Photograph of Jacob Sheplar Cobb

Source: History of Boone County, Indiana, by Hon. L.M. Crist, 1914.

JACOB SHEPLAR COBB It will always be a mark of distinction to have served the
Union during the great war between the states. The old soldier will receive attention no
matter where he goes if he will but make himself known. And when he passes away, as
so many of them are now doing, friends will pay him suitable eulogy for the heroic
sacrifices he made a half century ago on the sanguinary fields of battle in the Southland,
or in the no less dreaded prison, fever camp or hospital. And ever afterward his
descendants will revere his memory and take pride in recounting his services to his
country in its hour of peril. One of the most eligible citizens for specific mention in a
history of Boone county is Jacob Sheplar Cobb, for many years one of our leading
farmers and school teachers, who, having accumulated valuable property and an ample
competency to insure his old age from want, is now spending his time in retirement in his
cozy home in the city of Lebanon. He is deserving of our attention here partly because he
is one of the old soldiers who went forth in that great crisis in the sixties to assist in
saving the nation from disunion and treason, and partly because he has been one of our
honorable and public-spirited citizens for a number of decades, a plain, honest gentleman
who has sought to do his duty in all the relations of life as he has seen and understood the
right.

Mr. Cobb was born near Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, August 25, 1841. He is a son of
William and Mary (Copeland) Cobb. The father was born in Adams county,
Pennsylvania, in December, 1809, and was a son of William and Catherine
(Strawsbaugh) Cobb. William Cobb was born in England, and was a ship-builder by
trade. After emigrating to America he taught school for a number of years, also engaged
in farming. William Cobb, Jr., was a carpenter and farmer and he moved with his parents
to Harrison county, Ohio, in 1813, being thus among the early settlers there. He
continued to follow his trade until his death in 1877, and was a highly skilled workman.

Politically, he was a Democrat, was justice of the peace in Ohio for twelve years, and in
religious matters he was a Methodist. In 1853 he came to Boone county, Indiana, and
purchased two hundred and forty acres, and became a leading farmer here. He also served
eight years as justice of the peace here, and was an influential man in his community. He
and Mary (Copeland) were married near Cadiz, Ohio. She was born in Harrison county,
Ohio, October 10, 1816, and her death occurred in Boone county, Indiana, November 17,
1872.

Jacob S. Cobb grew to manhood on the home farm and there worked hard when a boy.
He received a common school education, and after the war spent two years as a student in
the Thorntown Academy, being a pupil under Prof. John C. Ridpath, the famous
historian.

Mr. Cobb enlisted August 10, 1861 in Company A, Tenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry and
saw considerable hard service and proved to be a gallant soldier for the government. He
was in the following engagements: Mill's Springs, Pittsburg Landing, siege of Corinth,
Perrysville, Salt River, Hoover's Gap. He was then taken from his company and made
drum major of the regiment's band. He had charge of twenty-two men, and during a battle
he and his men assisted in caring for the wounded. He remained with the regiment,.and
participated in seventeen hard-fought battles, being honorably discharged as drum major,
September 20, 1864.

Returning home Mr. Cobb attended school awhile then began teaching which profession
he followed with much success for a period of thirteen years, during which his services
were in great demand, for he was a man of progressive methods and an able instructor.
He bought forty acres of land in Boone county which he cleared and improved, adding to
same until he had ninety-three acres, which he operated with gratifying results. He
recently sold his farm and now lives in his home in Lebanon, also owns considerable
other valuable city property which he rents.

Mr. Cobb was married September 30, 1869 to Ella Lowe, who was born in Hamilton
county, Indiana, October 18, 1844. She proved to be a faithful and sympathetic helpmeet,
and, like our subject, numbers her friends by the scores. Eight children were born to Mr.
and Mrs. Cobb, all still living but one, namely: Frank A., a blacksmith of Washington
township; Florence is the wife of Lon Barnes, a farmer of Center township; John E. is
deceased; James E. is a farmer of Washington township; Nellie is the wife of George I.
Bienfang, of New York City; Fred is at home; Mary is the wrife of J. H. Beldon, of
Buffalo, New York; Verner J. is at home.

Politically, Mr. Cobb is a Democrat and has long been active in political matters. He
served as sheriff of Boone county in an able and highly acceptable manner for two years,
1885-86. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic Order, and he belongs to Rich
Mountain Post, No. 42, Grand Army of the Republic of which he is now adjutant.

BARNES BELDON BIENFANG COBB COPELAND LOWE RIDPATH
STRAWSBAUGH

Submitted by Amy K Davis