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John Benham Hobbs

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John Benham Hobbs

Birth	:	4 Aug 1812 Lee County, Virginia, USA
Death	:	24 Feb 1905 Albion, Marshall County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Geelong Eastern Cemetery, Geelong, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate	:	-38.1640100, 144.3828600
Description	:	John Benham Hobbs was the son of Absalom and Susan (nee Helvey, daughter of Henry Helvey) Hobbs. His father Absalom had been married twice. Absalom's second wife was Mary Olinger. John's half brother DeWitt Clinton Hobbs's obituary that ran 1 Dec 1926 in the Tipton Daily Tribune describes in detail all the siblings of the brothers. Obituary of John Benham Hobbs, that appeared in the Marshalltown Times-Republican, March 03, 1905. "Death of John B. Hobbs. "First County Judge Eulogized by His Two Associates of Early Days. "The recent death of Hon. John B.... Read More	John Benham Hobbs was the son of Absalom and Susan (nee Helvey, daughter of Henry Helvey) Hobbs. His father Absalom had been married twice. Absalom's second wife was Mary Olinger. John's half brother DeWitt Clinton Hobbs's obituary that ran 1 Dec 1926 in the Tipton Daily Tribune describes in detail all the siblings of the brothers. Obituary of John Benham Hobbs, that appeared in the Marshalltown Times-Republican, March 03, 1905. "Death of John B. Hobbs. "First County Judge Eulogized by His Two Associates of Early Days. "The recent death of Hon. John B. Hobbs, of Albion, the first county judge of the county, brought about reunion that was unique when, at the funeral, there were present, one to preach the funeral sermon and one to read the obituary, the other two county judges, who succeeded in turn Judge Hobbs in the early day when judges were elected in the county, instead of in judicial districts. Judge Hobbs' associates on the bench were Rev. W. C. smith, of Albion, and William Battin, of this city. Mr. Battin, in reminiscing upon the early days, has prepared the following concerning the life of Mr. Hobbs. "When Iowa territory was a great buffalo pasture, where also the elk and the deer and the wolf roamed at will, and the Indians were the chief inhabitants; when the streams were without bridges, and the prairies without roads; when the paths of wild animals led to the riffles in the streams where a safe fording place might be found, and to the ridges, avoiding swamps and sloughs, it was then that our deceased friend came with his family to Iowa. "His early days were spent in the state of Virginia. their chief products at that time, which they could sell for money were ginseng, tobacco and whisky, but our friend Hobbs did not chew nor smoke tobacco, nor drink whisky. "About seven years previous to his marriage, he worked on a farm in summer at $10 a month, and in winter worked for his board and attended school. During this time he saved enough out of his earnings to buy a team and outfit, his wedding clothes and $200. With the latter he bought his first quarter section of Iowa land, in Washington county. Ten years later he sold out and came to Marshall County, with $2,000 in money, and settled near Albion. Soon after this a neighbor living six miles away was taken violently ill. Mr. Hobbs and Phillip Ballard were sent for and went and stayed with the neighbor till he died. Tthere was no undertaker in reach, no loose boards to be found and no mechanic to make a coffin. What should they do? They cut up Mr. Hobbs' wagon box and made a coffin of the lumber, and thus provided for what was probably the first white funeral in Marshall County. "Mr. Hobbs soon made the acquaintance of Mr. William Proctor, a capitalist from the east, who had just become owner of 10,000 acres of land in this county. This land Judge Hobbs bought on easy terms and verbal contract, paying down the $2,000 and arranging time and terms on the balance. Mr. Proctor was to visit the west once a year and take such payments as could be made from sales of land. There were no banks nor railroads here then. At one time Mr. Hobbs kept $4,000 in gold in an iron Dutch oven, buried under a heavy stone doorstep, where it staid safely till Mr. Proctor came from the east on his next annual visit. "These incidents, which occurred during the life of our friend, who has just left us, are interesting as links in our chain of history. They show that success follows persistent effort and saving by the young man, and the wonderful progress and growth of our country in fifty years, which seems more wonderful to the young than to the few remaining who have witnessed it." "The funeral of Hon. John B. Hobbs was held Sunday at the family home in Albion. the exercises were conducted by Rev. William C. Smith, of Albion, ex-county judge of Marshall county. By his side was ex-County Judge William Battin, of Marshalltown, who read the obituary as follows: "John Benham Hobbs was born in Lee County, Virginia, Aug. 4th, 1812. He emigrated to Indiana in 1831, where he was married to Emily Hasty March 13, 1839. Eight children were born to them. One died in infancy, Albert died in the army, in 1863, and Mrs. John Fraley died in November, 1904. Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs came to Iowa, which was then a territory, in 1840, and settled in Washington county near the town of Kalona. In 1850 they moved to Marshall county and settled west of the town of Albion, where they lived five years. they then improved a farm two miles southeast of Albion. Twenty years ago they moved to Albion, where they have since lived. "In his discourse Judge Smith made the statement that the deceased was the first county judge of Marshall county, that he resigned in 1853, and engaged in improving land and making a home; that he was succeeded by the one speaking who continued in the office till January 1, 1860, when he was succeeded by William Battin, all three of whom are now present, two of us to pay our last respects to our much esteemed predecessor. "Those who best knew the deceased can most cheerfully testify to his kindly disposition and hearty and respectful consideration of his fellows - to his industry, honest and integrity, and ready willingness to concede the intelligence and honesty of purpose of those whom he came to contact. "The Rev. William Smith further said that he had had many interviews with the deceased in various times of their lives, concerning the obligations and requirements of the Christian life, and while their views were not entirely concurrent, each could credit the sincerity of the other, and both could agree that in the fulfilment of Christian obligations, much more results from what we do, and our motive for doing it, than from what we may say or believe. Some familiar hymns were sung, and a profusion of flowers decorated the coffin." A note written in John Benham Hobbs' own hand states that he left Virginia, September 23, 1832, ". . . . to Marion Co., Indiana, landing there on first day of October 32. . . . remained in the vacinity of Indianapolis untill [sic] the 14th of July 1839. . . . July 14 imigrated for the Iowa Territory and landing in Washington Co; on first day of August 1839; and remaining there untill 14th of October 1850; thence came to Marshall Co. . ." Johns grandfather Vincent Hobbs is a recognized Patriot of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Note, DAR recognizes him for Patriotic Service at this time and not for actual military service as noted on the memorial page. The Hobbs have a colorful history...descendants are urged to research to find out more. john's wife Emily is also the granddaughter of John Hasty, another recognized Patriot by DAR. He was a Private during American Revolution (enlisted in Virginia) He served under Capt.'s Blackwell and Marshall as well as Col's Morgan, Febiger, and Heth. If interested in joining DAR, please contact a local chapter.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is John Benham Hobbs's memorial?
John Benham Hobbs's memorial is located at: Geelong Eastern Cemetery, Geelong, Greater Geelong City, Australia.
When did John Benham Hobbs death?
John Benham Hobbs death on 24 Feb 1905 in Albion, Marshall County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the John Benham Hobbs's memorial?
Latitude: -38.1640100
Longitude: 144.3828600

