James W. Hobbs, one of the pioneers of Carroll County, and a prosperous agriculturist of Jasper Township, was born in Greene County, Ohio, November 2, 1837, a son of William and Sarah (Chalk) Hobbs, who were natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. They were the parents of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters, our subject being the ninth child. In early life he learned habits of industry and self-reliance, which have been of lasting benefit to him. When quite young he was obliged to maintain himself, and left his home for the home of a Mr. Thornburg, with whom he lived for four years. At the age of nineteen years he began working by the month, which he followed five years. Mr. Hobbs has been three times married, the maiden name of his first wife being Matilda Smith, and for his second wife he married Nancy J. Pucket. For his third wife he married Miss Sarah English, and to this union have been born two children — Charles Blaine and John William. By his first marriage he had two children — Oscar, who died in infancy, and Erastus L., living in Western Nebraska on a farm of his own. By his second marriage he had four children — Ada J., Elias Grant, Clara Bell and James F. In 1864 Mr. Hobbs immigrated to Carroll County, Iowa, when he settled on the farm where he has since made his home, then being in a state of nature. The first years spent in Carroll County he was engaged in farming, clearing and improving his land during the summer months, and in the winter seasons trapping and hunting. His milling was done at Oxenford’s mill, in Calhoun County, and his trading was done principally at Boone. By industry and good management he has met with success in his agricultural pursuits, and accumulated his present fine property, which consists of 572 acres of rich bottom hand well watered by Coon River, 240 acres being on section 8, Jasper Township. In connection with his general farming he is engaged in stock-raising, and is making a specialty of short-horn cattle. He has a good substantial residence, and one of the largest barns in Carroll County, being 72x108 feet in size, and other out-buildings in good condition. Mr. Hobbs is an Odd Fellow, and a member in good standing of Lake City Lodge, No. 330. In politics he affiliates with the Republican party, and received the nomination for Representative to the General Assembly in the fall of 1883, but the opposing party being largely in the majority he was defeated, although he ran far ahead of his ticket. He is really a self-made man, having had very limited facilities for acquiring an education when young. Few men are as well posted on the leading topics of the day. Jasper Township has no better man to represent it than Mr. J. W. Hobbs.

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