In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1901) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Biographical records of Linn County, Iowa .. (1901), Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887)
EORGE A. COBBAN, whose portrait is given { s=\ on the opposite page, is a wholesale and re- \s5-jl tail dealer in boots and shoes at Cedar Rapids. He located in Marion in April. L861, where he carried on a successful business for about twenty years, moving to Cedar Rapids in the spring of 1880. The demands of an increased business caused him to largely augment his facilities, which was done in his name. Mr. Cobban was born at Inverness, Canada East, May 8, 1834. His father, Robert Cobban, emigrated to Canada from Scotland, in 1830, and engaged in farming. There he reared a family of eleven children, seven boys and four girls, viz.: John A., Robert, William F., Mary Ann,.Julia, Jessie, George A., Charles, Joseph, Simon and Joanna, all of whom are living but Robert, Mary Ann, Julia and Charles. Our subject's father died in Canada. He married a daughter of Capt. Anderson, also of Aberdeen, Scotland. Before coining to Canada, he owned and carried on a printing and publishing house in Aberdeen, and was for many years editor of the Aberdeen Chronicle.
One of the sad events which occurred in the boyhood of our subject was that of the death of his mother, which took place when he was but eight years of age. He was a very ambitious youth, and during his younger years often asked his father for permission to go to the States to seek his fortune. To this his father would always demur, saying he was too young. When our subject was fifteen his father gave him a small tract of land to cultivate. From the products of his labors he realized fifty cents, and with this small amount he determined to start out in the world to seek a larger field for operations. Accordingly, one dark night in June, 1850, having made a confident of his sister Jessie, who was two years his senior and who furnished him with a cold lunch, he bade farewell to home and kindred and started out into the cold, strange world to seek his fortune. Space will not allow us to well on the hopes, doubts and aspirations, as well as resolutions, that filled young George's heart on that eventful night. Brave, honest and full of determination to succeed, he traveled on, making ten miles the first night. Starting out early the following day, he traveled thirty miles by sunset, when he came to a tavern. Here, he met a man who had worked for his father, and to whom he became indebted for a night's lodging and breakfast. The second day, although footsore and somewhat dejected in spirit, he traveled forty miles, resting himself for a while at night in a farm-house, where he satisfied his hunger with a bowl of bread and milk, and for which he paid ten cents. A little further on he came to an inn, upon the floor of which he lay for the night. On the third day George walked thirty miles, arriving about sundown at Derby Line, Yt. This day's journey was through a dense forest, inhabited with bears and wolves. After purchasing five cents' worth of crackers for his supper, he had ten cents left out of the fifty with which he started from home. After eating his lunch of crackers, he looked about for work, but without success, and that night slept on the floor of the Derby House.
He was rudely awakened in the morning 03- a kick and told to get out of the way. This was a little too much for George's spirits, but he got up and washed his face and again looked about for work. He was told by the clerk of the hotel that a farmer about ten miles from town was inquiring the day before for a boy. Without a bite to eat the determined lad started for the farmer's house, and arrived only to find that the place was filled. He retraced his steps, applying for work on the way, but without success. At last, discouraged, tired, footsore and hungry, he started out into a field where he saw a man plowing and applied to him for work. On being refused he broke down, large tears coursing down his young cheeks. At this the farmer questioned the boy, who told his story. The kindhearted farmer took him to the house, and gave him a large bowl of bread and milk and a piece of apple pie. George offered him his last ten cents, which was refused. On going back to town he was informed by the hotel clerk that Col. Kilbourne, across the line in Canada, might give him work. George did not like to return to Canada, but it seemed to him the only chance, so he started for Kilbourne's place, where he obtained work on a month's trial at $(j. At the end of the month he was persuaded to stay a few months longer at $7 a month.
About the ist of October, 1850, the subject of our notice, with £20 in his pocket, concluded to make his way to Boston. He walked the first day to McEndos Falls, a distance of thirty miles, which was then the terminus of the Vermont Central Railroad. There he met some boys who told him that there was a lumber train going that night to Wells River, fifteen miles below, and if he would wait, he could get on the lumber and get a ride. This he concluded to do. He had never seen a railroad or a ear before. The railroad tracks at that time were not as smooth as they are at present. When he arrived at Wells River it was very dark. The conductor came along with his lantern, and seeing a boy on the car of lumber, asked him when he got on. George told him, and the conductor ordered him down, and told him if he ever caught him there again it would not be healthy for him. George, even without this admonition, had not the slightest notion of trying a ride like that again. The following morning he started for the depot to take the train for Boston, but got there just in time to see the train pulling out. (george ran after it, calling for it to stop, which of course it did not do. The next morning he was on hand in time, and taking the train soon arrived in Boston. After buying himself some clothes, he took the train for West Newbury, where his brother William lived, and from whom he received a hearty welcome. He remained with his brother for a time, who sent him to school, but in the spring he went to Holliston, the home of his brother John. In that place he worked one year, begging brogans at £5 per month for the first six months and £10 for the second six months. He then secured a job at cutting sole leather in a shoe factory.
