John Hobbs

HOBBS, HOPPER, ROHOTTHAM, STEVENS, PEEL, WILSON, HOWARD

Posted By: Sharon Elijah (email)
Date: 7/26/2018 at 09:27:18

7 February 1895 - West Branch Times

Mr. John Hobbs, one of the best known and widely respected citizens of West Branch, Cedar county, died suddenly on Saturday morning February 2nd 1895.

Mr. Hobbs was born in Holdsworthy Parish, Devonshire, England, ninety two years ago. He was married to Elizabeth Hopper of Kilkampton Parish in 1928, his wife died in 1853; to them were born ten children, the following surviving Elizabeth Howard, still residing in England; Jane Rohottham, Anna Stevens, Emma Peel, Tabitha Wilson, Stephen H. Hobbs.

Mr. Hobbs arrived in New York, Sept. 19th, 1856, from there he went to Bomanville Ont. Canada, where he remained two years and in 1858, he came to Cedar Co. Iowa, the following year he removed to Johnson Co., and remained until 1867 when he returned to this county and purchased the farm upon which he has since resided.

Mr. Hobbs was raised in the English church, but early in life came in contact with the Wesleyan Methodists in England with which he connected himself before he was of age, and for over seventy years he was a faithful member of the Methodist communion. Mr. Hobbs was an earnest christian and a well versed and devoted Methodist. As a father he was kind and considerate; the relations between him and his children were tender in the extreme. His sudden death was to him sudden Glory. The funeral services were held in the M.E. church Tuesday at 2 p.m. conducted by Rev. W. S. Craft of Cedar Rapids, assisted by Rev. J. M. Wilkinson and Rev. J. Y. Hoover. Rev. Craft preached the sermon from the words of Job 18:14, "It shall bring him to the King of terrors," and from I Cor. 14 47 "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ," The speaker contrasted man's view of death as evinced by the first text, with the view as brought to light through the gospel of Christ. He paid tribute to the worth of Father Hobbs, having been his pastor for five years, and referred to his quiet and peaceful death as a beautiful way to die, which reminds one of the words of Bryant: "By an unfaltering trust, approach thy grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams."

The remains of this venerable Father in Isreal were carried to the cemetery followed by a large company of sorrowing relatives and friends.