HOBBS, Walter - 1914

HOBBS, BRYANT, SMITH, GREEN, MILLER

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/9/2009 at 18:12:31

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

WALTER HOBBS.

Since 1898 Walter Hobbs has owned and operated a large farm in Marcus township and by constant application has surrounded himself with an enviable degree of prosperity. He was born in Somersetshire, England, May 13, 1854, and is a son of James and Elizabeth (Bryant) Hobbs, natives of England, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work.

Walter Hobbs acquired his education in his native country and also attended school for a short time after coming to America. He crossed the Atlantic with his brother Joseph, when he was yet in his teens and located at Sterling, Jackson county, Iowa, making his home with an uncle. He began working as a farm laborer, following this occupation for a number of years thereafter, working principally in the employ of his uncle. Eventually he and his brother purchased sixty acres of timber land near Sterling and set about improving and clearing this property. It finally proved too small for two and Joseph Hobbs sold his interest to his brother, who continued to operate the place until 1898, adding to it one hundred and twenty acres adjoining. In the latter year he sold the entire tract and came to Cherokee county, where he purchased one hundred and sixty acres on section 35, Marcus township. He has improved and cultivated this property since that time and is today one of the most successful farmers in this vicinity.

In March, 1884, Mr. Hobbs married Miss Ellen Smith, a daughter of John and Emma (Green) Smith, natives of England, where Mrs. Hobbs was born The parents came to Jackson county, Iowa, at an early day and the father operated a farm there until his death, which occurred in March, 1896, he having survived his wife one year. Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs have become the parents of six children: Fred D., who is assisting in the operation of his fathers farm.; Lulu B., the wife of Harry Miller, a farmer in this county; Alida A., who is engaged in teaching; Emma E., also teaching school; Mabel, at home; and Neva, who died in 1903.

Mr. Hobbs is a stockholder in the Farmers Elevator Company of Marcus. He is a member of the Methodist church and he gives his political allegiance to the republican party, cooperating heartily in all measures of advancement and progress. He is a man of many sterling traits of character, able in business, progressive in citizenhip and at all times reliable and trustworthy.