In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1895) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1827
From Portrait and biographical record of Winona County, Minnesota; containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1895), Portrait and biographical record of Winona county, Minnesota. Containing biographical sketches of prominenet ... citizens .. (1894)
JOHN DOBBS, deceased, was born in New York, on the 24th of January, 1827, and died in Winona on the 23d of September, 1890. His early years were passed in Albany, where he learned the book-binder's trade, and there he continued until 1849, when, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he made his way to the Pacific Slope. There he engaged in mining for about a year, meeting with only average success. He then returned to his native state and resumed work at his trade in Albany.
Soon after his return Mr. Dobbs was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Porter, and to them were born five children, of whom two died in childhood. Edward T., the eldest living, is a dentist of Brooklyn, N. Y.; William J. is now station agent on the Elkhorn ife Missouri Valley Railroad at O'Neill, Neb.; Charles died in infancy; Jennie died in childiiood; and Herbert Orr died in O'Neill, Neb., December 11, 1893. He had served as operator and station agent, and had also been in the employ of the Lansing Lumber Company. His first wife having died, Mr. Dobbs was again married, his second union being with Miss Mary E. Potts, of Albany. Her father, William Henry Potts, died in Columbia County', N. Y., at the age of thirty-three. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Lucinda Moore, was born and reared in that county but for some years had resided in Albany, where, on the 20th of March, 1872, her daughter Mary became the wife of John Dobbs. By this union were born three children: Frank Nelson, who is in his nineteenth year and is employed as clerk in the shops of the North-Western Railway Company; Arthur Emil and Percy Moncrief.
Mr. Dobbs continued to engage in book-binding in Albany until 1857, when he came to Winona, hoping that a change of climate would prove beneficial, for he was then in poor health. He secured a farm near Utica, but remained thereon only about a year, for the financial panic of 1857 brought ruin upon the country, and like many others he suffered some loss. He then returned to New York, much improved in health, and resumed work at his trade in Albany. He was a skilled binder, and his services were always in demand, so that he found steady work in the East until he abandoned the old occupation to again seek a home in Minnesota. He established a book-bindery in Winona, but soon consolidated it with the Republican newspaper, which was published by the firm of Sinclair & Dye. Mr. Dobbs became an equal partner in the concern, and continued in charge of the bindery until within a few months of his death. He devoted his time and attention assiduously to his business interests, and won a success which was well deserved.
Mr. Dobbs was an enthusiastic Republican and in deeps3'pathy with the principles advocated by the paper with which he was connected. Socially he was a Knight-Templar Mason, and took an active interest in that fraternity-. He was ver>' influential in organizing the original fire department of Winona, when the business men protected themselves hy a volunteer company. He continued his close connection with the fire department until its efficiency bad been fully established, and was a member of the advisory or directing board of fire protection. On the 15th of October, 1887, lie resigned as a member of the company, and at that time the department presented him with a fine cane, which was highly prized as a taken of their esteem and respect for him. The best interests of the community ever found in him a friend, and his hearty support and co-operation were ever given to all enterprises which he believed would prove of public benefit. He passed away September 23, 1890, and throughout the community the loss of this valued citizen was mourned.
Mrs. Dobbs is a ladjof refinement and culture, and is well known as the proprietress of an excellent boarding-house. Mer pleasant home is situated in the center of the city, close to the normal school, and the comforts of home life are had by those who share her roof. She possesses many sterling qualities and is endeared to all who know her.
Alexander C. Sinclair.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
The birth of our subject occurred in New Hampshire, December 20, 1824, and his parents, Joseph and Ann (Cornell) Sinclair, were also natives of that state. His father followed the trade of a carpenter in addition to the occupation of a farmer- In 1854 he decided to try his fortune in what was then considered the far West, and with iiis family he started for Minnesota. They went by rail to Peoria, HI., and from there proceeded by stage to Dixon, Ill., where they took passage on a boat and came direct. to Winona. They arrived on the 19tii of August, and within a few hours after landing the wife and mother died of cholera. This was a sad blow to the family. Two days after placing the remains of tiieir loved one in the cemetery at that place they proceeded to St. Charles Township, and located a claim on.section 32, where they entered one hundred and sixty acres of Government land.
A small log cabin stood on one corner of the property, and in this humble above the family made their home for about six years. At the expiration of that time they erected the commodious building that now occupies the site of the former cabin. This is one of the best farm houses in the neighborhood, and the farm is the best improved in the section, having all the necessary farming implements and stock of all kinds that are generally found on a first-class estate.
