Robert A. Neff
Part 3
Lawton, OK Postcard 1904 Velma and Claudia Aline outside of Show Tent
In 1908, Robert's youngest daughter, Velma was married to Carl Leon Phillips. Velma and Leon were both employed by the Neff Theatre Company as actors, along with sister, Claudia Aline, and her husband, US Allen. In Lawton, in March of 1909, Velma and Leon Phillips welcomed identical twin daughters to the world. Elizabeth Leown and Genieve Aline were the little apples of Robert's eye! As children, both Elizabeth and Genieve joined their parents in performing with the Company. In 1913, another daughter, Velma Ethelyn was born. It was about this time that Robert purchased two private railroad cars in which his company made it's "palatial home on wheels". Between 1913 and 1915, it was not unusual to see the cars sitting on the Rock Island track in the city of Lawton.
Missy (Velma Phillips), Claud, Genieve and Elizabeth Phillips
Rock Island Tracks, Lawton, OK 1915
Rev. Irwin also spoke of a beautiful country residence, which, in my family history, was known as the Big "V" Ranch.
"Colonel Neff owns a farm and beautiful country residence two miles south of Lawton. Here he took a needed rest once every year. He loved Lawton and here he laid down his life, and will be laid to rest in Lawton Cemetery."
Robert A. Neff died of acute auto-toxaemia on December 15, 1915. His wife and his daughters were at his bedside. The best summation of the man and his life was written by his friend, Rev. T.J. Irwin, in the last paragraph of his obituary in the Lawton Constitution on December 16, 1915.
"Colonel Neff always gave good, clean performances, supported by a strong company made up mostly from his own family all of whom are lovers of high-class drama. He never played a whiskey town, nor allowed a drinking man to be connected with the company. Speaking from long personal and intimate acquaintance, Robert A. Neff was a unique character, and a noble Christian man, a prominent and enthusiastic Mason and Odd Fellow who followed the Golden Rule in his daily life. He was a faithful, tender and affectionate husband, and a loving and kind father, and as true a friend as ever lived. Such, in brief our line, the unadorned facts of the career of Robert A. Neff. They illustrate a character rounded, integral and complete. His life was gentle; and the elements so mix'd in him that Nature might stand up and say to the world, "This was a man."
EXERPTS FROM THE BLACKWELL SUN NEWSPAPER
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