W. R. Cobb, 85, pioneer Kiowa county citizen and land owner, passed away on Wednesday morning at a hospital in Dodge City, where he had been taken on Saturday of last week for treatment and observation. While members of his family were aware that he had been in failing health for the past few years, it was only last week that he became seriously ill and entered the hospital.Mr. Cobb was a native of Kentucky, born in May, 1858. On September 20, 1883 he was married to Miss Mary Ashanna Messenger in Doniphan County. It was on March 1, 1885, Mr. and Mrs. Cobb and their infant son came to western Kansas. They came to Kinsley via train and then by wagon to a claim pre-empted from government Indian trust land, located near the town of Reeder, about 14 miles south of Greensburg. The area at that time, however, was part of Comanche county. That claim became the ranch where the Cobb family made its home for 21 years before moving to Greensburg in 1906.
The deceased has been one of this community�s substantial and respected citizens for many years. He was one of those hardy pioneers who endured the hardships and privations to assist in developing this area into profitable agricultural section and thriving community.
Mr. Cobb was one of those employed in the construction of Greensburg's historic hand-dug well, and had the contract for hauling the stone for the well casing from quarries in the south part of the county. Incidentally, he failed to receive remuneration of any kind from the contractor and the debt remained unpaid to the time of his death.
It must have been a source of genuine pride and satisfaction to this pioneer to live to see his sons and daughters become substantial, and respected citizens and leaders in their several communities.
He is survived by three sons: Wilna Cobb of Brawley, Calif., Verne Cobb of Greensburg and John Cobb of El Paso, Texas; and by five daughters: Mrs. Maude Taves of Denver Colo.; Mrs. Edith Northrup, Las Vegas, Nev.; Mrs. Ethel Smith, Wilmore; Mrs. Helen Ihloff, Jetmore; and Mrs. Rowene Paxton, El Paso, Tex. Mrs. Cobb preceded him in death on July 3, 1938, while two children also preceded their father in death. Funeral services will be held on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 o�clock from the Christian church with Rev. Gordon Milldrum in charge. Interment will be in Fairview cemetery. Fleener's Mortuary is in charge of funeral arrangements.
William Romulas and Mary Ashanna (Messenger) Cobb, circa 1928.
Photo courtesy of Nancy Smith
Thanks to Nancy Smith for contributing the above news article to this web site!
- Mary Ashanna (Messenger) COBB
Surnames: Cobb, Fleener, Ihloff, Messenger, Milldrum, Northrup, Paxton, Smith & Taves.
- Walter Loring "Tommy" COBB
Surnames: Cobb & Powell.
- William Romulus & Mary Ashanna (Messenger) COBB
Surnames: Bollinger, Cobb, Douglass, Ferrin, Gallagher, Hanks, Hinsley, Ihloff, Mahaney, Messenger, Murray, Northrup, Paxton, Rodick, Smith & Taves.
- Walter SMITH "Sermons in Song" record album.
Surnames: Brower, Burnett, Down, Evans, Miller, Pharris and Smith.
- Ethel Anna (Cobb) SMITH
Surnames: Cobb, Davis, Hayse, Ihloff, Northrup, Smith, Taves & Walz.
- Cpl. William Henry TAVES, U.S. Army.
Surnames: Behler, Cobb, Cooper, Moore, Northup, Paxton, Smith & Taves.
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