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Emily Hasty Hobbs

(1820 - 1905)

Siblings

Rebecca Hobbs Orr

(1790 - 1855)

Levi Thomas Hobbs

(1809 - 1863)

David C Hobbs Sr.

(1837 - 1925)

Children

Sarah Jane Hobbs Collar

(1840 - 1929)

Lois Ann Hobbs Fraley

(1852 - 1904)

Charles Perry Hobbs

(1854 - 1931)

John Fremont Hobbs

(1857 - 1948)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Geelong Eastern Cemetery
Geelong, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.1640100, 144.3828600

2. Old Geelong Gaol
Geelong, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.1550179, 144.3709627

3. Gange Burial Ground
Clifton Springs, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.1542950, 144.3457500

4. All Saints Anglican Church Memorial Garden
Newtown, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.1529694, 144.3396641

5. Sacred Heart Convent Cemetery
Newtown, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.1490060, 144.3388900

6. Grovedale Public Cemetery
Grovedale, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.1965270, 144.3411070

7. Geelong Western Public Cemetery
Geelong West, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.1358810, 144.3269040

8. Barrabool Hills Cemetery
Highton, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.1686750, 144.3111510

9. Leopold Cemetery
Leopold, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.1824480, 144.4644290

10. Geelong Memorial Park and Crematorium
Mount Duneed, Surf Coast Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -38.2320800, 144.3445700

11. Mount Duneed Cemetery
Mount Duneed, Surf Coast Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -38.2422500, 144.3192560

12. Old Batesford Cemetery
Batesford, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.0776250, 144.2682640

13. Flinders Memorial Park
Lara, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.0379500, 144.3906700

14. Freshwater Creek Cemetery
Freshwater Creek, Surf Coast Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -38.2772960, 144.2705720

15. Drysdale Cemetery
Drysdale, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.1646470, 144.5754570

16. Mount Moriac Cemetery
Mount Moriac, Surf Coast Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -38.2180700, 144.1907600

17. Sutherlands Creek Cemetery
Moorabool, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.0262390, 144.2519260

18. Bannockburn Cemetery
Bannockburn, Golden Plains Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -38.0578940, 144.1775620

19. Bellbrae Cemetery
Bellbrae, Surf Coast Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -38.3354200, 144.2637900

20. Rothwell Cemetery
Little River, Wyndham City, Australia
Coordinate: -37.9895200, 144.4967930

21. Portarlington Cemetery
Portarlington, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.1202090, 144.6432060

22. Queenscliff Cemetery
Point Lonsdale, Greater Geelong City, Australia
Coordinate: -38.2782840, 144.6166970

23. Inverleigh Cemetery
Inverleigh, Golden Plains Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -38.1055099, 144.0392227

24. Lethbridge Cemetery
Lethbridge, Golden Plains Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -37.9608360, 144.1314030