HOBBS, WESLEY C.

HOBBS, SMITH, CASEY, WILSON

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/19/2019 at 14:50:54

MADISON TOWNSHIP.
P. O. FORT MADISON

HOBBS, WESLEY C, of the firm of Casey & Hobbs, attorneys and counselors at law ; was born in Des Moines Co., Iowa, Feb. 3, 1842; he was brought up and attended school there, and then entered the University at Burlington, depending upon his own exertions; he engaged in teaching to enable him to complete his education. At the opening of the rebellion, in 1861, he left school and enlisted as a private, in Company K., 6th Regiment, I. V. I.; he remained with his regiment about six months, the most of the time in Missouri, where he participated in Fremont's campaign against Price, marching through Missouri and over the Ozark Mountains, driving the rebel forces into Arkansas ; being rendered unfit for service by the return of his old complaint, inflammatory rheumatism, he was discharged in January, 1862, and, returning home, engaged in teaching ; three months later, upon the call of President Lincoln for 300,000 men, he discontinued his school and assisted in raising Company K, 25th I. V. I.; was elected Second Lieutenant of the same ; he was afterward promoted to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of his Captain ; he commanded his company during the three-days fight in the rear of Vicksburg, under Gen. Sherman in 1862 ; and also participated in the battle of Arkansas Post, on the 11th of January, 1863; at both of these battles, his uniform was pierced with balls, and at the latter his regiment sustained a heavy loss of men ; among the many killed was Mr. George W. Wilson, a brother in-law of Capt. Hobbs; resigning his commission soon after this, he returned home and began the study of law, and, in November, 1864, was admitted to the bar by the District Court of Henry Co., then sitting at Mt. Pleasant, Hon. Francis Springer, presiding Judge. He soon afterward established himself in practice at Ft. Madison, and in 1870, was elected City Attorney without opposition ; during the succeeding two years, he was Deputy Clerk of the Courts; in 1873, he formed a partnership with Hon. Judge Casey, with whom he has since continued in practice, building up an extensive and prosperous business. Mr. Hobbs was also, in 1873, elected President of the School Board, and in the year following, County Superintendent of Public Schools ; in 1875, he was elected, by a very large majority, to the General Assembly of Iowa : he united with the Baptist Church at the age of 17, and still continues a worthy member of that body ; he is also a member of the Odd Fellows' and Masonic fraternities ; in 1876, he was District Deputy Grand Master of the former, and at the present time is Master of the Masonic Lodge of Ft. Madison. Mr. Hobbs was married August 24. 1862, to Miss Sallie Estella Smith, a lady of fine native abilities and rare accomplishments ; of the children who have been born to them, a daughter of 10, and a son, 8 years, are now living.

Source: BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY
HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY IOWA
CHICAGO: WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY, 1879

Transcription typed/proofed as article was originally published in 1879