The life work of William COBB has been far-reaching and beneficial in its effects. He has been closely associated with the material, political and moral progress of the community and is equally well known as a prominent business man and farmer, as a legislator and as one who has devoted much of his time to the work of the ministry. The forces of his life are thus nicely balanced, making his a well rounded character, while his life work has been one of general usefulness. He is numbered among the old settlers of Iowa, dating his residence in the state from 1845, when he made his way to Keokuk. Later he went to Delaware county in 1854 and in the year 1855 arrived in Taylor county. The history of this part of the state is therefore largely familiar to him and he has been no unimportant factor in molding its policy and shaping its destiny.

Mr. COBB is a native of Indiana, his birth having occurred in Park county November 17, 1839. He is a son of Thomas COBB, who was born in Owen county, Kentucky, but went to Indiana when a lad of about eight years. He was there married in Park county and turned his attention to farming, which he followed in that locality for several years, during which time two of his sons and four of his daughters were born. Removing from Delaware county to Taylor county he here opened up a farm with the help of his sons and spent his last years in this locality, the evening of his days being passed in the home of his son, William COBB. He was one of the respected and honored pioneer residents of this part of the state and is yet remembered by many of the early settlers.

William COBB arrived here when a youth of about sixteen years. He had to some extent attended the common schools but is largely a self-educated man, gaining practical and valuable knowledge by reading, investigation and through experience. He assisted in opening up his father's farm and remained there until his marriage. He was a young man of twenty years, when on the 5th of November, 1859, he wedded Miss Malinda AGLER, who was born in Carroll county, Indiana, and was a daughter of Daniel AGLER. Mrs. COBB arrived in Taylor county when a maiden of fourteen summers and was here reared.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. COBB located on the place where he now resides. He commenced with a tract of land of eighty acres and continued its cultivation and improvement until after the outbreak of the Civil war, when, feeling that his first duty was to his country he offered his services to the government, enlisting on the 9th of August, 1862, as a member of Company F, Twenty-ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was assigned to the Trans-Mississippi department and Mr. COBB with his command participated in the battle of Helena, Arkansas, later in the engagement at Memphis Ferry and subsequently in the siege of Mobile, Alabama. He was afterward in various running fights and continued in active service until after the close of the war, being mustered out at New Orleans, Louisiana, August 10, 1865. He was then honorably discharged at Davenport, Iowa, and reached home on the 1st of September. Immediately he resumed farming and was closely identified with general agricultural pursuits until 1891. He bought more land from time to time and also bought and sold land both in Kansas and Missouri. In 1866, he removed to Lawrence county, Missouri--the Ozark mountain country--where he improved a farm of one hundred and twenty acres, continuing its cultivation for two years, after which he sold that property and returned to Taylor county.

Mr. COBB put aside his agricultural interests when in 1891, he was elected county treasurer of Taylor county, taking charge of the office in January, 1892. He served as treasurer for four years, being reelected on the expiration of his first term of two years. The public found him a faithful custodian of the funds and he retired from office as he had entered it--with the confidence and good will of all concerned. He then returned to the farm and resumed the active work of the fields. He has, however, served in other local positions, acting as assessor, trustee and in other offices of trust. In 1903, he was elected to represent his district in the state legislature and proved an able working member of that body, connected with much important constructive legislation. While a member of the house, he did duty on committees of ways and means, roads and highways, military, suppression of intemperance, the agricultural and industrial schools, the orphans home and the soldiers home committee. After his duties at the state capital were ended he returned to the farm and in connection with the raising of grains he is engaged in raising stock. He now owns two hundred acres of land, including one hundred and twenty acres in the home place, which he has cleared and developed, making it a valuable property. He now makes his home in town, however, where he has erected a comfortable residence.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. COBB have been born four sons: Charles S., who is married and follows farming in Ringgold county, Iowa; Thomas E., who is married and carries on general farming in Ross township; Floyd M., who is married and is a farmer of Ross township; and Leslie R., who is married and also carries on general agricultural pursuits in the same township. Mr. and Mrs. COBB also lost two children: Margaret S., who died at the age of five years; and Harvey B., who died in his second year.

Mr. COBB belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has filled all of the chairs of the local lodge. He is a past grand and both he and his wife are connected with the Rebekah degree. That he is prominent and popular among his brethren of the fraternity is indicated by the fact that they have six times sent him as representative to the grand lodge. Both he and his wife are members of the Church of Christ and Mr. COBB is one of the official board of the church and an active worker in the Sunday-school. In fact he is untiring in his efforts to promote the church work and for years has been connected with the ministry, preaching and holding services through-out Taylor county, Iowa, and in Nodaway county, Missouri. He has been tireless in his efforts to extend the influence of the gospel through the teachings of his church and all of his labors have been without remuneration.

SOURCE:  CROSSON, Frank E. History of Taylor County, Iowa: From The Earliest Historic Times to 1910  Pp. 378 - 384. S.J. Clarke Pub. Chicago. 1910.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, 2008