Henry Cobb
Henry Cobb, farmer, P. O. Mantua Station, was born April 22, 1821, in Suffield, Hartford Co., Conn., son of Samuel and Harriet (Sheldon) Cobb, natives of Connecticut. His paternal great-grandfather was Dr. Samuel Cobb, born August 25, 1716, in Wales, and who emigrated to New England, where he remained for a time at Barnstable, near Cape Cod, Mass. In 1743 he removed to Tolland, Conn., and was a celebrated physician and magistrate. He died universally lamented April 6, 1781. He married Mary Hinkley, who died December 9, 1746, leaving two children. On April 11, 1749, he was again married, this time to Hannah Bicknell, by whom he had twelve children. David, one of his sons, born June 6, 1761, at Tolland, Conn., married Hope Norris, June 25, 1782, and by her had thirteen children; one of his sons, Samuel, was born June 2, 1785, and married, June 1, 1820, Harriet, daughter of Oliver Sheldon, who bore him three children: Henry (our subject), Newton, born October 6, 1823, and Harriet, born February 18, 1828, now the widow of J. M. Taylor, of Toledo, Ohio. Our subject's father purchased several hundred acres of land in the Western Reserve, and in June, 1833, removed with his family to Mantua Township, locating on Lot 19, known as "Cobb's Corners," a postoflice being established there, of which Mr. Cobb was Postmaster for seventeen years, receiving his commission from Amos Kendall, Postmaster-General under Andrew Jackson. Mr. Cobb was a stanch Democrat and died December 22, 1852, his widow surviving him until December 16, 1860. Our subject passed his early years in Connecticut, and after coming here assisted his parents to clear up the farm. His education was acquired during the winters in the primitive log-schoolhouse and by studying at nights. He thus fitted himself to be a teacher, and for many years followed this profession. On October 10, 1849, he married Antoinette H., daughter of Hezron Taylor, natives of Connecticut, by whom he has had five children: Helen F., born July 16, 1850 (married January 15, 1874, to A. P. Carlton. They have four children: Henry Lee, born October 26, 1875; Howard A., born June 25, 1880; Grace G., born November 3, 1882, and Emma A., born October 24, 1884); Frederick H., born July 12, 1854 (married Harriet A. Folder October 1, 1882, and died December 23, 1884, leaving one son, Birchard F., born February 26, 1884); Hattie A., born April 26, 1859 (married John D. Carlton, November 9, 1882); Clara B.,born March 2, 1866, and Frances E., born January 17, 1869, died February 2, 1885. Our subject has been an active citizen of Mantua Township for years, and has filled all the important township offices acceptably. He holds two commissions for Justice of the Peace, issued by R. B. Hayes.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885