Jobes, D H R

Posted By: Steve Koons
Date: 28 October 2004

transcribed from A Biographical History of Darke County Ohio, Lewis Publishing Company, 1900, part II, pp 239-240:

D.H.R. JOBES.

D. H. R. Jobes, lawyer, judge of probate and teacher, was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, September 14, 1829, and died in Greenville, Ohio, January 13, 1877. He was a man of noble traits of character. His parents being poor he was early thrown upon his own resources, but by a faithful improvement of limited privileges obtained a good English education, and for a number of years followed the occupation of a teacher. In October, 1857, he was elected probate judge of Darke county and served nine years, during which time he devoted his spare time to reading law under the direction fo D.L. Meeker, of Greenville, Ohio, and was admitted to practice in January, 1867. He formed a partnership with his preceptor adn so continued until 1872. On January 1, 1875, he formed a law partnership with C. M. Anderson, of Greenville, which was dissolved by the death of Mr. Jobes. He was cut down in the meridian of life, and in the height of the practice of his profession. His death was the occasion of an usually cordial action on the part of the members of the Greenville bar, in resolutions and speeches expressive of deep regret at his demise, tender sympathy for his bereaved family, and exalted appreciation of his moral worth. On this occasion, among other remarks, J. R. Knox, Esquire, said: "During the nine years of service as probate judge, I had frequent occasion to appear before him and observe his conduct in that capacity, and I take pleasure in this solemn hour, as I have always done, to say that as by law recognized next friend of the widow and guardian of the orphan -- the highest and most sacred trust which the law imposes upon that officer -- and in the various duties of his position, he was a careful, impartial and vigilant accountant, and deserving the honored name of a just and upright judge. As a practitioner at the bar, none stood fairer than he. We had not among us a more diligent office lawyer, nor any safer or more thoughful counselor or adviser than Judge Jobes; and when he addressed himself to the court and jury the weight of his character for integrity and fairness made his appeals forcible and influential, carrying conviction." C. M. Anderson, Esquire, a law partner of the deceased, as well as formerly his pupil, said: "His was a mind that did not require the light of precedents. He was a chancellor by nature, and only needed the advantages of an early education in the law to have marked him as one of the foremost and most powerful jurists of his time." udge William Allen reverted to the fact that the integrity, the honor, the moral worth and nobility of heart which made him pre-eminent as a public officer and private citizen during his maturer years were the graces that adorned his life in his earlier years. During the three consecutive terms he held the office of probate judge of this county no lawyer nor litigant ever called in question his integrity as an officer or doubted the honesty of his motives. David Beers, Esquire, said: "In boyhood and manhood, he ever pursued a moral, upright, honorable course which gave him a deserved and enviable position in society." C. G. Matchett said: "His many virtues and great worth are best expressed by the couplet, 'None knew him but to love him. None named him but to praise.'" He left a wife adn two sons. Mrs. Jobes is a lady of talent, a leader in the Christian church of Greenville, and an active worker in moral and religious enterprises. She is a daughter of Isaac and Sarah Reed, of Darke county, Ohio, and was married to Mr. Jobes May 6, 1858. Her father died January 18, 1871, aged sixty-two. He was one of the pioneers of Darke county, kind and obliging in disposition, a good neighbor and a Christian gentleman. He was respected by all who knew him.

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