| Story |
Rebecca C. “Rebie” McDonald worked as a weaver for the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill in the 1890s. She was born in Nova Scotia, Canada on 29 Dec 1870 to Angus Hugh and Henrietta [McNary] McDonald. After the death of their mother Henrietta, Rebecca and brother John immigrated to Kansas in the United States to live with their aunt and uncle, E.K. and Kate Smart. Prior to 1890 the duo made their way to Salem, Oregon where Rebie took work as a weaver at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill.
Rebie married her first husband, Joseph Watt “Joe” Farrar on 9 Dec 1897 in Salem, Oregon. Both were connected with the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. The ceremony was held in the home of L.B. Huffman and attended by a small group of relatives and intimate acquaintances. The same afternoon, the couple left for Pendleton where Joseph had accepted the position of head dyer at the Pendleton Woolen Mills. Two children were born to this union: Helen Elizabeth and Ronald Joseph Farrar. The couple later divorced.
Rebie married her second husband, Walter Manette Dobbs on 3 Feb 1908 in Spokane, Washington. Two children were born to this union: Thelma Ida and Darrell Walter Dobbs. The family lived on the South Bay in Tumwater, Thurston, Washington for over 26 years. Her husband Walter Dobbs died 14 June 1945 in St. Peter’s Hospital in Olympia, Washington. Rebecca died 30 Nov 1959 in Fort Steilacoom, Pierce, Washington. They are buried together in Odd Fellows Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Tumwater, Thurston, Washington. |
| Census |
1871 [Canada] Rebecca C Mcdonald, age: 3/12, birth date: 1871, birthplace: Nova Scotia, residence: Melford, Guysborough, Nova Scotia, religion: Methodist. Father: Angus Mcdonald, age 27, birth date: 1844, birthplace: Nova Scotia, religion: Methodist, occupation: Sail Maker. Mother: Henrietta Mcdonald, age 22, birth date: 1849, birthplace: Nova Scotia, religion: Methodist. Other household member: brother John J. Mcdonald, age 2.
1891 [Canada] Rebecca Mcdonald, age: 20, birth date: 1871, birthplace: Nova Scotia, residence: Melford, Guysborough, Nova Scotia, Canada, religion: Bible Christians. Father: Angus Mcdonald, birth place: Nova Scotia. Mother: Christina Mcdonald, birthplace: Nova Scotia. Other household members: John J (22), Christina (21), Elizabeth M. (18), Kate (16), Nathaniel (4), Maria (2)
1900 [US] R Farrer, age: 26, birth date: Dec 1873, birthplace: Nova Scotia, home in 1900: 320 Brass St. Napa, Napa, California, immigration year: 1883, marriage year: 1898. Husband: J W Farrer, age: 28, occupation: dyer. Other household member: N Farrer (1).
1910 [US] Rebeca Dobbs, age: 36, birth date: abt 1874, birthplace: Canada, home in 1910: Alder, Pierce, Washington, immigration year: 1878. Husband: W M Dobbs, age: 36, occupation: foreman. Other household members: Helen (12), Ronald (4), Thelma (1) and 5 boarders.
1920 [US] Rebecca C Dobbs, age: 46, birth year: abt 1874, birthplace: Nova Scotia, home in 1920: W. Garfield St., Seattle, King, Washington. Husband: M Walker Dobbs, age: 45, occupation: blacksmith. Other household members: Helen E (20), Ronald J (13), Thelma (11), Daryl D (7).
1930 [US] Rebia C Dobbs, age: 57, birth year: abt 1873, birthplace: Canada, home in 1930: Puget, Thurston, Washington. Husband: Walter N Dobbs, age: 55, occupation: farmer. Other household members: Gerald (18), Helen A (30), Robert Sylvester (grandson)
1940 [US] Robie C Dobbs, age: 68, birth year: abt 1872, birthplace: Nova Scotia, home in 1940: Puget, Thurston, Washington. Husband: Walter M Dobbs, age: 65, occupation: farmer. Other household members: Robert C Sylvester (grandson) |
| Newspapers.com |
Capital Journal, 10 Dec 1897, p. 4 “McDONALD – FARRAR – At the residence of L.B. Huffman, corner of Liberty and Bellevue streets, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, 1897,
Miss Rebecca McDonald to Joseph Farrar. The ceremony was performed in a happy manner by Rev. C.B. Bacon, of the First Baptist church, in the presence of only the relatives and intimate acquaintances of the highly contracting parties.
Mr. and Mr. Farrar left this afternoon for Pendleton, where they will make their home, Mr. Farrar having accepted the position of head dyer in the Pendleton Woolen Mills.”
Washington Standard, 7 Feb 1908, p. 3 “Walter Dobbs of this city, and Miss Farrer of Portland, were married at Spokane, Monday.”
Morning Olympian, 15 June 1945, Obituary – “Walter M. Dobbs died Thursday morning at the age of 69. Mr. Dobbs had been living on his farm in South Bay for the last 23 years, having purchased the place some 45 years ago. Born in Bigelow, Kansas, Mr. Dobbs came to Tumwater with his parents, Mr. And Mrs. Scott Dobbs, at the age of eight. In 1898 he went to Alaska for a while during the gold rush. He followed construction work for some years, and for several years was employed by Washington Machinery Company. His wife, Rebecca C., survives him. The children are Helen and Ronald Farrar, both of Olympia, Thelma Hill of Scotts Mill, Oregon, and Darrell Dobbs of Seattle. A brother, W. Reward Dobbs, lives here. A sister, Mrs. Iola Cuttsinger of Tacoma, by coincidence, died unexpectedly this morning. There are five grandchildren. Funeral services will be held in Mills & Mills’ Chapel tomorrow afternoon, starting at three o’clock. The Reverend Dwight Smith will officiate. |
