Obit: Hobart, James Sr. (1818 – 1905)

Contact: Michelle Melcher
Email: michelle@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Hobart, Waste, Bryan, Wheeler, Clark

----Source: Fairchild Observer (Fairchild, Wis.) 11/16/1905

Hobart, James Sr. (1818 – 10 NOV 1905)

James Hobart, Sr. passed away Friday, Nov. 10, 1905 at the advanced age of 87 years, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Kate Waste. The funeral was held at the M.E. Church, Sunday, Ref. F.J. Bryan delivering the sermon. Internment was made in the cemetery southwest of town, the old gentleman being laid to rest beside his wife who preceded him several years.

James Hobart, Sr. was born in Newberry, Geanga County, Ohio, April 8th, 1818, the eight in a family of sixteen children born to Benjamin and Mary (Wheeler) Hobart, natives of New Hampshire and Massachusetts respectively, their parents being English, coming over from England in the early part of the 18th century. James Hobart was reared to manhood in his native State and remained there until 1849 when he came to Wisconsin and settled in Dane County. In 1859 he moved to Monroe County and in 1862 to Eau Claire County. Mr. Hobart was married Feb. 12, 1836, to Marietta Clark, a native of Vermont. She preceded her husband 11 years. Mr. Hobart leaves six children, who were all present at the funeral. A son, the oldest, died for his country and sleeps in Virginia soil; the third, a daughter, died in Ohio in 1882. He also leaves 27 grand children and 60 great grand children besides a host of friends to mourn his loss. He united with the Presbyterian church in his youth. He was a good moral man, kind to everyone , a kind and loving father and grandfather.

Mr. Hobart came to this section in 1862, locating a claim in the town of Cleveland, Jackson County, which he afterward left to take a homestead in what is now the Village and town of Fairchild. He organized a joint school district between the towns of Cleveland and Bridge Creek, the later since set off and named after Gov. Lucius Fairchild.

About that time he was chairman of the board, and for thirty years or more held office in various positions. He prospered and in time became possessor of 600 acres of land, later to be divided among his daughters and sons. James, Ida and Emma Hobart were the first white children in the village of Fairchild.

“Grandpa” Hobart, as he was known by the whole community, was well liked by all who knew him. Kindness itself, he was a favorite with both old and young, and all will miss the good old man, whose creed was the Golden Rule.