The Robert Valentine Dublin Family
Facts by Mrs. R. V. Dublin, Sr.
The family name of Dublin is well known in Cherokee County. Robert Valentine Dublin was a prominent member of that family. He and his wife, Susan Elizabeth (Orr) Dublin, are descendants of pioneer settlers of the county.
Robert V. Dublin was born February 14, 1878, in Larissa, Texas. He died October 25, 1954, in Jacksonville. He was the son of Francis Winfield and Nancy E. (Click) Dublin. Their parents, Surley and Sarah B. (Cole) Dublin and John and Sarah L. (Dodson) Click, settled in Larissa in 1849. Elizabeth Dublin, daughter of James Alonzo and Louisiana (Debruhl) Orr, was born March 7, 1883, in Centralia, Trinity County, Texas. The Orr family moved to Mt. Selman in 1891.
The Dublins were married in Mt. Selman December 8, 1901, and in 1916, moved to Jacksonville and built a home north of town. The road from North Bolton Street in Jacksonville to their house was known, in early years, as "Dublin Loop" presently named Quevado Street. The Dublins moved to the present home in 1925.
R. V. Dublin began his business career in Mt. Selman in farming and mercantile businesses and operated under the name of Dublin Brothers. In order to sell the farm products, he entered the produce business and shipped to various Texas markets. Soon thereafter, he started operations as a buying broker and traveled to various fruit and vegetable producing sections of Texas and Arkansas. In 1911, Mr. Dublin went to Laredo, Texas, to engage in the marketing of onions and other vegetables grown in that area. From this operation began his business expansion into South Texas.
In 1917, R. V. Dublin and E. M. Shoemaker formed a partnership known as Shoemaker and Dublin. They packed and shipped fruits and vegetables from Jacksonville and Laredo. These two men were prominent in the tomato shipping business in Jacksonville, being pioneers in that industry. They were intrumental in helping to develop the green-wrap tomato industry into one of the top agricultural operations in Jacksonville and Cherokee County. In 1922, they expanded their operations by organizing the Dublin-Shoemaker Grocery Company, a wholesale grocery, located at 110 N. Main Street in Jacksonville. The name later changed to Dublin Grocery Company when Mr. Dublin became the controlling factor of the company. This business was one of the oldest firms in Jacksonville, serving the community for 48 years.
In 1927, Mr. Dublin returned to individual operations and organized The R. V. Dublin Company, a firm engaged in growing and shipping fresh fruits and vegetables from Jacksonville, Laredo and other areas. During Mr. Dublin's lifetime, his headquarters were located in Jacksonville, although he conducted extensive operations in South Texas. He believed in a close family operation and from the start of his business career, linked members of his family with him. As his sons became of age, they joined their father in the various business enterprises.
"Bob" Dublin, as he was affectionaly called, was highly respected by his associates through the United States. Friends described him as "a man of rugged integrity." He was a member of Woodmen of the World, a life member of the Texas Citrus and Vegetable Growers and Shippers Association, being a charter member, and a member of the national United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association. Mr. and Mrs. Dublin have been life-long members of the Methodist Church. Mrs. Dublin served as a Sunday School teacher for many years. She is a life member of the Woman's Society of Christian Service.
Three of the four children of this couple reside in Jacksonville. Gladys Dublin Sames owns Gladys D's Dress Shop. She graduated from Alexander Collegiate Institute (Lon Morris College) and attented The University of Texas at Austin. Paul Leroy Dublin attended Jacksonville schools and graduated from Texas Military Institute in San Antonio, and Southern Methodist University. He was a Navy officer in World War II, and his business was manager of Dublin Grocery Company. Frank Winfield Dublin attended Jacksonville schools and graduated from Texas Military Institute. He attended Southern Methodist University at Georgetown, and was an Air Corps officer in World War II. He was secretary-treasurer of Dublin Grocery Company. Paul and Frank are a nationally-known skeet-shooting brother team. Robert V. Dublin, Jr., a graduate of Jacksonville High School and Southern Methodist University, resides in Laredo and manages the R. V. Dublin Company. He is a past District Governor of Rotary International, and a past president of both the State and national trade organizations of the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Industry.
Four generations of this family claim Jacksonville as home. The Dublins
have been a part of the growing history of Jacksonville for 56 years.
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R. V. Dublin and Mrs. Dublin (Susan Elizabeth Orr) are shown in pictures made the year of their marriage - 1901. |
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Mr. and Mrs. R. V. Dublin celebrating 50th wedding anniversary in 1951. |
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First R. V. Dublin home, North Bolton Street (Dublin Loop), built in 1917. |
Compiled by Greg Smith. If you have any materials you'd like to contribute, please email me.