My Genealogy Hound

Charles William Hobson, farmer and stock dealer and raiser, of Norman Township, was born in Randolph County, Ind., October 27, 1837, his parents being Arthur and Catherine (Moffatt) Hobson, natives of Chatham County, N. C., born in the early part of the nineteenth century. They were married in their native State in about 1831 or 1832, and removed, probably, to Randolph County, Ind., and from there in 1838 to what is now Dent County, Mo. They settled near the head of Dry Fork, and here the father improved several farms. Later he moved to Henry County, Mo., but about two years later returned to Dent County, where the mother died about 1864. In 1866 the father went to visit a son in Iowa, and shortly afterward started to return to Missouri, and from that time no trace of him has ever been found. He was one of the first settlers of Dent County, and one of its honorable and industrious citizens. He was of a roving disposition, and was a wagon-maker and blacksmith by trade. He was a natural mechanic, and could make anything from wood or iron. The mother was of Scotch-Irish descent, and her father, Charles Moffatt, was probably born in the old country, and died in North Carolina. Charles William Hobson was the sixth of six sons and six daughters, seven now living, four in Dent County. He received a limited common school education, and March 29, 1857, he married Miss Cynthia A., daughter of James D. and Levisia (Coppedge) Watkins, natives of Virginia and Kentucky, and born in 1800 and 1807 respectively. Mr. and Mrs. Watkins came to Dent County when young, were married there, and settled on Dry Fork about 1830, where they improved a good farm. They were among the first settlers of that creek, and Watkins Township was named for Mr. Watkins. He died in June, 1863, and the mother in November, 1883. Mr. Watkins was justice of the peace for a number of years. To Mr. and Mrs. Hobson were born nine children, five sons and two daughters now living. Since the war Mr. Hobson has lived in Norman Township, with the exception of a short time. He has improved five good farms, and has lived on his present farm for three years. This consists of 272 acres, 100 under cultivation. In 1872 and 1873 he followed merchandising on his farm near Plank Bank. He is a Democrat in his political views, casting his first presidential vote for J. C. Breckinridge in 1860. He is a member of the Grange, the Wheel, and he and wife and two sons are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. His eldest brother, Joab, served as a private in the Mexican War, and was also in a Missouri regiment during the late Civil War. He is now farming in Newton County. Another brother, Aaron S., was for three years in the United States Cavalry. He is now in Iowa, farming.