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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 107 - 108 |
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JONATHAN W. COBBS
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Few men in Wexford county were as widely and favorably known as was the late Jonathan W. Cobbs, of Cadillac. He was one of the strong and influential citizens whose lives have become an essential part of the history of this section of the state and for years his name was synonymous with all that constituted honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen perception and honesty of purpose, combined with everyday common sense, were among his chief characteristics, and while advancing individual success he also largely promoted the material welfare of his community. Jonathan W. Cobbs was a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born at Westville, Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 25th of February, 1828. He was a son of Joseph and Tacy (Walton) Cobbs, the former of whom was a cabinetmaker by trade. They were both highly respected in the community in which they lived, and were the parents of nine children, of whom the subject was the third in the order of birth. Jonathan W. Cobbs passed the early years of his life in his native county and when old enough was employed as an assistant to his father, becoming an adept in wood working. Subsequently he learned the trade of wagon-making, at which he was engaged until he left his native state, going to Butlerville, Jennings county, Indiana, where he engaged in the lumber business. He there erected a saw-mill and was soon doing a good business, shipping the products of his mill to Cincinnati, Ohio. Feeling that in Michigan lay wider opportunities for a man of energy and ambition, he, about 1873, went to Grand Rapids, where he remained about seventeen months, and in April, 1874, he came to Cadillac (then called Clam Lake). He was thoroughly familiar with the lumbering business in all its details, having owned three saw-mills in Jennings and Jackson counties, Indiana, and upon coming to Michigan he felt that in that line of industry lay the best chances for his future success, the accuracy of his judgment being proven by his subsequent career. He was one of the first men to engage in the lumber business at Cadillac and remained actively identified with it until within about four years of his death, when he gave his interests over into the charge of his son, F. J., this move being necessitated on account of the precarious condition of his health. He had always been a strong and vigorous man and had devoted his entire energy to the business in which he engaged, the result being a success commensurate with the untiring efforts put forth by him. His interests were large and in them he took the keenest interest, no detail being too trivial to escape his attention, this fact probably being the true secret of his success. For many years he was considered one of the leading lumbering men in this part of the state, and bore a conspicuous part in commercial circles in his city. On the 29th of March, 1855, at Butlerville, Jennings county, Indiana, Mr. Cobbs was united in marriage with Miss Nancy J. Preble. She was a native of Olean, Ripley county, Indiana, born March 21, 1833, and was a daughter of Barnard and Elizabeth (Maddox) Preble. Her father was a carpenter by occupation and he and his wife both died in Jennings county, to which locality they had removed after the birth of Mrs. Cobbs. They were the parents of ten children, of whom Mrs. Cobbs was the third in order of birth. To the marriage of the subject and his wife were born three children, as follows: Tacy M. is the wife of Isaac Murphy; Emma is the wife of Richard V. Massey; Isabelle is the wife of H. W. McMaster. and an adopted son, Frank J., who is now in control of the lumbering business. Few men who have resided in Wexford county have exerted as wide an influence in material matters and in things affecting the general welfare of the community as did Jonathan W. Cobbs, his support being always given to those movements which tended to improve the condition of those about him or to make life's burdens lighter for those less fortunately situated than himself. He won many friends and always retained them. His courteous manners, genial disposition and genuine worth earned for him the sincere respect even of those who were not intimate with him and his death was sincerely mourned by all. |