Mrs. W. R. Cobb, one of Kiowa county's most beloved pioneer women, lay aside her cares and worries early Sunday evening when she passed away at her beautiful home in the south part of Greensburg. Mrs. Cobb had been ill at her home for several weeks, but it was thought she was improving until a few hours before her death.The Christian church was more than filled with the many people who had come to pay their final respects to Mrs. Cobb yesterday morning. The service was in charge of Weaver Fleener, and conducted by the pastor, Rev. Frank Aten.
A duet composed of Mrs. J. W. Ireland and Weldon Douglass sang "In the Sweet Bye and Bye" and "Beyond the Stars". Many garden and cut flowers which had been sent by Mrs. Cobb�s friends surrounded the casket.
There were six pallbearers. Members of the Rebekah Lodge had charge of the flowers. Interment was at the Fairview cemetery.
OBITUARY Mary Ashanna Messenger, daughter of Ashley Loring Messenger and Anna G. Messenger was born in Nevada, Missouri, December 16, 1861.
She grew to womanhood in Doniphan county, Kansas. She received her education there and taught in the Doniphan county schools and in Missouri.
She was united in marriage to William R. Cobb at the home of her parents in Doniphan county, September 20, 1883.
Mr. and Mrs. Cobb with their son, Wilna, then 9 months old, came to western Kansas March 1, 1885 and have lived here 53 years. They brought with them their household goods and live stock, coming by train to Kinsley, then driving in a wagon to a claim, pre-empted from government land, near the town of Reeder, 14 miles south of Greensburg in what was then Comanche county. Kiowa county was organized the next year, 1886. This claim became the ranch where they lived 21 years and where eight children were born.
During these years, as a busy ranch woman raising her family, Mrs. Cobb taught school and found time to teach in the Sunday school, help in all kinds of community affairs, and be a friend and neighbor to all those around her.
In 1906 the family moved to Greensburg. Mrs. Cobb, with her family, became a member of the Greensburg Christian church of which she has been a faithful member for more than 30 years. She was active in the work of the missionary society, and for years she taught a women�s class in Sunday school. She was a member of Greensburg Rebekah Lodge, and interested in all good things in the community.
Mrs. Cobb was devoted to her home and family and the most outstanding quality of her personality was her friendliness, and the joy and happiness in her home, family and friends, which she shared with all whom she met.
In recent years, Mr. and Mrs. Cobb have lived in El Paso, Texas during the winter, returning to Greensburg for the remainder of the year. They have lived in western Kansas 53 years.
Mrs. Cobb was preceded in death by one daughter, Mabel Lorel Cobb and one son, Walter (Tommy) Loring Cobb. Mrs. Cobb passed to her heavenly reward July 4, 1938, at the age of 76 years, six months and 17 days.
She leaves to mourn her loss her devoted companion, W. R. Cobb, with whom she has lived 55 years. She is survived by three sons: Wilna Cobb of Calipatria, California; Verne Cobb and John Cobb of Greensburg; and by five daughters: Mrs. Maude Taves and Mrs. Edith Northrup of Alamosa, Colorado; Mrs. Ethel Smith of Wilmore; Mrs. Helen Ihloff of Jetmore, Kansas; and Mrs. Rowene Paxton of El Paso, Texas. She also leaves 18 grandchildren, three great grandchildren and a host of friends in a community which is better because she lived in it and is saddened by her going.
William Romulas and Mary Ashanna (Messenger) Cobb, circa 1928.
Photo courtesy of Nancy Smith
LORING ASHLEY MESSENGER, farmer, P. O. Doniphan, came to Kansas in March, 1862, and located in Doniphan County, where he has lived since. He has been a School Director three terms. Is a member of the Baptist Church, and of Arcana Lodge No. 31. A. F. & A. M., and of Doniphan Chapter No. 18. R. A. M. Mr. Messenger was born in Elyria, Lorain Co., Ohio, September 4, 1839, and lived in his native place until 1860, when he removed to St. Louis, where he remained a short time and then removed to Vernon County, Mo., where he lived about a year and a half, and from there came to Kansas. Mr. Messenger was married October 9, 1859, in Elyria, Ohio, to Miss Annie Gallagher, a native of New York City. They have four children, whose names are: Mary Ashanna, Martha Loranna, Mesgal James and Malgaly Galena. Mr. Messenger is in partnership with Mr. Benjamin Curtis in a steam threshing machine, which they are operating in the western part of Doniphan County. It is a Nichols & Sheppard machine, and was manufactured at Battle Creek, Mich. It is a self-propeller and self-guider, and is entirely different from any other machine of the kind in Doniphan County. If driven to its full capacity it will thresh 2,000 bushels of grain per day. In the winter time the engine of this machine is used for sawing native lumber, of which they turn out about 5,000 feet each day. Mr. Messenger lives about two and a half miles from the city of Doniphan on his farm, which contains ninety acres of fine upland. He makes a specialty of raising fine horses and cattle. -- William G. Cutler's History of the State of Kansas.
Related histories:
- William Romulus COBB
Surnames: Cobb, 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.
Thanks to Nancy Smith for finding, transcribing and contributing the above news article to this web site!
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