(portrait)

Robert Philander Caswell

Last updated 26 Oct 2023 in Spear–Johnson Family.

Individual

Born: 17 Apr 1920 in Berwyn, Cook County, Illinois, United States

Died: 19 Sep 1968 in Lynwood, Los Angeles County, California, United States

Father: Clyde Philander Caswell (1893 – 1974)

Mother: Marguerite Lillian Spies (1892 – 1956)

Supporting evidence for:
name

birth-robert-caswell-1920: Certificate of birth for Robert Philander Caswell (1920); Cook County, Illinois, registered number 102 (registration district 172), Department of Public Health -- Division of Vital Statistics, filed 19 May 1920; certified copy generated 22 April 1941; privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Robert Philander Caswell).

religious-confirmation-robert-caswell-1934: Confirmation certificate, Robert Philander Caswell, 23 Dec 1934; Grace Memorial Church (Los Angeles, California); privately held

Reference Detail: Document text.

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Robert Philander Caswell).

census-us-1930-ps-ca-losangeles-552-12a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles (Assembly District 72), enumeration district 10-552, sheet 12A (form/penned) or page 233A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 7 May 2018) ⟩ "California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles (Districts 501-750) ⟩ District 0552" image 22; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 153 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2339888]

Reference Detail: Line 15, dwelling 243

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Robert P. Caswell).

census-us-1940-ps-ca-losangeles-464-9a: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, enumeration district 60-464, sheet 9A; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 21 Dec 2018) “⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ 60-464” image 17; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 425 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Lines 18-20, household 192

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Robert Caswell).

census-us-1950-p1-ca-losangeles-294b-1: 1950 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Compton, enumeration district 19-294B, sheet 1; 1950 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 2 Sep 2023), “⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Compton ⟩ 19-294B”, image 2; citing “Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950, NARA microfilm publication T628, roll 2131 (of 6373), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Line 4

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Caswell, Robert).

death-robert-caswell-1968: Certificate of Death for Robert Philander Caswell (1968); Los Angeles County Health Department, Los Angeles County, California, registration number unknown, registered 20 Sep 1968, certified copy was generated 24 Sep 1968; photocopy, privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Robert Philander Caswell).

family-robert-caswell-bible-register: Family register page from Robert Caswell bible; privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Robert Philander [Caswell]).

interview-helen-oram-2009: Notes from interview with Helen (Johnson) Caswell Oram, 19 Oct 2009; privately held

Reference Detail: Note #12: Robert Caswell.

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Rbert Caswell).

marriage-caswell-johnson-1959: Marriage certificate for Robert P. Caswell and Helen P. Johnson (1959); Clark County, Nevada, marriage certificate no. 401422, recorded 24 Aug 1959; book 86, number 139485; privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Robert P. Caswell).

media-caswell-wedding-audio-1959: Audio recording of “The Caswell Wedding / Robert and Helen” (1959); 10-inch vinyl record with label, 33rpm; media archive #[TODO-not yet cataloged]; privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Robert Caswell).

misc-robert-caswell-shriner-induction-1956: Shriner Induction Certificate for Robert P. Caswell (1956); El Bekal Temple of Long Beach, California; photograph, privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes name (Robert P. Caswell).

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,
birth

birth-robert-caswell-1920: Certificate of birth for Robert Philander Caswell (1920); Cook County, Illinois, registered number 102 (registration district 172), Department of Public Health -- Division of Vital Statistics, filed 19 May 1920; certified copy generated 22 April 1941; privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes date (April 17, 1920) and location (Berwyn, Cook County, Illi.).

census-us-1930-ps-ca-losangeles-552-12a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles (Assembly District 72), enumeration district 10-552, sheet 12A (form/penned) or page 233A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 7 May 2018) ⟩ "California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles (Districts 501-750) ⟩ District 0552" image 22; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 153 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2339888]

Reference Detail: Line 15, dwelling 243

Comment Detail: Source includes age (9) and location (Illinois). Using his age and the official census date of 1 Apr 1930 gives a birth date range from 2 Apr 1920 to 1 Apr 1921.

census-us-1940-ps-ca-losangeles-464-9a: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, enumeration district 60-464, sheet 9A; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 21 Dec 2018) “⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ 60-464” image 17; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 425 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Lines 18-20, household 192

