Robert Dalton Witten was named after his uncle, Robert "Barton" Hester and after the outlaw, Bob Dalton. He was called Robert by his family and early friends, but after moving to Colorado, he was known far and wide as Bob.
Barton was the younger brother of Nancy Jane "Nannie" Hester, Robert's mother. He was very good friends with Robert's father, Thomas Franklin "Frank" Witten. He lived with them and their family for several years while in his early twenties.
Bob Dalton was a lawman turned outlaw and a member of the Dalton Gang. The gang was infamous in the Indian and Kansas Territories, between 1890 and 1892, for being young and astute bank and train robbers. They were also accused of making illegal trades with the Indians. Bob was considered an excellent horseman and marksman. The Dalton brothers were known for their love of family, especially for each other. It's likely Frank admired the outlaw, as a young 10 year old boy, having just moved to Indian Territory from Texas with his family in 1890.
Here is a list of people that were named after him and/or his namesake. There may be others that need to be added.
1) Robert Glen Taylor - his nephew, the son of his sister, Opal Lee Witten Taylor.
2) Robert Beryl Haggard - the son of his best friend, Graden Beryl Haggard.
3) Robert Charles Witten - his son
4) Bobby Gene Thomas - his nephew, the son of his sister, Ethel Elizabeth Witten Thomas.
5) Robert Christopher Witten - his grandson, the son of his son, Robert Charles Witten.
6) Robert Jonathan Thadeus Turnbow - his grandnephew, the grandson of his brother Isaac James Witten and the son of his niece, Catherine Jane Witten Turnbow.
7) Chase Dalton Witten - his great-grandson, the grandson of his son, Randy James Witten and the son of his grandson, Casey Scott Witten.
8) Hank Robert Elliott - his great-grandson, the grandson of his daughter, Bessie Colette Witten Hayley and the son of his granddaughter, Courtney June Hayley Elliott.
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