Person Page 1,671

John Willard Christy was born on 23 May 1838 in Greensbrug, IndianaG.^4,5,6,7
     He was probably one of the three males under age 5 listed in the household of his father, Churchill G. Christy, in the 1840 Federal Census of Decatur Co., IndianaG.¹⁴
     He moved to Dearborn Co.G with his parents by 1850. He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Center Twp., Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents, Churchill G. Christy and Maria Cobb.¹⁵
     John has not been found in the 1860 census, when he would have been 22 years old.
      John enlisted in Company E, 7th Indiana Regiment, on 20 Apr 1861, in Aurora, IndianaG.^16,17,18 He was discharged at the end of his term of enlistment, on 2 Aug 1861, in IndianapolisG, as a sergeant.^19,20

Joining the Family Business --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     About 1866 John joined his brother James in the firm of Christy Bros. & Co., commission merchants, with offices at 35 Water St., Cincinnati, OhioG.²¹
     John married Sophia Stedman, daughter of Nathan R. Stedman and Sarah Belden, on 23 Apr 1866 in Dearborn Co., IndianaG, with Alex G. Wilson offciating.^8,9,10
     The Cobb-Christy business was re-formed again about 1868, still operating at 35 Water St., CincinnatiG. It was then known as Christy, Cobb & Co., with John and his brother Henry in Cincinnati, and their cousin William Henry Cobb in Indiana as principals. This structure remained until about 1880.^{22,23,24,25,26,27,28}
     John and Sophia appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Delhi Twp., Hamilton Co., OhioG, enumerated 27 Jun 1870, reporting real estate valued at $2,000 and personal estate of $3,000.²⁹
     John and Henry's younger brother Oscar joined their firm as a clerk about 1871, and was a bookkeeper there by the following year.^30,31 About 1873 the firm became proprietors of the Indianapolis & Cincinnati Elevator, at the Pearl and Smith Sts.G. Their brother James rejoined the firm as a clerk at the elevator, becoming superintendent there by 1875, but apparently leaving the firm after that.³²
     John and Sophia appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Home City, Hamilton Co., Ohio G, enumerated 29 Jun 1880. Their children Flora, Elmer, Abbie, and Edna were listed as living with them.³³

Troubles at Christy, Cobb & Co. --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Rumors circulating in the Cincinnati business community about financial difficulties at Christy, Cobb & Co. culminated in newspaper reports 30 Jun 1880 of conversations with members of the firm. They acknowledged owing money to a few local banks that they could not pay on time, and said they were asking for an extension. They said they owned no one other than these banks, and would speedily resolve the issue. They noted they had been in business nearly 20 years and the past year had done a business of over $1,500,000, handling more grain than any three houses in the city. They said they were making arrangements to bring in "fresh blood" and issued a statement that the firm "sold out their business and good will to Wm. H. Conklin" who would continue the business at the elevator under the name of Christy, Conklin & Co.³⁴
     The following day a newspaper reported a conversation with William Cobb in which he said he had been the outside man for years, doing most of the traveling, and had no intimation of any issue until the previous week. He said the firm had done some speculation several years before and had been "urgently advised" to stop by his father, one of their heavy creditors, and he had thought they had stopped as they promised. But now he found the firm had speculated in Chicago by borrowing money secured by elevator receipts. He said his father held a note from the firm for $30,000 and was owed another $25,000 on account, but he did not know about other creditors. The paper reported that the firm owed four local banks and two out-of-state banks a total of $55,000.³⁵
     Negotiations with creditors did not go well. On 12 Jul 1880 the three principals and the bookkeeper were arrested on multiple charges, including issuing false warehouse receipts and embezzlement, from each of three banks. The banks had demanded the grain that was represented by the warehouse receipts used as security for the loans, and were told it was not there. Bonds were posted for each: $15,000 for Henry, $25,000 for John and Oscar, and $9,000 for William.³⁶
     Preliminary hearings were held on all six cases, one brought by each of the three banks against the firm and the same against the bookkeeper. The hearings took several days, concluding 29 Jul 1880, and were reported in great detail by the local newspaper. There was testimony by officials of the banks and employees of the firm. After charges against William Cobb were dismissed in one of the cases, he was called as a witness by the prosecution. He testified that he had initially provided all the firm's capital, but later that was returned and the firm operated on borrowed money. He said that on 26 Jan 1880 John had told him they had been speculating and had lost $35,000. He knew the firm had been in debt for several years, and realized it would be unable to recover, with debts now totaling over $100,000. At the conclusion of the hearings all the defendants were bound over to the grand jury, and bail amounts were adjusted.^37,38
     Apparently nothing more ever came of the case. On 31 Jan 1881 a reporter asked one of the attorneys who had prosecuted at the hearings why no indictments had been made. He would only cite rumors, including that money was used in the grand jury room and that the Prosecuting Attorney's office was at fault. No further report of the case has been found.³⁹