Comment Detail: BIRTH: Source includes age (19) and location (Illinois). Using his age and the official census date of 1 Apr 1940 gives a birth date range from 2 Apr 1920 to 1 Apr 1921.

census-us-1950-p1-ca-losangeles-294b-1: 1950 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Compton, enumeration district 19-294B, sheet 1; 1950 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 2 Sep 2023), “⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Compton ⟩ 19-294B”, image 2; citing “Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950, NARA microfilm publication T628, roll 2131 (of 6373), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Line 4

Comment Detail: Source includes age (⟨conflict) and location (Illinois). See research notes for conflict details.

death-robert-caswell-1968: Certificate of Death for Robert Philander Caswell (1968); Los Angeles County Health Department, Los Angeles County, California, registration number unknown, registered 20 Sep 1968, certified copy was generated 24 Sep 1968; photocopy, privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes location (Illinois) and date (April 17, 1920).

family-robert-caswell-bible-register: Family register page from Robert Caswell bible; privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes date (April 17, 1920).

interview-helen-oram-2009: Notes from interview with Helen (Johnson) Caswell Oram, 19 Oct 2009; privately held

Reference Detail: Note #12: Robert Caswell.

Comment Detail: Source includes date (17 Apr 1920) and location (Illinois).

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,
death

death-robert-caswell-1968: Certificate of Death for Robert Philander Caswell (1968); Los Angeles County Health Department, Los Angeles County, California, registration number unknown, registered 20 Sep 1968, certified copy was generated 24 Sep 1968; photocopy, privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes location (Lynwood, Los Angeles County, California) and date (September 19, 1968).

interview-helen-oram-2009: Notes from interview with Helen (Johnson) Caswell Oram, 19 Oct 2009; privately held

Reference Detail: Note #12: Robert Caswell.

Comment Detail: Source includes date (19 Sep 1968) and location (Los Angeles [, California]).

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,
father

birth-robert-caswell-1920: Certificate of birth for Robert Philander Caswell (1920); Cook County, Illinois, registered number 102 (registration district 172), Department of Public Health -- Division of Vital Statistics, filed 19 May 1920; certified copy generated 22 April 1941; privately held

Comment Detail: Source identifies Clyde Philander Caswell as the biological father of Robert Philander Caswell.

census-us-1930-ps-ca-losangeles-552-12a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles (Assembly District 72), enumeration district 10-552, sheet 12A (form/penned) or page 233A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 7 May 2018) ⟩ "California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles (Districts 501-750) ⟩ District 0552" image 22; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 153 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2339888]

Reference Detail: Lines 12,15, dwelling 243

Comment Detail: Source identifies Robert P. Caswell as a son of Clyde P. Caswell. The source does not provide sufficient evidence to denote the type of parent/child relationship.

census-us-1940-ps-ca-losangeles-464-9a: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, enumeration district 60-464, sheet 9A; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 21 Dec 2018) “⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ 60-464” image 17; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 425 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Lines 18-20, household 192

Comment Detail: Source identifies Robert Caswell as a son of Clyde Caswell. The source does not provide sufficient evidence to denote the type of parent/child relationship.

death-robert-caswell-1968: Certificate of Death for Robert Philander Caswell (1968); Los Angeles County Health Department, Los Angeles County, California, registration number unknown, registered 20 Sep 1968, certified copy was generated 24 Sep 1968; photocopy, privately held

Comment Detail: Source identifies Clyde P. Caswell as the father of Robert Philander Caswell. The source does not provide sufficient evidence to denote the type of parent/child relationship.

family-robert-caswell-bible-register: Family register page from Robert Caswell bible; privately held

Comment Detail: Source identifies Robert Philander [Caswell] as a child of Clyde Philander Caswell. The source does not provide sufficient evidence to denote the type of parent/child relationship.

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,
mother

birth-robert-caswell-1920: Certificate of birth for Robert Philander Caswell (1920); Cook County, Illinois, registered number 102 (registration district 172), Department of Public Health -- Division of Vital Statistics, filed 19 May 1920; certified copy generated 22 April 1941; privately held

Comment Detail: Source identifies Marguerite Spies Caswell as the biological mother of Robert Philander Caswell.

death-robert-caswell-1968: Certificate of Death for Robert Philander Caswell (1968); Los Angeles County Health Department, Los Angeles County, California, registration number unknown, registered 20 Sep 1968, certified copy was generated 24 Sep 1968; photocopy, privately held

Comment Detail: Source identifies Marguerite Spies as a parent (mother) of Robert Philander Caswell. The source does not provide sufficient evidence to denote the type of parent/child relationship.

family-robert-caswell-bible-register: Family register page from Robert Caswell bible; privately held

Comment Detail: Source identifies Robert Philander [Caswell] as a child of Marguerite Lillian Spies. The source does not provide sufficient evidence to denote the type of parent/child relationship.

