F. B. COBB

F. B. Cobb, who is now practically living retired in Tipton, was for several years active engaged in mercantile pursuits in that city and is a representative of one of its prominent old families. He was born there on the 14th of November, 1868, a son of William and Eliza V. (Boynton) Cobb. The early home of the father was in the east, for he was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, February 24, 1838, and when ten years of age accompanied his parents on their removal to New Hampshire and later to Maine. Both he and his father were spinners by trade and the latter was for some time foreman of the Pepperell Mills at Biddeford, Maine, William Cobb working under him during their residence there. Subsequently the family removed to Illinois and in that state he enlisted as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for two years during the Civil war. Owing to trouble with his eyes he was then transferred to Point Lookout, Maryland, where he became commissary of prisoners of war at the federal prison. Previous to this time he had taken part in the siege of Vicksburg and had participated in other engagements. After the close of the war he returned north and in 1865 came to Iowa, locating in Tipton, where he embarked in the dry goods business, being connected with that line of trade up to within two years of his death, when he turned the business over to his sons, F. B. and Brett M. He met with success in his undertakings here and became one of the leading citizens of the town. In connection with his business property he owned a beautiful home situated on five acres of land in the Culbertson and Moore additions to Tipton. He was prominently identified with the early upbuilding and development of Tipton and after a useful and well spent life he passed away on the 18th of April, 1895.

It was in January, 1868, that William Cobb was united in marriage to Miss Eliza V. Boynton, who was born in Ohio in August, 1844, and in childhood came to this state with her parents, Benjamin and Mary (Farnum) Boynton, both now deceased. Her mother was a cousin of John Brown. Mr. Boynton engaged in agricultural pursuits and upon his farm west of town burned the brick for the first courthouse erected in Tipton. Mrs. Cobb is still living. By her marriage she became the mother of four children, namely: F. B., of this review; Brett M., now a resident of Muscatine, Iowa; Gertrude, the wife of William E. Cottrell, of Tipton; and Charles, who died at the age of sixteen years.

In his native city F. B. Cobb grew to manhood and, having completed his education, began his business career as a clerk in his father’s store. Later he became interested in the business, which for five years was conducted under the firm name of Cobb & Son, and when his father retired it became Cobb Brothers. Three years later, however, the name was changed to F. B. Cobb, and our subject continued to engage in mercantile pursuits until February 8, 1910, when he disposed of his stock on account of ill health. For forty years the store had been conducted by some member of the family and in addition to dry goods in later years the firm had added a stock of shoes. Carrying a large and well selected stock, they had built up an excellent trade and stood high in business circles. In 1904 Mr. Cobb erected the present Cobb block for the estate, which is a two story brick structure, seventy by one hundred feet, located on the west side of Cedar street between Hotel Tipton and the city hall. The ground floor is now rented to a mercantile firm and the second floor is divided into office rooms. This is one of the best blocks of the city and would be a credit to a place of much larger size.

On the 25th of June, 1896, Mr. Cobb married Miss Alice Hecht, who was born near Tipton, November 4, 1872, and is a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Denson) Hecht, now residing in Tipton. Mr. and Mrs. Cobb have four children, namely: William H., born June 24, 1897; Carson H., April 8, 1900; Carl, March 11, 1903; and Florence, August 11, 1905.

Having retired from mercantile pursuits he has recently purchased a small farm near Tipton, which he now expects to operate. For about twenty years he served as a member of the volunteer fire company, and as an influential and public-spirited citizen he was called upon to serve as city clerk for two terms and as city treasurer for the same length of time. His political support is given the men and measures of the republican party and fraternally he is identified with Cedar Lodge, No. 11, A. F. & A. M., of which he was secretary for three years and master seven years.