- HORACE HOBART, called familiarly Deacon HOBART, was one of
the earlier settlers of Beloit,
- having come there in 1838, two years after its earliest American
inhabitant. His native place was Colebrook, N.H., where he was
born in 1802.
- He was a carpenter by trade, but this hardly expresses the
part he served in the history of this now
- prosperous and beautiful city. When, in 1847, the main building
of Beloit College was erected he was occupied in its construction;
but the industries of Beloit and its ample lines of railroad
connection which furnish to it such ample facilities for intercourse
and traffic are due in no small measure to him. His broad and
judicial mind made him an excellent counselor, and he was equally
able in active affairs. It is not too much to say that no one
of the citizens of Beloit has contributed more to laying wisely
the foundation of its prosperity. He was one of the endowed builders
of States. The college at Beloit owes much to his encouragement
and support.
- Deacon HOBART was a member of the First Congregational Church
in Beloit, and it was
- especially this relation that his influence was valuable.
He was its wide heart and brain. He was chosen deacon in 1840,
and continued in this office until his death, in 1860. He married,
soon after coming to Beloit, Miss Charlotte P. FIELD, who died
in 1880. Three sons survived him - Edward T., Horace R. and Henry
F., who worthily perpetuate his memory. Henry was for many years
editor of the Beloit Journal and Free Press, and died in San
Diego, Cal., in 1885. Horace R. is now the veteran editor of
the Railway Age of Chicago. Edward F. is a distinguished civil
engineer, a resident of Las Vegas, N.M. The two latter are graduates
of Beloit College.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 896.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|