Biographical Sketch of G. A. Lobban, Johnson County, Missouri,
Warrensburg.

>From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell,
Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918.

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G. A. Lobban, a prominent merchant of Warrensburg, is one of the 
county's "self made" men, a leading and influential citizen, and a
"booster" for his home city.  He was born June 17, 1839, in Virginia,
one of three sons born to his parents, John G. and Mary Jane Lobban,
both of whom were native Virginians.  Their children were: John L.,
who came West and settled in Johnson county about 1856, engaged in
the mercantile business prior to the Civil War, continued to be one
of Warrensburg's successful merchants for many years afterward, and
died in 1891; William A., an ex-Confederate soldier, who was born and
reared in Virginia; G. A., the subject of this review; and Mary Jane, 
the wife of Joseph Smith, who died in Warrensburg several years ago.
Both parents died in Virginia.  The father's death occurred in 1845
and the mother's a few years before that time.  In the common schools
of Virginia, G. A. Lobban obtained a good education.  In 1858, when
he was a youth nineteen years of age, he left Virginia and came to
Missouri, locating first in Warrensburg.  In 1862, he went to Sedalia
where he was employed in government service as post clerk in the 
quartermaster's department, a position he held for three years and
then returned to Warrensburg in 1865, when the Civil War had ended,
and entered the plastering business.  Mr. Lobban followed this voca-
tion until 1874, when he entered the mercantile business, associated
with Joseph Smith, his brother-in-law, in a store located on North
Holden street.  After a few years, Mr. Lobban assumed complete control
of the establishment, which he sold in 1899.  He then remodeled the
store building, which he owned on North Holden street, and, in 1901,
purchased a new line of merchandise and with his two sons, Albert and
Leslie, opened the Lobban's Dry Goods Company's store at 212 Holden
street and for the past seventeen years this establishment has contin-
ued in business and is today one of the best and most aggressive 
business firms in the city.  The stock is kept in splendid condition,
up to date, clean, and neatly arranged.  G. A. Lobban was married in
1863 to Sarah Elizabeth Bratton, who died in 1874, leaving two child-
ren: Ida L. and J. Luther.  In 1875 he was married to Sarah Ann Johns-
ton, who died December 25, 1917.  Five children were born to this
union: Leora L., Albert A., Leslie L., Ethyl C. and Carl P.  Mr. Lobban
has always taken an active interest in municipal affairs and he was one
of the committee appointed to meet at Sedalia, Missouri in 1869 to 
arrange to have the State Normal School located in Warrensburg.  How
successful and influential was this committee, composed of the city's
most prominent and energetic citizens, is evidenced by the Warrensburg
State Normal School.  Mr. Lobban was a valued member of the city 
council for three years, during 1892, 1893 and 1894.  Besides his three
sons, Albert A., Leslie L. and Carl P., all of whom are well known and
highly respected merchants of Warrensburg, and J. Luther, G. A. Lobban
has three daughters: Mrs. Ida L. Cord, Los Angeles, California; Mrs.
John V. Brewer, Fort Worth, Texas; and Miss Ethyl C., teacher of sing-
ing in Warrensburg, Missouri.  All the Lobban girls graduated from the
Warrensburg State Normal School.  Mr. Lobban has recently completed one
of the most attractive and elegant residences in the city of Warrens-
burg.  His home is located on East Market street.

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