Thomas H. Tobin 1832-1901

TOBIN, SHEA

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 8/31/2010 at 13:05:55

Palo Alto Reporter
Emmetsburg, Iowa
11 Dec 1902
Page 1

T. H. Tobin Dead.

On Monday a telegram was received from San Jose, California, stating that Mr. T. H. Tobin was very low and his death was only a matter of a few hours. Tuesday another telegram was received stating that he passed away at 8:30 o'clock Monday evening and that the remains would be brought to Emmetsburg for interment. They left there Wednesday evening at 8:30 o'clock and will not arrive in Emmetsburg before Sunday.

The cause of Mr. Tobin's demise was diabetes from which he had been a sufferer for a number of years. Previous to going to California for the last time he had a medical examination and he was then informed of his serious condition. Mr. Tobin was one of the old settlers of Palo Alto county and his death came as a shock to his friends here.

Palo Alto Reporter
Emmetsburg, Iowa
18 Dec 1902
Page 1

Obituary.

Thomas H. Tobin, whose death was mentioned in last week's issue, was born in Auburn, N. Y., in the early part of February in the year 1832 and at the time of his demise he was in the 71st year of his age. In early boyhood he went to the state of Wisconsin where he worked on a farm and grew to manhood. In 1850, when but 18 years of age, he determined to go to California which was then the mecca of all who sought to gain wealth by digging for gold. Mr. Tobin secured an outfit and started for the golden Eldorado, going by boat to Central America and crossing the Isthmus of Nicaragua on foot to the Pacific ocean. He arrived at his destination after considerable hardship, and for five years he dug in the gold mines and succeeded in making for himself a sufficient amount which laid the foundation of the handsome fortune which he left at his death. Returning from California in 1855 to Wisconsin, he remained there for a little over a year when he removed to this county, coming here in the spring of 1857, only one year after the first colony was established in the county. He settled on a (words missing) where he continued to reside until 1873 when he moved to the old town of Emmetsburg and started in business there. The next year the Milwaukee road came through and Mr. Tobin moved his building to the present town and put it on the location where the brick, occupied by Shea & Williams, now stands. For twenty-seven years he was in business in Emmetsburg, having associated with him various persons. The first firm was Tobin, Kirby & DeShields, this was succeeded by Tobin & Laughlin, then Tobin & Neary and, finally, in January, 1886, by Tobin & Shea. The latter firm continued in business until September, 1900, when failing health compelled Mr. Tobin to sell his interest to George Williams.

The deceased was a man of strong, sturdy character and throughout his life had the respect of his fellow men. He was just and upright in his dealings and did his share toward developing the almost unbroken wilderness of the prairie and making it a fit dwelling place for man. He was one of the hardy, strong pioneers of Palo Alto county and his name will ever be associated as one of that band of fearless men who breasted the hardship of pioneer life and paved the way for the future comfort and prosperity of the generation that followed them.

The body of Mr. Tobin arrived here Sunday morning and the funeral was held from Assumption church Monday morning at 10:30 o'clock. The services were conducted by Rev. J. J. Smith and his body laid to rest in the family vault in St. John's cemetery by the side of that of his beloved wife who preceded him to the other shore about six years ago.