Montrose County CO Archives Biographies.....Tobin, John J. 1865 - ?
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Crook jlcrook@rof.net March 26, 2006, 8:42 am

Author: Progressive Men of Western Colorado

     Whether impelled by the hard conditions in their native land, their natural

restless energy, the thirst for gold or the inviting prospects of advancement in

the United States, the Irish people have left their own flowery island by

thousands and spread themselves out over this country greatly to its advantage

and their own, quickening every active impulse toward improvement wherever they

have settled, and at the same time winning the reward of faithful toil in

worldly comfort and political and social consequence.  John J. Tobin, of

Montrose, this state, is the son of Irish parents who have shared the benefits

of American freedom and opportunity, and have poured out their energy and skill

in building up the section in which they made their home as he has done.  He was

born in 1865 at Columbus, Wisconsin, the son of John and Catherine (Kiernan)

Tobin, natives of Ireland who came with their parents to this country in

childhood. The father was brought over when he was but a year and a half old. 

His parents lived for a time in the city of New York, then moved to Pennsylvania

and later to Wisconsin.  At an early age he started in life for himself, driving

a team on the Erie canal, and when he grew tired of this occupation he came on

to Wisconsin from the end of his division by stage.  Here he was employed by a

milling company until he retired from active pursuits at the age of

seventy-three at Columbus, where he had been living for many years.  Here he was

married when a young man to Miss Catherine Kiernan, a native of Ireland also,

daughter of Bernard and Mary Kiernan, who were early settlers and prosperous

farmers in Wisconsin.  She died in 1872, aged seventy-two, leaving three

daughters and four sons, John being the third of the sons.  He remained at home

until he reached the age of seventeen and received an ordinary district school

education.  At that age he went to Chicago and secured a position in the employ

of the Hayden Brothers, proprietors of large department stores in that city and

Omaha.  In 1882 he quit their employment and came to Denver, Colorado, where he

taught school in Harman’s Addition, then a newly opened portion of the city. 

After teaching two years he came to Montrose in 1884 and was made principal of

the Montrose schools, serving four years in that capacity and the next five as

county superintendent.  During his tenure in this office he made many

improvements in the school system of the county, modernizing its methods,

raising its standards and increasing its efficiency in thoroughness and breadth.

 His administration was highly commended, and the evidence of his wisdom and

energy is still apparent in the excellent condition and work of the schools.  In

the meantime he bought a tract of unimproved land three miles and a half west of

the town, and expended his spare time and energies in improving it and getting

it ready for habitation.  It has for some years been his home and is one of the

most complete and desirable rural homes in this part of the county, having a

productive orchard and an unusually well furnished dairy among its features

worthy of special notice.  He has been for a number of years a member of the

state board of control.  Fraternally he is connected with the Ancient Order of

United Workmen.  In 1891 he was married to Miss Catherine McTiernan, a native of

Wisconsin and daughter of James and Mary McTiernan, of Irish nativity, both now

deceased.  In all undertakings involving the advancement or improvement of the

county Mr. Tobin has been active and serviceable, approaching public questions

with breadth of view and a spirit of enterprise which have been effective in

helping to secure the best results.  He is looked upon as one of the county’s

leading and most progressive citizens, an estimable man and an appreciated force

for good in this section of the state.  

Additional Comments:
From Progressive Men of Western Colorado.  Chicago:  A.W. Bowen & Co., 1905

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/co/montrose/bios/tobin468gbs.txt

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