Elijah Cobb's biography, Elsie, Clinton County, Michigan

Copyright © 1999 by Jan Sedore. 
This copy contributed for use in 
the MIGenWeb Archives.  

 



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PAST AND PRESENT OF CLINTON COUNTY, 1906
CLINTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN
Page 43-44
ELIJAH W. COBB
        Elijah W. Cobb, of Elsie, is one of the few remaining early settlers of
Clinton County. He was long known as a prominent farmer and businessman of
varied interests, but is now living retired from the more active labors and
duties of farm life. He took up his residence in Duplain township in early
pioneer days, having made his home in this part of the state since 1844.
His birth occurred in the town of Bennington, Wyoming County, New York,
June 18, 1829. He is a son of Joshua Cobb and a brother of Lyman Cobb. The
father was reared in New York and was married there to Miss Anna Doty. He
followed agricultural pursuits in the Empire State and at a later date came
with his family to the west, settling in Michigan upon the land where his
son now resides. It was then a tract of unbroken forest and he cut down the
trees, cleared away the stumps and brush and in due course of time opened
up a good farm, on which he spent his remaining days, his death occurring
on the 2d of May, 1852. He donated the land for cemetery purposes and his
grave was the first one made in Elsie cemetery. His wife survived him for
nearly thirty years and passed away in August 1882.
        Elijah W. Cobb was reared under the parental roof and assisted in clearing
up the farm that he now owns, having one hundred acres of rich and valuable
land at the present time. He built a large residence and barn there and
developed the place as it is today. In all that he undertakes he is
resolute and determined and never falters before he has reached successful
accomplishment. At one time he was engaged in merchandising at Elsie, being
owner of a good hardware, implement and grocery business, which he
conducted for many of years.
        In Howell, Livingston County, Michigan, Mr. Cobb was married on the 14th
of November 1855, to Miss Ann Sickles, a native of Palmyra, Wayne County,
New York, born May 19, 1831. Her father, John F. Sickles was likewise a
native of the Empire State but was born in Saratoga County. He was reared
in Palmyra and was married there to Miss Betsy Smalley, a native of New
York. Like her husband she was born in 1792. Mr. Sickles was a farmer of
Wayne County, where he resided until 1836, when he removed to Wayne County,
Michigan, settling near Detroit, where he purchased a farm, upon which he
reared his family. He died there in 1839. Mrs Cobb was educated at
Northville Academy and at Ypsilanti Normal School and later she engaged in
teaching for some years, following that profession for several years prior
to her marriage. Mr. and Mrs Cobb have a son who is yet living, Arthur E.
Cobb, who is a farmer now residing on the old family homestead in this
county. He is married and has three children: William Cobb, who is an
operator at Henrietta, Michigan; Francis, a student at Alma College; and
Anna, the wife of Fred Jarvis, of Ovid. Mr. and Mrs Cobb also have educated
and reared an adopted daughter, Grace, who is now the wife of John
Selterington, of Hamilton, Gratiot County, Michigan. They also lost three
children: William S., who died at the age of eight years; Gertrude, about
fourteen months old; and Agnes, an infant.
        In his political views, Mr. Cobb has been a lifelong supporter of the
Republican Party, giving unfaltering allegiance to its men and measures. He
served as town treasurer for some years and was also postmaster for several
years but has never been an active politician in the sense of office
seeking. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church and Mr. Cobb
belongs to the Masonic fraternity, while he and his wife are affiliated
with the Eastern Star lodge. He has always been a busy and useful man and
has assisted in improving Elsie and Clinton County. Known as a man of tried
integrity and worth, he enjoys the confidence and esteem of all with whom
he has been brought in contact and as a pioneer resident of this locality
certainly deserves mention in this volume.