and Maximilian.

Susan Maureen Tobin

Richard Donald "Dickie" Tobin, Jr. was born in Helena and live at the Lewis and Clark County Hospital with his family until the death of his mother in 1939.

Richard Donald "Dickie" Tobin, Jr. died 17 Dec. 2009 in Plano, TX. Internment in Episcopal Church, Helena, Lewis and Clark, Montana.

A special thank you to Justine Eidt Tobin for additional information which can be viewed at:
http://justineeidttobin.shutterfly.com/thehelenamontanatobinfamily

RESEARCH NOTES:

Richard D. Tobin Sr. Marriage License (#8395), 13 Apr 1919, states his father's name as Richard Tobin, mother's name as Mary Rickarts.

Richard D. Tobin Sr. Social Security Application (517-18-7038), signed 29 Dec 1939 by Richard D. Tobin, states his father's name as Richard Tobin, mother's name as Mary Kelly.

U.S. Federal Census:
1910 ~ Clough School District, Lewis and Clark County, Montana (16 Apr 1910)
     Tobin, Richard D., son, 23, male, single, b. Dakota, conductor, railroad

1920 ~ Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana (10 Jan 1920)
     Tobin, Richard D., head, 33, male, married, b. Minnesota, parents=Ireland, clerk, Sanford Evans Co.
     Tobin, Blanche H., wife, 23, female, married, b. Montana, parents=Virginia/Michigan, none

1930 ~ County Hospital, Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana (16 Apr 1930)
     Tobin, Richard D., superintendant/head, 43, male, married, b. North Dakota, parents=Irish Free State, Superintendant County Hospital
     Tobin, Blanche H., Matron H. 33, female, married, b. Montana, parents=Virginia/Michigan, mistress, County Hospital
     Tobin, Avis A, daughter, 10, female, single, b. Montana, parents=North Dakota/Montana, none
     Tobin, Betty P, daughter 8, female, single, b. Montana, parents=North Dakota/Montana, none
     Tobin, Richard Jr., son, 4, male, single, b. Montana, parents=North Dakota/Montana, none