Robert Thomson Jr. was born in Fath of Furth, Scotland on February 11, 1894 to Robert Thomson and Ann Smart. He came to the United States in 1903.
Meanwhile, in Jeanetta Borough, a German immigrant named Charles Engel was living with his family on Gaskill Avenue, North Side. Charles reported his birth date to be March 1852, his year of immigration to be 1880 and his occupation to be "Day Laborer." With him was his wife Carolina. In 1900, Carolina reported that she and Charles had been married for 23 years. She was the mother of twelve children, nine of whom were living, and eight of whom were living in the household. Carolina reported her birth date to be March 1856, her birth place to be Germany, and her year of immigration to be 1880. With Charles and Carolina were eight children:
In 1910, William Kitzer was living on Ridge Road in Lower Burrell Township, Allegheny County. He reported his age as 48 and his birthplace as Pennsylvania. He reported his occupation as farmer. With him were his wife Anna, age 40, born Pennsylvania as were her parents. Anna reported having been married for 25 years and being the mother of 12 children, eleven of whom were still living. Eight of the children were living in the home:
In 1915, Robert Thomson married Edith Engel, daughter of Charles and Caroline Engel. Their Marriage License was recorded in the Allegheny County Marriage License Docket. Edith reported her birthplace to be Jeannette, PA. Because Edith was only 19, Charles gave his consent for the marriage. Robert and Edith were married on November 26, 1905.
Robert was naturalized in 1916.
In 1920, Robert was living at 314 Kambach Street in Pittsburgh's 18th Ward in the Beltzhoover section of the City of Pittsburgh. With Robert was Edith, then 23 and their son, Robert Engel Thomson, born on June 3, 1916. Edith reported her birthplace as Pennsylvania and the birthplace of her parents as Germany. Robert reported his occupation as shipper for a builder's supply company. Also living at at 314 Kambach S. were Ralph and Rose Spicker and their children.
Source: 1920 Federal Census for Allegheny County, PA,
Enumeration District No. 609,
page 10.
Edith Engel died on December 26, 1928.
On February 20, 1930, Robert Thomson married his second wife, Blanche Elizabeth Kitzer, daughter of William and Ann Kitzer. Their son was Don Thomson, born on June 24, 1933.
Robert Thomson died on Blanche's birthday in 1940. His obituary read:
THOMSON - On Wednesday morning, Feb. 28, 1940, Robert Thomson, husband of Blanche Kitzer Thomson and father of Robert Jr., and Donald Thomson in his 47th year. Friends may call at the Rodenser Funeral Home, 139 S. Negley Ave., E. E. Services on Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock.Robert Thomson was buried in Allegheny Cemetery, Pittsburgh, PA.
Source: Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Thursday, Feb. 29, 1940
page 24
Copyright � 2000-2003 Nancy McAdams
May 26, 2000
Updated August 24, 2003
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