Edgar L. Hobbs (1837-1913)

HOBBS

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 9/3/2023 at 22:17:55

Edgar Luther Hobbs
(September 27, 1837 – November 23, 1913)

Among the eminent men of Calhoun County who have long been closely and honorably associated with the history of this section of the state is E. L. Hobbs, who was born in New York, in September, 1837, his parents being Benjamin and Lucy (Beaman) Hobbs, the former a native of Massachusett, and the latter of Vermont. They were married in New York and there the father engaged in farming. He was a Whig in politics and he served his country as a soldier of the war of 1812, holding the rank of captain. Both he and his wife spent their days in the Empire state and by their marriage six sons and four daughters were born. Hannah became wife wife of J. F. Short, but both are now deceased. Henry married Asenath Hapgood and is deceased, but his widow resides in New York. Benjamin married Polly Cannon, and died in the Civil war, while his wife has also passed away. Mary became the wife of Ira Brown and they too are deceased. Josiah married Charlotte Barker and they have been called to the home beyond. Thomas married Alvira Keith, and his widow is living in New York. Lucy is the widow of M. Taylor and resides in Lawrence, Kansas. Edward married a Baltimore lady and is living in the Empire state. E. L. is the next younger, and Julia is the widow of Richard Simmons and makes her home in Oskalooosa, Iowa. In the district schools E. L. Hobbs acquired his early education which was supplemented by study in Potsdam Seminary. At the age of twenty-four he left school and joined the Union army, enlisting in the fall of 1861 in Potsdam, as a member of Company A, Ninety-second New York Infantry, with which he went to the south, joining the Army of the Potomac. He participated in all the skirmishes and battles under Generals McClellan, Pope and Burnside and for one year was in the regular service, after which he was assigned to the engineer corps, thus serving for a year when he was honorably
discharged. Returning to St. Lawrence County, New York, Mr. Hobbs first engaged in teaching school but soon afterward sought a home in the west. Before coming to Iowa, however, he was married on the 1st of January, 1863, in New York, to Miss Kate Johnson, who was born in the northern part of the Empire state and was a daughter of D. D. and Caroline (Ingerson) Johnson. Her parents were married in New York where they spent their remaining days, and in their family were four daughters and one son. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs have been born four sons and one daughter: Mary, who is teaching school in Marengo, Iowa: Clarence, who married Estella Hancher, and is a grain buyer and dealer in stock and real estate in Plover, Iowa; Lucy, who is a graduate of the schools of Mt. Vernon,Iowa, and is now engaged in teaching; Julia, who was educated in Mount Vernon and became the wife of Arthur Bragginton, who died in the spring of 1891, four months after their marriage and his widow is now teaching school in Aurora, Illinois; and Edna, who is attending school in Morningside College near Sioux City, Iowa. After his marriage Mr. Hobbs came to Benton County, Iowa, where he engaged in the insurance business. After three years he took up his abode in Calhoun County in 1868 and not only engaged in farming and stock raising here, but was actively and prominently identified with educational interests as a school teacher. In 1871 he was elected superintendent of schools and filled that position most acceptably and creditably for four years. He has taught for a number of years in Calhoun County and his influence and labors in behalf of intellectual development have been most effective and commendable. His own zeal and interest in the work inspired and encouraged his pupils and many owe their interest in school to his efforts. During the greater part of his residence in Calhoun County, he has also been associated with agricultural pursuits and at one time owned and operated over four hundred acres of land. Mr. Hobbs is well fitted for leadership and has taken an active part in molding public thought and opinion in this portion of the state. His fellow citizens, recognizing his worth and ability honored him with election to the state legislature on the Republican ticket and he served as a member of the twenty-second and twenty-third general assemblies of Iowa. While in the house he acted as chairman of the education committee and was also on a number of other important committees. He gave to each question which came up for consideration his careful thought and attention, and his support of a measure indicated his firm belief in its efficiency for the public good. In his county he has served as a member of the board of supervisors and as a member of the school board, as township clerk, and in fact, in almost all local offices. He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and is a most earnest, faithful and consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church in which he is serving as class leader. [Source - Biographical Record of Calhoun County, Iowa, by S. J. Clarke, 1902, p.578]