Continuing with a New Partner --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     The firm of Christy, Conklin & Co. continued to operate the Indianapolis & Cincinnati Elevator for about two years, with John, W. H. Conklin, Henry, and Oscar as principals. On 1 Aug 1882 the business was transferred to John Henry, who announced they would continue to operate the elevator under the firm name of Christy & Co.^40,41
     The firm of Christy & Co. listed as principals, in addition to John and Henry, an M. E. Christy. It seems likely he was a cousin, but efforts to identify him have been unsuccessful. The firm seems to have cut its ties with the Indianapolis & Cincinnati Elevator by 1883, and expanded its operations outside the city proper to ElizabethtownG, continuing until about 1889.⁴²
     The firm of was incorporated in 1890, with John as president George M. Keeefer as vice president, Henry as treasurer, and Eckhard Amendt as secretary. By the following year only the Christys were listed, with John as president and Henry as secretary and treasurer. The firm seems to have been dissolved by 1893.⁴³ John was not listed in the city directory after 1892. He reported his occupation as grain dealer in 1900, but it is not clear he was actually still in business then.⁴⁴

Declining Health --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     John applied for an invalid pension based on his Civil War service on 28 Apr 1892, which was subsequently approved.⁴⁵
     John and Sophia appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Home City, Hamilton Co., Ohio G, enumerated 9 Jun 1900, reporting they rented their home. Their children Elmer, Abbie, Edna, Nathan, Fannie, and Winnifred were listed as living with them.⁴⁶
     John was admitted 12 Dec 1903 to the National Military Home, Jefferson Twp., Montgomery Co., OhioG.⁴⁷
     John and Sophia appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Norwood, Hamilton Co., Ohio, at 3932 Regent Ave. G, enumerated 18 Apr 1910, reporting they rented their home. Their children Nathan, Fannie, and Winnifred were listed as living with them.⁴⁸ However it appears he was not actually living with the family, as he also appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Jeffreson Twp., Montgomery Co., Ohio, at the National Military Home G, enumerated 28 May 1910, listed as an inmate.⁴⁹
     John died on 7 Sep 1916 in National Military Home, Jefferson Twp., Montgomery Co., OhioG, at age 78.^11,12 He was buried on 11 Sep 1916 in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Pleasant Ridge, Hamilton Co., OhioG.¹³

Mary Elizabeth Hillis was born on 15 Mar 1845 in IndianaG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of her parents, John Hillis and Anna Hazelrigg.¹⁰ She appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of her parents.¹¹
     Mary married Henry Newton Christy, son of Churchill G. Christy and Maria Cobb, and second cousin to the man her sister Maranda would marry three years later, on 12 May 1864 in Decatur Co., IndianaG, with D. R. VanBuskirk officiating.^7,8
     Mary and Henry appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OhioG, enumerated 13 Jun 1870, reporting real estate valued at $4,500 and personal estate of $400. Their children Evelina and John were listed as living with them, as were his brother Oscar and Mary Haunt, age 20, relationship unknown.¹²
     Mary was named an heir in the will of her father dated 4 Nov 1872 in Decatur Co., IndianaG. He left her an equal share of his estate with her three living siblings, after $1,800 was paid to the children of her two deceased sisters. The division was subject to amounts previously advanced to them, in her case $530.¹³
     Mary and Henry appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Delhi Twp., Hamilton Co., Ohio G, enumerated 25 Jun 1880. Their children Evelina, John, Henry, and Jane were listed as living with them, as were two domestic servants, Squire Dudley John Metz.¹⁴
     Mary and Henry appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Delhi, Hamilton Co., Ohio G, enumerated 13 Jun 1900, reporting they owned their home. Their children John and Henry were listed as living with them.¹⁵
     Her husband died on 13 Dec 1907 in Delhi, Hamilton Co., OhioG.^16,17
     Mary appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Delhi, Hamilton Co., Ohio, at Washington Ave. G, enumerated 30 Apr 1910, reporting she rented her home. Her children John and Jane were listed as living with her, as were Jane's husband, Robert Gano, and Janes E. Sarmle, a servant.¹⁸
     Mary died on 8 Mar 1911 in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OhioG, at age 65.⁹

