My Genealogy Hound

Jacob Brobst, the present mayor of Corning, and county jailer of the Western division of Clay County, Ark., is descended from a family that has held a worthy place in the history of this country, and wherever its representatives have settled they have become recognized as prominent and influential members of society. He was born in Columbus, Ohio, on the 18th of June, 1839, and of this State his parents, John and Catherine (Bachar) Brobst, were among the pioneer settlers. The father is still living and resides in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, but the mother died in 1874. Jacob followed the occupation of his father until eighteen years of age, receiving in the meantime a good education in the public schools of Wyandot County, Ohio, and after starting out to fight the battle of life for himself he worked at the carpenter’s trade and taught school, securing in the latter profession the reputation of being one of the best educators in the county. Miss L. M. England, a native of Hancock County, Ohio, became his wife in 1862, and their union was blessed in the birth of two children: J. R., who is married and resides at home, and Mary Alice, also at home. Mrs. Brobst’s parents, Robert and Ellen (Lape) England, were Ohio people, the former being a farmer who died in 1875. His widow is a resident of Goshen, Ind. In 1864 Mr. Brobst went to Fort Wayne, Ind., and was engaged in railroading in that State until 1879, when he took up his abode in Corning, Ark., which was at that time a very small place, and has since given his attention to carpentering. He votes with the Democratic party, and has been jailer of the West division for three years; was first elected to the position of mayor in 1882, next in 1883, and is now serving his third term. During 1884-85-86 and 1887 he was a member of the city council, and has also been deputy assessor of the Western division of Clay County. He was foreman of the grand jury that found the indictment by which the second man of the Ku Klux was hung, thus breaking up that gang in this section of the country. He is the owner of some fine residence property in the town, and besides this has a fertile and well tilled farm of 320 acres in Nelson Township. He believes in building up this place, and has done his full share in this direction. He and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.