Hon. John Benham Hobbs

From The (Marshalltown, Iowa) Times-Republican, of Feb. 24, 1905:

John B. Hobbs Dead: First County Judge and Old Resident of the County Died this Afternoon of Cancer at His Home in Albion.

John B. Hobbs, familiarly known as "Uncle" John Hobbs, the first judge elected in Marshall County, and for more than half a century a resident of Iowa Township, died at 1 o'clock this afternoon at his home in Albion. Death was due to cancer, with which he had been suffering a long time. Judge Hobbs was 92 years of age, and had been a resident of the county since 1850.

--

From the Evening Times-Republican of March 3, 1905:

Death of John B. Hobbs: First County Judge Eulogized by his two associates of early days.

The recent death of Hon. John B. Hobbs, of Albion, the first county judge of the county, brought about a reunion that was unique when, at the funeral, there were present, one to preach the funeral sermon, and one to read the obituary, the other two county judges who succeeded in turn Judge Hobbs in the early day when judges were elected in the county, instead of in judicial districts. Judge Hobbs' associates on the bench were Rev. W. C. Smith of Albion, and William Battin of this city. Mr. Battin, in reminiscing upon the early days, has prepared the following concerning the life of Mr. Hobbs:

"When Iowa Territory was a great buffalo pasture, where also the elk and the deer and the wolf roamed at will, and the Indians were the chief inhabitants; when the streems were without bridges, and the prairires without roads; when the paths of wild animals led to the riffles in the streams where a safe fording place might be found, and to the ridges, avoiding swamps and sloughs, it was then that our deceased friend came with his family to Iowa.

"His early days were spent in the state of Virginia. Their chief products at that time, which they could sell for money, were ginseng, tobacco, and whisky, but our friend Hobbs did not chew nor smoke tobacco, nor drink whisky.

"About seven years previous to his marriage, he worked on a farm in summer at $10 a month, and in winter worked for his board and attended school. During this time, he saved enough out of his earnings to buy a team and outfit, his wedding clothes, and $200. With the latter, he bought his first quarter section of Iowa land, in Washington County. Ten years later, he sold out and came to Marshall County, with $2000 in money, and settled near Albion. Soon after this, a neighbor living six miles away was taken violently ill. Mr. Hobbs and Phillip Ballard were sent for and went and stayed with the neighbor 'til he died. There was no undertaker in reach, no loose boards to be found, and no mechanic to make a coffin. What should they do? They cut up Mr. Hobbs' wagon box and made a coffin of the lunber, and thus provided for what was probably the first white funeral in Marshall County.

"Mr. Hobbs soon made the acquaintance of Mr. William Proctor, a capitalist from the east, who had just become owner of 10,000 acres of land in this county. This land Judge Hobbs bought on easy terms and verbal contract, paying down the $2000 and arranging time and terms on the balance. Mr. Proctor was to visit the west once a year and take such payments as coul be made from sales of land. There were no banks nor railroads here then. At one time, Mr. Hobbs kept $4000 in gold in an iron Dutch ove, buried under a heavy stone doorstep, where it stayed afe until Mr. Proctor came from the east on his next annual visit.

"These incidents, which occurred during the life of our friend, who has just left us, are interesting as links in our chain of history. They show that success follows persistent effort and saving by the young man, and the wonderful progress and growth of our country in 50 years, which seems more wonderful to the young that to the few remaining who have witnessed it

The funeral of Hon. John B. Hobbs was held at the family home in Albion. The exercises were conducted by Rev. William C. Smith, of Albion, ex-county judge of Marshall County. By his side was ex-County Judge William Battin, of Marshalltown, who read the obituary as follows:

"John Benham Hobbs was born in Lee County, Virginia, Aug. 4th, 1812. He emigrated to Indiana in 1831, where he was married to Emily Hasty, March 13th, 1839. Eight children were born to them. One died in invancy, Albert died in the army in 1863, and Mrs. John Fraley died in November 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs came to Iowa, which was then a territory, in 1840, and settled in Washington County, near the town of Kalona. In 1850, they moved to Marshall County, and settled west of the town of Albion, where they lived five years. They then improved a farm two miles southeast of Albion. Twenty years ago they moved to Albion, where they have lived since.

"In his discourse, Judge Smith made the statement that the deceased was the first county judge of Marshall County, that he resigned in 1853, and engaged in improving land and making a home; that he was succeeded by the one speaking who continued in the office 'til Jan. 1, 1860, when he was succeeded by William Battin,, all three of whom are now present, two of us to pay our last respects to our much esteemed predecessor.

"Those who best knew the deceased can most cheerfully testify to his kindly disposition, and hearty and respectful consideration of his fellows - to his industry, honesty, and integrity, and ready willingness to concede the intelligence and honesty of purpose of those whom he came in contact."

The Rev. William Smith further said that he had had many interviews with the deceased in various times of their lives, concerning the obligations and requirements of the Christian life, and while their views were not entirely concurrent, each could credit the sincerity of the other, and both could agree that in the fulfillment of Christian obligations, much more results from what we do and our motive for doing ti, than from what we may say or believe. Some familiar hymns were sung, and a profusion of flowers decorated the coffin.

--

• Created from MyHeritage Match via mother Susan Hobbs (born Helvey) by SmartCopy: Sep 3 2014, 22:09:13 UTC

  ---

• Residence: Iowa Township, Marshall, Iowa, United States - 1860
• Residence: Iowa Township, Marshall, Iowa, United States - 1870
• Residence: Iowa, Marshall, Iowa, United States - 1880