Biography of J. R. K. Hobbs - Conway Co, AR

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Submitted by: Cathy Barnes <bbarnes@cswnet.com>
        Date: 21 Jun 1998
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
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SOURCE: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Western Arkansas.
Goodspeed Publishers, 1891.

page 74

J. R. K. Hobbs, a prosperous and popular planter of Plummerville, was
born in Bedford County, Tenn., in 1843. He was the son of John and
Martha (Haskins) Hobbs, who were born in Tennessee and North Carolina
respectively; they were married in Tennessee, and in 1851 came to
Arkansas and settled on Point Remove Greek, in the northern part of
Conway County, on a slightly improved place. After one year removed to
near Springfield, where he died in, following his wife, who had died
the preceding year. Both were long-time members of the Methodist
Church. Mr. Hobbs had been a most successful farmer in his time, had
served as Justice many years, and was a member of the fraternity of
Odd Fellows. He was a son of Rigdon Hobbs, an old veteran of some of
the early wars, probably 1812-15; he was of Irish extraction, a
prominent planter, and died in Middle Tennessee. Mr. John Hobbs, the
subject of this sketch, was the sixth in a family of four sons and
five daughters; seven still survive. He was educated at the country
schools. In 1861 joined Company I. Third Arkansas Cavalry. Was in many
battles, some of which were Corinth, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, on
to Atlanta and Savannah; back to Franklin and Nashville, thence again
to Georgia and North Carolina, where the company surrendered with Gen.
Johnston. He was slightly wounded at Corinth, and off duty two weeks;
came home at close of hostilities, and in 1868 was united in marriage
to Mrs. Emily Tracy, daughter of Samuel Plummer, a pioneer to Conway
County. (See sketch of Tom Plummer.) Mrs. Hobbs was born in 1845, in
the house in which she now resides in Plummerville. From 1866 to
1874 Mr. Hobbs was clerk for W. B. Hervey at Portland. At the latter
date Hervey & Hobbs started the first store at Plummerville, and
continued in business about four years, and was succeeded by Hobbs &
Bro. who continued till December, 1888, and since then our subject has
been extensively engaged in farming; he owns about 500 acres, with
about 300 under cultivation, all of which has been secured by his own
efforts. Mr. Hobbs served as Assessor of the county in 1874-5; has
been a member of the Masonic fraternity about twenty years, and
several times Master of the Lodge; he is also a member of Morning Star
Lodge, Knights of Honor; he has been a member of the M. E. Church,
South, for thirty years, and Mrs. Hobbs also inclines to the same
faith. They are the parents of one daughter.