Martha A. Draper was born on 10 Jun 1843 in IndianaG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Washington Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of her parents, Andrew Jackson Draper and Eve Montgomery.¹² She appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Washington Twp., Decatur Co., IndianaG, in the household of her parents.¹³
     Martha married Joshua S. Christy, son of Churchill G. Christy and Maria Cobb, on 25 Mar 1869 in Decatur Co., IndianaG.^2,7
     Martha and Joshua lived in Jackson Co.G for a time after their marriage. They appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Jackson Twp., Jackson Co., IndianaG, enumerated 18 Jul 1870, reporting no real estate. They were apparently living near his sister Martha and her husband and baby daughter, as they were listed as the next household.¹⁴
     Martha and Joshua returned to Decatur Co.G by 1871, apparently, as their first son was born there. In any case they were living there by 1880.¹⁵ They appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana G, enumerated 12 Jun 1880. Their children Oscar, Cora, and Albert were listed as living with them, as were two laborers, Frank Meredith and John Brogan, and Maria Staut, a servant.¹⁶
     Martha and Joshua appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Marion Twp., Decatur Co., Indiana G, enumerated 4 Jun 1900, reporting they owned their farm. Their son Albert was listed as living with them.¹⁷
     Martha died on 29 Jul 1903 in Greensbrug, Decatur Co., IndianaG, at age 60.^8,9,6 She was buried on 2 Aug 1903 in South Park Cemetery, Greensbrug, Decatur Co., IndianaG.^10,11

William Henry Cobb was born on 17 Mar 1845 in MississippiG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents, Oliver Perry Cobb and Caroline S. Foulke.¹⁴ He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents.¹⁵
     William joined his cousins John and Henry Christy in the commission merchant business they had been operating at 35 Water St., CincinnatiG, creating the firm of Christy, Cobb & Co., which continued until 1880. He remained in Indinia while they managed the Cincinnati operation.^{16,17,18,19,20,21,22}
     He appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Center Twp., Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents, reporting real estate valued at $200 and personal estate of $5,000.²³
     William's cousin William Henry Cobb joined the firm as a clerk about 1871, and was a bookkeeper there by the following year.^24,25
     He generally used his middle name, Henry, as a young adult.^2,26,27 About 1873 the firm became proprietors of the Indianapolis & Cincinnati Elevator, at the Pearl and Smith Sts.G. His cousin James Wallace Christy rejoined the firm as a clerk at the elevator, becoming superintendent there by 1875, but apparently leaving the firm after that.²⁸
     William married Alice Constance Fish, daughter of Ezra W. Fish and M. Lorilla Taber, on 21 Jun 1876 in Washington Twp., Black Hawk Co., IowaG.^7,8,9
     William and Alice appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana G, enumerated 3 Jun 1880. Their daughter Alice was listed as living with them, as was Almira Dibber, age 19, a servant.²⁶

Troubles at Christy, Cobb & Co. --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     Rumors circulating in the Cincinnati business community about financial difficulties at Christy, Cobb & Co. culminated in newspaper reports 30 Jun 1880 of conversations with members of the firm. They acknowledged owing money to a few local banks that they could not pay on time, and said they were asking for an extension. They said they owned no one other than these banks, and would speedily resolve the issue. They noted they had been in business nearly 20 years and the past year had done a business of over $1,500,000, handling more grain than any three houses in the city. They said they were making arrangements to bring in "fresh blood" and issued a statement that the firm "sold out their business and good will to Wm. H. Conklin" who would continue the business at the elevator under the name of Christy, Conklin & Co.²⁹
     The following day a newspaper reported a conversation with William in which he said he had been the outside man for years, doing most of the traveling, and had no intimation of any issue until the previous week. He said the firm had done some speculation several years before and had been "urgently advised" to stop by his father, one of their heavy creditors, and he had thought they had stopped as they promised. But now he found the firm had speculated in Chicago by borrowing money secured by elevator receipts. He said his father held a note from the firm for $30,000 and was owed another $25,000 on account, but he did not know about other creditors. The paper reported that the firm owed four local banks and two out-of-state banks a total of $55,000.³⁰
     Negotiations with creditors did not go well. On 12 Jul 1880 the three principals and the bookkeeper were arrested on multiple charges, including issuing false warehouse receipts and embezzlement, from each of three banks. The banks had demanded the grain that was represented by the warehouse receipts used as security for the loans, and were told it was not there. Bonds were posted for each: $15,000 for Henry, $25,000 for John and Oscar, and $9,000 for William.³¹
     Preliminary hearings were held on all six cases, one brought by each of the three banks against the firm and the same against the bookkeeper. The hearings took several days, concluding 29 Jul 1880, and were reported in great detail by the local newspaper. There was testimony by officials of the banks and employees of the firm. After charges against William were dismissed in one of the cases, he was called as a witness by the prosecution. He testified that he had initially provided all the firm's capital, but later that was returned and the firm operated on borrowed money. He said that on 26 Jan 1880 John had told him they had been speculating and had lost $35,000. He knew the firm had been in debt for several years, and realized it would be unable to recover, with debts now totaling over $100,000. At the conclusion of the hearings all the defendants were bound over to the grand jury, and bail amounts were adjusted.^32,33
     Apparently nothing more ever came of the case. On 31 Jan 1881 a reporter asked one of the attorneys who had prosecuted at the hearings why no indictments had been made. He would only cite rumors, including that money was used in the grand jury room and that the Prosecuting Attorney's office was at fault. No further report of the case has been found.³⁴