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Family

Spouse/Partner: Helen Pearl Johnson (1922 – 2018)

Married: 7 Aug 1959 in Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, United States

Supporting evidence for:
marriage

interview-helen-oram-2009: Notes from interview with Helen (Johnson) Caswell Oram, 19 Oct 2009; privately held

Reference Detail: Note #11: Helen P. Johnson.

Comment Detail: Source includes date (7 Aug 1959) and location (Clark County, Nevada) of marriagbe of Robert P. Caswell and Helen P. Johnson.

marriage-caswell-johnson-1959: Marriage certificate for Robert P. Caswell and Helen P. Johnson (1959); Clark County, Nevada, marriage certificate no. 401422, recorded 24 Aug 1959; book 86, number 139485; privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes location (Clark County, Nevada) and date (7th day of August A.D. 1959).

media-caswell-wedding-audio-1959: Audio recording of “The Caswell Wedding / Robert and Helen” (1959); 10-inch vinyl record with label, 33rpm; media archive #[TODO-not yet cataloged]; privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes date (8/7/59) and location (Wee Kirk o' the Heather Wedding Chapel, Las Vegas, Nevada).

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Miscellaneous Facts

Events

Burial: 21 Sep 1968 at Compton, Los Angeles County, California, United States

Confirmation: at Grace Memorial, 23 Dec 1934 at Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States

Organization: Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Shriner), 2 Jun 1956 at Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California, United States

Mausoleum: Angeles Abbey at Compton, Los Angeles County, California, United States

Supporting evidence for:
events

death-robert-caswell-1968: Certificate of Death for Robert Philander Caswell (1968); Los Angeles County Health Department, Los Angeles County, California, registration number unknown, registered 20 Sep 1968, certified copy was generated 24 Sep 1968; photocopy, privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes mausoleum (Angeles Abbey [in Compton, California]) and date (9/21/68).

religious-confirmation-robert-caswell-1934: Confirmation certificate, Robert Philander Caswell, 23 Dec 1934; Grace Memorial Church (Los Angeles, California); privately held

Reference Detail: Document text.

Comment Detail: Source includes date ("Twenty-third day of December in ... One Thousand Nine Hundred and Thirty-four.") church (Grace Memorial) and location (Los Angeles, Los Angeles Diocess).

misc-robert-caswell-shriner-induction-1956: Shriner Induction Certificate for Robert P. Caswell (1956); El Bekal Temple of Long Beach, California; photograph, privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes date (2nd day of June, 1956), temple (El Bekal), and location (Long Beach, Calif.)

death-robert-caswell-1968: Certificate of Death for Robert Philander Caswell (1968); Los Angeles County Health Department, Los Angeles County, California, registration number unknown, registered 20 Sep 1968, certified copy was generated 24 Sep 1968; photocopy, privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes mausoleum (Angeles Abbey [in Compton, California]).

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Attributes

Residence: at Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States

Residence: at Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States

Residence: at Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States

Occupation: construction engineer for an aircraft company

Residence: at Compton, Los Angeles County, California, United States

Residence: at Compton, Los Angeles County, California, United States

Occupation: insurance agent

Residence: at La Habra, Orange County, California, United States

Supporting evidence for:
attributes

census-us-1930-ps-ca-losangeles-552-12a: 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles (Assembly District 72), enumeration district 10-552, sheet 12A (form/penned) or page 233A (stamped); 1930 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 7 May 2018) ⟩ "California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles (Districts 501-750) ⟩ District 0552" image 22; citing “Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 153 (of 2667), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.” [FHL microfilm 2339888]

Reference Detail: Line 15, dwelling 243

Comment Detail: Source includes census date (1 Apr 1930) and location (Los Angeles City, County: Los Angeles, State: California).

census-us-1940-ps-ca-losangeles-464-9a: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, enumeration district 60-464, sheet 9A; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 21 Dec 2018) “⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ 60-464” image 17; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 425 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Lines 18-20, household 192