[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]
WillianQ Groger, and resides on a farm adjoining the old homestead; Ann died December 12, 1863; and Ella married Angus Ross, a banker of Rock County, Minn.
Mr. Sinclair was vrbat may be termed a self-educated man, not having had the advantages of good schools in his youth, but with the aid of good books and the current literature of the day, combined with his natural intelligence, he became well posted in both local and national affairs. In his business career he was very successful, and was widely and favorably known, having the esteem and confidence of his neighbors. For twenty years before his death he was a great sufferer from asthma and lung trouble, but bore his sufferings patiently until the end came. His death occurred February 4, 1892, and his remains were laid to rest in the private cemetery of the family on his farm. He was greatly missed by his friends and mourned by the entire community. Politically he always affiliated with the Republican party, but was never actively engaged in public affairs, preferring to give iiis attention to his private inter'ests.
Nicholas Schell, Jr.
As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona county, Minnesota. Containing biographical sketches of prominent ... citizens .. (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
JOHN DOBBS, deceased, was born in New York, on the 24th of January, 1827, and died in Winona on the 23d of September, 1890. His early years were passed in Albany, where he learned the book-binder's trade, and there he continued until 1849, when, attracted by the discovery of gold in California, he made his way to the Pacific Slope. There he engaged in mining for about a year, meeting with only average success. He then returned to his native state and resumed work at his trade in Alban\'.
Soon after his return Mr. Dobbs was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Porter, and to them were born five children, of whom two died in childhood. Edward T., the eldest living, is a dentist of Brooklyn, N. Y.; William J. is now station agent on the Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad at O'Neill, Neb.; Charles died in infancy; Jennie died in childhood; and Herbert Orr died in O'Neill, Neb., December 11, 1893. He had served as operator and station agent, and had also been in the employ of the Lansing Lumber Company. His first wife having died, Mr. Dobbs was.again married, his second union being with Miss Mary E. Potts, of Albany. Her father, William Henry Potts, died in Columbia County, N. Y., at the age of thirty-three. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Lucinda Moore, was born and reared in that county, but for some 3'ears had resided in Albany, where, on the 20th of March, 1872, her daughter Mary became the wife of John Dobbs. By this union were born three children: Frank Nelson, who is in his nineteenth year and is employed as clerk in the shops of the North- Western Railway Company; Arthur Emil and Percy Moncrief.
Mr. Dobbs continued to engage in book-binding in Albany until 1857, when he came to Winona, hoping that a change of climate would prove beneficial, for he was then in poor health. He secured a farm near Utica, but remained thereon only about a year, for the financial panic of 1857 brought ruin upon the country, and like many others he suffered some loss. He then returned to New York, much improved in health, and resumed work at his trade in Albany. He was a skilled binder, and his services were always in demand, so that he found steady work in the East until he abandoned the old occupation to again seek a home in Minnesota. He established a book-bindery in Winona, but soon consolidated it with the Mepublican newspaper, which was puhiislied by the firm of Sinclair A- Dye. Mr. Dobbs became an equal partner in the concern, and continued in charge of the bindery until within a few months of his death. lie devoted his time and attention assiduously lo his business interests, and won a success which was well deserved.
Mr. Dolibs was an enthusiastic Repulilican and in deep sympathy with the principles advocated by the paper with which he was connected. Socially he was a Knight-Templar Mason, and took an active interest in that fraternity. He was very influential in organizing the original fire department of Winona, when the business men protected themselves by a volunteer company. He continued his close connection with the fire department until its elliciency had been fully established, and was a member of the advisory or directing board of fire protection. On the loth of October, 1887, he resigned as a memtier of the company, and at that time the department presented him with a fine cane, which was highly prized as a taken of their esteem and respect for him. The best interests of the community ever found in him a friend, and his hearty support and co-operation were ever given to all enterprises which he believed would prove of public benefit. He passed away September 23, 1890, and tlirougliout the community the loss of this valued citizen was mourned.
Mrs. Dobbs is a lady of refinement and culture, and is well known as the proprietress of an excellent boarding-house, iler pleasant home is situated in the center of the city, close to the normal school, and the comforts of home life are had by those who share her roof. She possesses many sterling qualities and is endeared to all who know her.
Alexander C. Sinclair.
As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona County, Minnesota; containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1895). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Nicholas Schell (b. 1854)
Their biographies name John Dobbs: Moses Laberee. Nathan Harris (b. 1813)
The printed record stops around 1895. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.