The Aurora Iron and Nail Company --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     The Aurora Iron and Nail Company filed articles of incorporation in Nov 1875. It was formed from the Aurora Iron Company, which had its origin as a rolling mill established in 1873 by John B. Evans, and the Haddock Nail Machine & Nail Manufacturing Company of Cincinnati. Capital stock was listed as $1,000,000, and the directors included Evans and Oliver Perry Cobb. It is not clear who the original officers were, but by 1881 the Cobbs were clearly in control. At that time, Oliver was the president and a director, and his brother John, his sons William and Frank, nephews John Dwyer and James A Stratton, and brother-in-law Lewis M. Foulk were all directors. Stratton was also the Secretary, and Foulk was the Treasurer.^35,36,37
     By Mar 1881 the company was apparently not doing well, and a group of Cincinnati share-owners filed suit, blaming the Cobbs. The suit, naming the officers and directors, and their banks as defendants, was brought by ten share-owners, owning about 5,900 of the 20,000 shares outstanding.³⁸

Cobb's Iron and Nail Company --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     When Cobb's Iron and Nail Company filed articles of incorporation on 23 Aug 1881, William was named a director, along with his father, Oliver Perry Cobb, his cousins James and Thomas Cobb, and three others.^39,40,41 In 1885 the company disposed of the sheet and bar mill and the right to use Cobb's patent process for manufacturing nails on 50 machines to another company. Both companies were then making 400 to 600 kegs of nails per day.⁴²
     The Cobbs' legal issues led to some unusual provisions in their wills. When his parents wrote their wills they left their property to their daughters-in-law rather than to their sons, who were still living. It seems they feared that the sons were exposed to claims that could be made against their property.
     William was named an executor in the will of his father, dated 6 Oct 1890 in Aurora, IndianaG. The will left everything to his mother, and if she died first, to be divided between his sister, his sisters-in-law, and his wife.⁴³
     William was named an executor in the will of his mother, dated 16 Jan 1891 in Aurora, IndianaG. The will left his father a life estate in her property, after which it was to be divided between his sister, his sister-in-law, and his wife.⁴⁴

Moving Beyond the Cobb Empire --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---

     William and Alice appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana G, enumerated 1 Jun 1900, reporting that the family owned its home, which was mortgaged. Their children Alice, William, and Robert were listed as living with them.⁴⁵
     By 1900 he had become an insurance agent, selling life insurance. He became a general agent for the Central Life Insurance Co.^46,47,48,49
     William and Alice appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana, on Manchester St. G, enumerated 27 Apr 1910, reporting that the family owned its home, free of mortgage. Their son William was listed as living with them.⁵⁰
     William and Alice appeared on the 1920 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana, at 433 Manchester St. G, enumerated 12 Jan 1920, reporting they owned their home, which was mortgaged, and with another couple apparently as tenants in part of the home.⁵¹
     William died on 31 Oct 1924 in Aurora, Dearborn Co., IndianaG, at age 79.^10,11 He was buried on 2 Nov 1924 in Riverview Cemetery, Aurora, IndianaG.^12,13