Comment Detail: Source includes date (1 Apr 1935) and location ("same place" [Incorporated Place: Los Angeles, County: Los Angeles, State: California]).

census-us-1940-ps-ca-losangeles-464-9a: 1940 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, enumeration district 60-464, sheet 9A; 1940 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 21 Dec 2018) “⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ 60-464” image 17; citing “Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 425 (of 4643), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Lines 18-20, household 192

Comment Detail: Source includes date (1 Apr 1940) and location (Incorporated Place: Los Angeles, County: Los Angeles, State: California).

census-us-1950-p1-ca-losangeles-294b-1: 1950 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Compton, enumeration district 19-294B, sheet 1; 1950 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 2 Sep 2023), “⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Compton ⟩ 19-294B”, image 2; citing “Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950, NARA microfilm publication T628, roll 2131 (of 6373), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Line 4

Comment Detail: Source includes official census date (1 Apr 1950), occupation (Construction Engineer) and business/industry (Aircraft Co.).

census-us-1950-p1-ca-losangeles-294b-1: 1950 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Compton, enumeration district 19-294B, sheet 1; 1950 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 2 Sep 2023), “⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Compton ⟩ 19-294B”, image 2; citing “Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950, NARA microfilm publication T628, roll 2131 (of 6373), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Line 4

Comment Detail: Source includes official census date (1 Apr 1950) and location (Compton, Los Angeles County, California).

marriage-caswell-johnson-1959: Marriage certificate for Robert P. Caswell and Helen P. Johnson (1959); Clark County, Nevada, marriage certificate no. 401422, recorded 24 Aug 1959; book 86, number 139485; privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes location (Compton, California) on marriage date (7th day of August A.D. 1959).

death-robert-caswell-1968: Certificate of Death for Robert Philander Caswell (1968); Los Angeles County Health Department, Los Angeles County, California, registration number unknown, registered 20 Sep 1968, certified copy was generated 24 Sep 1968; photocopy, privately held

Comment Detail: Source includes occupation (insurance agent) and relative start date (6 months in this occupation, from document dated 19 September 1968) that implies a start date of about March 1968.

death-robert-caswell-1968: Certificate of Death for Robert Philander Caswell (1968); Los Angeles County Health Department, Los Angeles County, California, registration number unknown, registered 20 Sep 1968, certified copy was generated 24 Sep 1968; photocopy, privately held

Reference Detail: Source includes date (September 19, 1968) and location (La Habra, Orange County, California).

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General Notes and Anecdotes

Robert Cawell and Helen Johnson were engaged for many years. Although they weren't married until 1959, Robert is identified as Helen's fiance in an obituary for Helen's brother Harold in January 1948. [marriage-caswell-johnson-1959, obituary-harold-johnson-1948]

After George Tirebiter III was retired as USCs official mascot in 1953, and the one-season

Supporting evidence for:
general notes

marriage-caswell-johnson-1959: Marriage certificate for Robert P. Caswell and Helen P. Johnson (1959); Clark County, Nevada, marriage certificate no. 401422, recorded 24 Aug 1959; book 86, number 139485; privately held

(no additional information)

obituary-harold-johnson-1948: Obituary for Harold K. Johnson (1948); “In Memoriam (Harold K. Johnson),” Grace Notes (Los Angeles, California), 25 Jan 1948 (Sunday), page 5, column 1 [This is a bulletin of the Grace Lutheran Church.]

(no additional information)

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Research Notes (Conflicts/Spelling/Followup)

CONFLICTS

Birth Date: This database uses 17 Apr 1920. The 1950 U.S. Census gives an age of (28), which, when applied to the official census date of 1 Apr 1950, gives a birth date range from 2 Apr 1921 to 1 Apr 1922. [census-us-1950-p1-ca-losangeles-294b-1]

Supporting evidence for:
research notes

census-us-1950-p1-ca-losangeles-294b-1: 1950 U.S. Census, population schedule, California, Los Angeles County, Compton, enumeration district 19-294B, sheet 1; 1950 United States Federal Census, database with images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com: accessed 2 Sep 2023), “⟩ California ⟩ Los Angeles ⟩ Compton ⟩ 19-294B”, image 2; citing “Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950, NARA microfilm publication T628, roll 2131 (of 6373), National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.”

Reference Detail: Line 4

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Sources

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