From the last mentioned time on the subject of this sketch seemed to prosper, and gradually rising to positions of trust and responsibility, he finally became foreman of a large boot and shoe factory. In 1860, he made a visit to Europe to see his friends in Scotland, but he did not stay long, and returned a wiser and a happier man. His relations in Scotland belonged to the aristocratic classes and did not take to the American idea very kindly. When he called upon his mother's sister, they inquired what profession he belonged to and, upon his replying that he belonged to no profession but was a mechanic, they told him that he need not take the trouble to call again, which injunction he faithfully adhered to. He was glad to return to a country where every honest occupation was respected and where there were no such false ideas of respectability.
Previous to our subject's going to Scotland. and at the age of twenty, he visited his old home in Canada and spent an evening with his father's family without being recognized. In 1861 the company for whom he was working failed, and our subject was compelled to take notes for the amount due him. lie had saved besides the notes he took, some $300, and with this and what was due him he had intended to start in business for himself. He was consequently greatly disappointed, but not dismayed, lie then decided to come to Iowa and select some good town and open up business for himself.
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He purchased about $1,500 worth of goods on time, had some cards printed, and started for the West. His goods were shipped to Cedar Rapids, he having selected Marion as the place for opening up. When the goods arrived at Cedar Rapids there was $52 freight charges on them, while the.young merchant only had $17 to pay with. He proposed to leave part of the goods as security in Mr. Bever's warehouse, but the latter gentleman, being a good judge of human character, told our subject to take all his goods and ji'ive him his due bill for the amount, and when he took in the money to send it down. In about two days the bill was paid. By liberal use of printer's ink and close attention to business he met all of his obligations before they were due. In this way he built up a large and prosperous business, which would reflect honor upon one enjoying every advantage in starting life, not one of which outside of his own inherent ability did our subject enjoy.
Mr. Cobbin was united in marriage in 1865 with Miss Marcia B., the estimable daughter of the late Hon. William Todd, of St. Stephens, N. B. He died Aug. 5, 1873, aged seventy years. He was a highly respected and prominent citizen. He was a life member of the Provincial Parliament and was largely interested in railroads and other business enterprises of that Province. He was also President of St. Stephens Bank, and of the New Brunswick & Canadian Railroad.
Mr. and Mrs. C. became the parents of five children, namely: Harry, born Oct. 29, 1869; Mabel, July 6, 1871; Neva Louise, July 2, 1873; Alice M., May 5, 1879; and George A., Jr., born May 8, 1880. The first daughter died Dec. 15, 1872, and Henry died April 13, 1877.
In 1866 Mr. Cobban erected a fine brick dwelling in Marion, where he still resides. In 1872, he put up a brick store, which he occupied for many years. Eight years later, however, desiring a larger field for his business operations, he removed his store to Cedar Rapids, where he has now one of the leading boot and shoe establishments in the State. He has invested quite largely in real estate in that city, and is one of its leading business men. He is a Republican in politics, and liberal in his religious views.
Mr. Cobban's success in life shows what courage, perseverance and an honest purpose will accomplish under Republican institutions where labor is honorable and success open to all who may seek it.
As printed in Portrait and biographical album of Linn County, Iowa (1887). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
GEORGE A. COBBAN.
George A. Cobban has been one of the important factors in the business circles of Marion, Iowa, for many years, and his life is an exemplification of the term " the dignity of labor." The possibilities that the United States offers to her citizens he has utilized, and though he came to this country a poor boy he has steadily and perseveringly worked his way upward, leaving the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few.
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Being an ambitious lad George A. Cobban asked his father's permission to come to the United States when fifteen years of age, but was told that he was too young to start out in life for himself. Being given a small piece of land to work, he made fifty cents from the products he raised thereon, and with this capital he decided to come to the United States. Accordingly one night in June, 1850, he left home to seek his fortune, having first told his sister Jessie, who prepared him a lunch. The following day he walked thirty miles before sunset, and spent the night in a tavern. The second day he traveled forty miles, and after sleeping all night on the floor of an inn he walked thirty miles on the third day, arriving at Derby, on the Vermont line, at sundown. After buying five cents worth of crackers lie found that he had only ten cents of his half-dollar remaining. He started out to look for work, but found none and slept that night on the floor of the Derby House. He was told by the clerk that there was a farmer living ten miles from town who was in need of a boy, and without a bite to eat he started for the place, only to find that the place had already been taken. He inquired for work at different places long the way, but found none. At length becoming discouraged, as 'ell as tired and hungry, he entered a field where a man was plowing, and again asked for employment. On being told that the man had no work for him he broke down, and large tears rolled down his cheeks. The kind-hearted farmer then questioned him, and on learning his story took him to the house and gave him something to eat. Mr. Cobban offered his last ten cents for the meal. On reaching town the hotel clerk told him that Colonel Kilbourne, across the line in Canada, might give him work, although he disliked to return to Canada he saw that this was his only chance and again started out. He was hired for one month at six dollars, and at the end of that time was persuaded to stay a few months longer at seven dollars per month.
