From the book History of Walworth County Wisconsin, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, 
publ. 1912 - Pages 636 - 638
 
ROBERT CLARK COBB.  The life of the late Robert Clark COBB was so replete with 
honor and duty well performed that it might well be held up as a model to the 
youth standing at the parting of the ways, whose destinies are matters for 
future years to determine.  He was of sterling New England ancestry and many of 
their noble traits seemed to outcrop in him, rending him a man of courage, 
stability of character and public spirit, whom to know was to honor and esteem.
 
Mr. CLARK was born in Pawlet, Rutland county, Vermont, May 3, 1825.  He was the 
son of Joshua and Betsey (CLARK) COBB.  The immediate subject of this 
biographical memoir lived in Vermont until he was twenty years old, and there 
received his educational training, and he was employed by his father in his 
woolen factory and later clerked in a store; his mother died in Pawlet.  About 
1845 Robert C. COBB came west and located in the village of Lake Geneva and was 
for a time clerk in the hotel here.  On April 13, 1847, he was united in 
marriage with Sallie HULETT, of Pawlet, Vermont.  She was the daughter of 
Daniel and Betsey (WOODWORTH) HULETT.  He returned to New England for his 
bride, then came back to Walworth county and engaged in farming in Bloomfield 
township, on what is now known as the HINSPETER farm in the west side of 
Bloomfield township.  He entered part of this land from the government, and 
bought part from his brother-in-law, Abraham EDGERTON.  He made his home there 
until about 1868, when he sold out and moved to the city of Lake Geneva, buying 
a block of ground west of Madison and north of Dodge street.  Here he built a 
commodious and attractive residence for those days and sold the rest of the 
ground in city lots.  He purchased the rest of the farm at the northwest part 
of the village of Lake Geneva, about 1870, and lived there, engaged in 
farming.  He had seventy acres or more west of the Northwestern depot, and also 
another farm about half a mile farther northwest, the two farms adjoining, two 
hundred and twenty-five acres southeast of the Elkhorn road, extending from 
North street to Duck creek.  He sold this land about 1886 to John BURTON, and a 
few years later most of it was laid out into city lots and is now nearly all 
covered by the residences of the city, being known as Columbia addition.  Mr. 
COBB then bought land on the south side of Geneva street, running one-half 
block west from Madison street and built a home there in which he spent the 
rest of his life.  His family consisted of two children, Ellen Maria and Harry 
Elbert.  The former married John Melvin WILSON, May 7, 1872, he being in the 
lumber business at East Saginaw, Michigan, at that time.  Mr. WILSON was born 
in Alden, New York.  One daughter was born to himself and wife, Florence Cobb 
WILSON, who is now living in Lake Geneva with her mother, Mr. WILSON having 
died on August 21, 1907, at Cincinnati, Ohio.  After his death Mrs. WILSON 
returned to Lake Geneva and now lives at the home left by her father.
 
Harry Elbert COBB, mentioned above, is engaged in the hardware business in Lake 
Geneva, having succeeded T. C. SMITH, his former employer.  He married Sylvia 
(BOWEN) SMITH, daughter of Timothy C. SMITH and wife.  To Harry E. COBB and 
wife two children have been born, Robert Clark and Elbert Smith.  Mr. COBB has 
been in the hardware business since 1892 and his store is well patronized.  He 
is active in the Republican party, and, fraternally, is a member of the Masonic 
order, blue lodge and chapter. 
 
The death of Robert C. COBB, subject of this sketch, occurred on August 14, 
1900, and his wife followed him to the grave on June 28, 1906.  They were 
excellent people and enjoyed a wide circle of friends here.

Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)