SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

H. R. Hobart, Page 436

H. R. HOBART, who lives on section 32, is one of the representative citizens of Lima Township.  His birth occurred in Somerset County, Me., February 7, 1848, his parents being Hiram and Maria (Martin) Hobart.  He is the second of three children, two of whom are yet living.  His sister, Abbie Maria, is the wife of Arthur Cummings, a physician and surgeon of Rockford, Ill.

    Hiram Hobart was also born in Maine, the date being March 21, 1819.  Though well along in years, he is still living in Rockford, Ill.  In early life he learned the trade of a mechanic, and for a number of years followed his vocation in the suburban towns near Boston.  Later he became a millwright, and erected many mills in Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and Calumet Counties, Wis.  He was a very active man in his business career, and made a good success of his various enterprises.  Although he commenced life in meagre circumstances, he gave his children good advantages and made a competency for old age.  His wife, who was also born in the Pine Tree State, died in 1849, at the age of twenty-eight years.

    Our subject was an infant of only eight months when his parents brought him to Sheboygan County.  That was in October, 1848, the year the State was admitted to the Union.  He located in Lima Township, where his father purchased eighty acres of unimproved land on section 16.  The first home which he can remember was a pioneer log cabin, and he also recollects when the Indians were numerous.  He has seen the country in its primitive state, when roads and highways were cut through heavy timber and thickets.  Deer and wolves were plentiful, and he has seen as many as ten deer in his father's wheat field.  The first schoolhouse he attended is yet standing at the Five Corners.  Reared on the farm until he was fifteen years old, he became thoroughly familiar with agricultural pursuits, and after he had reached that age he devoted himself more especially to milling, which he follows at the present time.  His mill, which was erected in 1866, is situated three-fourths of a mile from Hingham, and there all kinds of lumber commonly used among the farmers are made.  He saws annually about two hundred thousand feet of lumber, and as his prices are very reasonable, he commands most of the trade of Lima, Lyndon, Sherman, Holland, Wilson and other townships.  The machinery in the mill is most excellent, and in 1892 he put in a new circular saw as an additional feature.

    On the 3d of September, 1874, a marriage ceremony was performed which united the destinies of Mr. Hobart and Miss Isadore A., daughter of Judge Weeden, one of the pioneers of Wisconsin.  She was born in Ohio, November 15, 1851, received a good education, and for a number of years was one of Sheboygan County's successful teachers.  By her marriage she has become the mother of one son and two daughters.  Martin D., who, like his father, possesses much mechanical ingenuity, has attended the common schools of Hingham, and is now pursuing his studies in the Sheboygan High School.  Isadore A. died at the age of six years.  She was a bright little girl, and her presence is greatly missed in the household.  Nina is the pride of her parents and is now about six years of age.

    From his youth, Mr. Hobart has been obliged to make his own way, beginning at the age of sixteen years.  His only capital in commencing his active career was his kit of tools, but by the exercise of his sturdy and manly qualities he has made a competence for himself and family.  He owns twenty-nine and a-half acres in Lima Township, and his mill plant is valued at about $3,000.  He is a patriotic citizen and a devoted adherent of the Republican party, but has never desired official honors.  His first ballot was cast in favor of the Soldier President, Gen. Grant.  He possesses the confidence and respect of all who know him, and is justly accounted one of the honorable citizens of the county.