Having saved twenty dollars from his wages, Mr. Cobban started for Boston on the ist of October, 1850. He walked the first day to McEndos Falls, a distance of thirty miles, then the terminus of the Vermont Central Railroad. He met some boys who told him that there was a lumber train going that night to 'ells River, fifteen miles below, and if he waited he could ride on the lumber. He had never seen a railroad or a car previous to this time. He rode to Wells River, and was not discovered by the conductor until arriving at that place. The following morning he decided to proceed to Boston, but arrived at the depot just in time to see the train pull out. He ran after it a short distance, calling for it to stop, but as it failed to heed him he had to wait until the next morning. On reaching Boston he purchased some new clothes. and then took a train for West Xewbury, Massachusetts, where his brother William was living. He remained with him a sJKirt time and attended school. The foll(.)wing sjjring he joined his brother John, in Ib'lliston, tlirit state, and there worked one year begging brogands at five dollars per month for thefirst six niLiUths, and ten dollars per month for the remaining time. Mr. Cobban next found employment at cutting sole leather in a shoe factory, and from that time on he has steadily prospered, until he is to-day one of the most substantial and prominent business men of his community. He served for some time as foreman of a large boot and shoe factory in the east.
At the age of twenty h. Cobban visited his old home in Canada, and spent one evening with his father's family without being known, so much had he changed in the years of his absence. In 1860 he went to Scotland to see his relatives there, but not meeting with a kindly reception he soon returned a wiser and happier man. His relatives there belonged to the aristocratic classes, and did not take very kindly to American ideas. 'hile calling on his mother's sister, he was asked what profession he followed, and on his replying that he was only a mechanic, he was told that he n.eed not take the trouble to call again. He was glad to return to a country where any honest occupation was respected and where there was no such false ideas of respectability.
The shoe firm for whom Mr. Cobban worked failed in 1861 and he was compelled to take notes for the amount due him at that time. He had previously saved three hundred dollars, and with that and what was due him he had intended to embark in business for himself. He was greatly disappointed therefore on being unable to obtain the latter amount, but not discouraged. He decided to come to Iowa and select some growing town where he believed he could succeed in business. ' Believing that Marion would prove a good location, he bought about fifteen hundred dollars worth of boots and shoes on time and shipped the same to Cedar Rapids. The freight charges on the goods amounted to fifty-two dollars, and as he had only seventeen dollars, he proposed to leave a part of the stock as security in Mr. Bever's warehouse, but that gentleman being a good judge of human nature told Mr. Cobban he could take all his goods and give him a due hill for the amount, which our subject paid two days later. By extensive advertising and close attention to business he met all his obligations in this way before the bills were due, and built up a large and prosperous business. He removed his store to Cedar Rapids in 1880, but has always made his home in Marion, and continued in active business until 1889, being one of the largest wholesale boot and shoe dealers in Iowa. He also employed several shoemakers and in this way placed a large amount of custommade shoes on the market. Since 1889 he has been interested in Butte, Montana, real estate, loans and mining, and in this undertaking has been also successful. He also deals largely in Cedar Rapids property, and is one of the leading business men of Linn county.
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August 5. 1873, at the age of seventy years. Mr. and Mrs. Cobban are th; pr.rents of five children, namely: Harry, born October 29, 1869, died at the age of seven and a half years; Mabel, born July 6, 1871, died at the age of one year and a half; Neva L., born July 2, 1873, is the wife of H. S. Scampton, who lives with our subject and is an engineer on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad; Alice M., born May 5, 1879, is at home; and George T., born May 8, 1880, is now at home.
'Mr. Cobban built his present home in IMarion in 1866, and has since made a number of additions and improvements to the place. He also erected a brick business lilock in that city in 1872, and has been prominently identified with the growth and develiipmcnt of the place. In his religious views he is liberal and in politics is an ardent Repulilican. Coming to the United States without capital he deserves great credit for his success in life. He has always made the most of his opportunities, and by straightforward, honorable dealing has secured the public confidence and the public patronage. He has accumulated a handsome property, and his life illustrates what can be accomplished through industry, perseverance, good management and a determination to succeed.
As printed in Biographical records of Linn County, Iowa .. (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1901. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.