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         ORMAN E. HOBBIE, of the firm of Fulton & Hobbie, insurance, real-estate, loan and collection agents, of Columbus Junction, was born in Delaware County, N. Y., Dec. 28, 1834, and is a son of Joshua K. and Eliza (Reynolds) Hobbie. His father was a native of the same State and county, and his mother was also born in Delaware county, N. Y. Our subject was brought up on his father’s farm and received an academic education. In October, 1856, he went to Rock County, Wis., and engaged in teaching school. The following spring he went to Minneapolis, remaining there only a few months, when he went to Rock Island, Ill., and again engaged in teaching in Rock Island County until March, 1860, when the gold excitement of Pike’s Peak attracted his attention, and he joined a party which made the journey to that region. Remaining in the mountains until the following October, he then returned to the States, locating in Taylor County, Iowa, where he taught school the following winter. In the spring of 1861 Mr. Hobbie removed to Jefferson County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming, spending the two succeeding winters in teaching the Salina school. He next went to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he was engaged in the live-stock and butchering business, and later was employed by J. J. Millard & Co. in the lumber business until the spring of 1870, when he came to Columbus Junction and established a lumber-yard, known under the firm name of George Millard & Co., which he conducted for six years. This was the first lumber-yard at this point. Mr. Hobbie was next engaged in the grain and live-stock business until the spring of 1886, when he went to Lenora, Kan., there engaging in the live-stock and lumber trade until August, 1887. Returning to Columbus Junction, he has since been one of its prominent residents. In May, 1888, he bought Mr. Russell’s interest in the insurance business, and formed the existing partnership with C. M. Fulton.

On the 15th of March, 1864, in Jefferson County, Iowa, Mr. Hobbie was united in marriage with Miss Harriet C. Chandler, a native of Wisconsin, a daughter of Orlando Chandler, and a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They have three children, daughters—Montie E., Ola E. and May E. In his political sentiments Mr. Hobbie is a Republican, and socially, is a Knight Templar Mason, a member of Columbus City Lodge No. 107, A. F. & A. M., of Columbus City; of Composite Chapter No. 91, R. A. M., and of DeMolay Commandery No. 1, K. T., of Muscatine, Iowa.