GOBBLE, Lee Taylor - 1912 Bio (1859-1930)

GOBBLE, TAYLOR, FLINDT, SCHNEIDER, JOHNSON, ATCHISON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 9/15/2007 at 11:00:13

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 433-436

Lee T. GOBBLE, a resident of Fairfield since 1896, during which period he has been actively connected with the banking and mercantile interests of the city, being now senior member in the firm of GOBBLE & Heer, clothing and men's furnishing goods, was born in Abingdon, Jefferson county, Iowa, December 18, 1859, a son of T. W. and J. E. (TAYLOR) GOBBLE. The former was a native of Virginia, born August 20, 1818, and the latter was born in England, March 1, 1839. T. W. GOBBLE continued his residence in the Old Dominion until twenty-six years of age when he came to Jefferson county, in 1844, and took up his abode in Abingdon, where for sixty years he engaged in merchandising. His wife became a resident of Nauvoo, Illinois, after removing with her parents to that place during her early girlhood, afterward going to Granby, Missouri, where she remained until she became a young lady. She then came with her foster parents to Polk township, Jefferson county, and was there married. By a former marriage, Mr. GOBBLE had six children, four of whom are now living and by his second marriage, to Miss TAYLOR, there were born seven children of whom six yet survive.

Lee T. GOBBLE, the eldest of the second family, spent his youthful days in the usual manner of farm lads, to whom carefully alternated play and work brings a well rounded development. In 1882 he took up the occupation of merchandising in Abingdon in connection with his father and there remained actively in business for fourteen years, or until 1896, when he transferred his ineterests to his younger brother and removed to Fairfield. He entered business circles of this city as a clerk in the Iowa State Savings Bank and thus served until elected assistant cashier, while subsequently he was chosen to the office of second vice president. He continued in that position until 1899, when, in connection with Charles A. Heer, he purchased their present clothing business from the W. H. Booker estate. Under the firm style of GOBBLE & Heer they have since conducted a well established business in clothing and men's furnishings, conveniently located on the north side of the square. They have a well selected stock and in the conduct of the business employ only such methods as will bear the closest investigation and scrutiny. Mr. GOBBLE is also the owner of a farm property to which he gives his personal supervision and he is likewise president of the Fairfield Farm Company, Incorporated, which owns a rice plantation in Arkansas county, Arkansas, while in connection with C. H. Gage he is interested in rice lands in Poinsett county, Arkansas. In business affairs he is both forceful and resourceful and his enterprise enables him to overcome difficulties and obstacles, while his industry promoted that constant progress which is bringing him to the goal of success.

In 1882 Mr. GOBBLE was married to Miss Mary M. FLINDT, who was born in Abingdon, this county, on the 12th of November, 1860, and is a daughter of John D. and Laura (SCHNEIDER) FLINDT. Her father was born in Holstein, Germany, May 20, 1819, a son of K. FLINDT, a native of that place. In 1849 the father came to America, settling in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, where he followed the wagon-maker's trade. After a residence of four years in the Keystone state he removed westward to Iowa and took up his abode in a house in Abingdon, which remained his home until his death, on the 30th of December, 1893. His wife, who was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, February 6, 1832, was of German lineage. They were married in Marshall county, West Virginia, November 17, 1851, both being residents of that county at the time. The death of Mrs. FLINDT occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. GOBBLE, January 30, 1899. Unto Mr. and Mrs. FLINDT were born three children: Sarah, the wife of Charles H. GOBBLE, an insurance man of Muscatine, Iowa; Mary, the wife of Lee T. GOBBLE; and John W. FLINDT, a grocer, of Abingdon, who married Lilly JOHNSON, a daughter of M. J. JOHNSON, of Fairfield. Unto Mr. and Mrs. GOBBLE have been born two sons, Robert Bruce and Carl Flindt. The former, born February 12, 1883, is associated with his father in business here. He married Vera ATCHISON, of Albia, Iowa, and they have one child, John Robert. Carl Flindt, born September 7, 1885, is now professor of animal husbandry in Purdue University, of Lafayette, Indiana. He is a graduate of the Ames Agricultural College, of the class of 1910. Both Mr. and Mrs. GOBBLE are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Fairfield and he is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In church work Mrs. GOBBLE has been particularly helpful, acting as a teacher in the Sunday school from early womanhood, and for the past twelve years she has been president of the Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal church of this city. She is also a member of the Fairfield Ladies' Improvement Society, and Social and Literary Clubs, and is widely recognized as a woman of innate refinement and liberal culture, well qualified to take a leading position in the social circles of the city. Mrs. GOBBLE has for years been a contributor to various papers and magazines, her pen name of Margaret FLINDT, which is a part of her maiden name, being well known in household and farm papers. She was a member of the first board of directors of the Fairfieid Chautauqua Association and was a member of that board when the park was purchased, and permanent improvements made. She is especially interested in all educational and philanthropic lines of work.

Mr. GOBBLE has been associated with a number of interests of a semi-public character wherein the public has been a direct beneficiary. His deep interest in the cause of public education was manifest in his nine years of service as a member of the school board, during which period the Lincoln school building was erected. His labors in behalf of the system of public instruction here have been far reaching and beneficial. He was also one of the first subscribers to the Chautauqua Association and he acted as one of the committee to raise a bonus to secure the establishment of the plant of the Iowa Malleable Iron Company in Fairfield. He also acted as a member of the committee planning for the rebuilding of Parsons College. He stands always in favor of progress and improvement to the extent of being willing to give his active aid and cooperation to various measures for the general good. His work has been a tangible asset for advancement and for business enterprises as well, which, after all, constitutes the real foundation of a city's growth and prosperity.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.