Occasionally we find a man who has begun at the foot of
the ladder and worked his way, unaided, to the very summit, where honor and
success await those who are plucky and persevering enough to endure the
hardships and trials that beset the way. Macoupin County has such a citizen
in the person of one of its most prominent agriculturists — Richard W. Lobb.
He resides on his well tilled farm, situated in section 23, North Palmyra
township. Mr. Lobb was born in Green County, Kentucky, November 13, 1847,
and is a son of Chapman and Ann (Horton) Lobb.
Chapman Lobb, who was
a native of Virginia, at an early date removed to Kentucky, where he died
about 1858, having reached quite an advanced age. Mr. Lobb was twice
married, his second wife being Ann Horton, the mother of our subject; she
died in 1868, aged about 50 years. Chapman Lobb had eight children, of whom
Richard W. is the fifth in order of birth. Four of the family besides our
subject are living, namely: Frank, who served three years in the Civil War,
and is now living in Kentucky; Thomas and George, who also live in Kentucky;
and Berry, who is a resident of Clay County, Nebraska. Of those deceased,
Lucy was the wife of Mr. Welch, while Juda died young.
Richard W.
Lobb was but a small boy when his father died and was compelled to engage in
work on a farm to help support his mother and therefore had little
opportunity to get an education. After his mother's death in 1869, he came
to Illinois in company with a neighbor, James Adcock. Upon arriving in
Macoupin County, he located with his uncle, Oswell Horton, in North Palmyra
township, remaining there that winter. In the following spring he engaged in
work on the farm of James Nevins at Chapman Point, remaining there during
that summer. The following winter he returned to North Palmyra township, and
again lived with his uncle Oswell Horton, remaining there until spring. In
the summer of 1870 he again engaged in work on the farm of James Nevins and
the following year worked for some time for Robert Alderson, who was the
son-in-law of James Nevins. In 1871 he settled on his present farm, which
then consisted of 176 acres, and which he later purchased. Mr. Lobb has
since been actively engaged in the cultivation of the property with the best
results. Politically he is a member of the Democratic party.
On
August 24, 1871, Mr. Lobb was married to Elizabeth Norvell, who was born
December 24, 1835, and is a daughter of Spencer and Emily (Ross) Norvell.
Spencer Norvell was a native of Tennessee and came to Illinois in company
with his parents in 1828, locating in North Palmyra township, where he
entered government land. Spencer Norvell enlisted in the Mexican War and
served his term of enlistment, as a reward receiving a land grant from the
United States government. Mr. Norvell was married twice, his first marriage
to Emily Ross taking place in 1834; to them were born six children, of whom
Mrs. Lobb is the eldest. Mrs. Norvell died in August, 1845, while in her
31st year. Mr. Norvell was married a second time in December, 1849, to a
Mrs. Hamner. He died in January, 1879, while in his 73rd year. Mrs. Lobb has
but one brother living, James H. Norvell, who resides at Waggoner, Illinois,
and is a retired farmer. Mr. Lobb and wife are the parents of four children,
namely: Emma A., born July 2, 1874; Chapman Spencer, born September 13,
1876; Arthur, born February 8, 1878, and George R., born February 9, 1880.
Mr. Lobb and wife joined the Baptist Church at East Union, in May, 1873.
Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 369-371.
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