Louis Willard Cobb was born on 29 Apr 1847 in Aurora, IndianaG.^4,5,6
     He appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents, Oliver Perry Cobb and Caroline S. Foulke.¹⁴ He appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents.¹⁵ He appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Center Twp., Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of his parents.¹⁶
     Louis attended Chickering Institute, CincinnatiG, before attending Yale College. Afterwards he began the study of law in the office of T. D. Lincoln in Cincinnati.¹⁷
     Louis married Mary Emma McCreary, daughter of Joseph McCreary and Sarah Maria Losuck, on 30 Sep 1875 in Dearborn Co., IndianaG, with H. W. Freeman officiating.^7,8,9
     Louis and Mary appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Center Twp., Dearborn Co., Indiana G, enumerated 1 Jun 1880. Their children Inez and Frank were listed as living with them, as were two domestics, Ed Hulskamp, age 16, and Edith Pearce, age 20.¹⁸
     In Apr 1873 Louis bought the Dearborn Independent newspaper formerly edited by his cousin, Thomas Jefferson Cobb.^19,20,21 He continued as the editor/printer until his death, with his two sons, Frank and Louis, evidently working there as printers. After his death, his widow took over the editor's position at the business.^{22,23,24,25,26}
     His father left a will dated 6 Oct 1890, in which he will left everything to Louis's mother, and if she died first, to be divided between his sister, his sisters-in-law, and his wife.²⁷
     His mother left a will dated 16 Jan 1891, in which she left his father a life estate in her property, after which it was to be divided between his sister, his sister-in-law, and his wife.²⁸
     Louis and Mary appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana G, enumerated 1 Jun 1900, reporting that the family rented its home. Their children Inez, Frank, and Louis were listed as living with them.²⁹
     Louis and Mary appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana, at Hanover Ave. G, enumerated 21 Apr 1910, reporting that the family owned its home, free of mortgage. Their children Inez, Frank, and Louis were listed as living with them, as was Ella Buchanan, a 22 year-old maid.³⁰
     Louis died on 29 Dec 1912 in Aurora, Dearborn Co., IndianaG, at age 65.^10,11 He was buried on 31 Dec 1912 in Riverside Cemetery, Aurora, IndianaG.^12,13

Nancy Alice Cobb was born on 12 Aug 1849 in Aurora, Dearborn Co., IndianaG.^2,3,4
     She appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of her parents, Oliver Perry Cobb and Caroline S. Foulke.⁹ She appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of her parents.¹⁰
     By 1870 she reversed her first and middle names, after that known as Alice Nancy.^11,12,13 She appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Center Twp., Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of her parents.¹⁴
     Alice married William Steele Holman Jr., son of William Steel Holman and Abigail Knapp, on 29 Jun 1876 in Dearborn Co., IndianaG, with Rev. Charles Ayer, Baptist minister, officiating in a joint ceremony with her sister Martha.^5,6,7
     Alice and William appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., Indiana G, enumerated 1 Jun 1880. Their son Jesse was listed as living with them, as was Lucinda Brakhage, a 17-year-old servant.¹⁵
     Alice was named an heir in the will of father, dated 6 Oct 1890 in Aurora, IndianaG, in which, if her mother was not living at his death, she was to receive an equal share of his property with her sisters-in-law Alice Constance Fish, Mary Emma McCreary, Lura C. Milburn, and Anna Gray Pattison, and her nephew Oliver Gilbert Bailey.¹⁶
     Alice was named an heir in the will of father, dated 16 Jan 1891 in Aurora, IndianaG, in which, after the death of her father, she was to receive $1,000, and an equal share of her property with her sisters-in-law Alice Constance Fish, Mary Emma McCreary, Lura C. Milburn, and Anna Gray Pattison, and nephew Oliver Gilbert Bailey after their legacies were paid.¹⁷
     Alice left a will dated 16 Sep 1892 stating she was of Aurora, Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in which she left all her property, both real and personal, to her husband. She also appointed him as executor.¹⁸
     Alice died on 27 Oct 1896 at age 47.⁴ She was buried in River View Cemetery, Aurora, Dearborn Co., IndianaG.⁸
     Her will was probated on 18 Dec 1896.¹⁹

Martha E. Cobb was born on 18 Sep 1851 in Aurora, Dearborn Co., IndianaG.^4,5,6
     She appeared on the 1860 Federal Census of Aurora, Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of her parents, Oliver Perry Cobb and Caroline S. Foulke.¹² She appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Center Twp., Dearborn Co., IndianaG, in the household of her parents.¹³
     Martha married Dr. Gilbert Ellis Bailey, son of Rev. Gilbert Stephen Bailey and Sarah E. Brusnell, on 29 Jun 1876 in Dearborn Co., IndianaG, with Rev. Charles Ayer, Baptist minister, officiating in a joint ceremony with her sister Alice.⁷
      Martha joined Gilbert in Nebraska after their marriage. They moved to Franklin, IndianaG, in the latter part of 1878.
     Martha died on 19 Nov 1878, at her home in Franklin, IndianaG, at age 27.^8,9 She was buried on 21 Nov 1878 in Riverside Cemetery, Aurora, IndianaG.^10,11