Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-07-04

Death of a Venerased and Useful Man.
Departed this life, at his residence in the city Of
Raleigh, on the 25th june, John B. Bobbitt He
was born in the year 1887. February 6, and died in
his seventy.fourth year. 1t falls to the lot Of very
few men to have been in their day useful as he
has been in his
For some reason, which the writer once knew,
but is now forgotten his father, a worthy, humble
and aberious citizen of Franklin county, resolved
to serd him to the University; thing rarely done
IN that day, except by parents educated themselves
or on account Of some precocious exhibition Of intel
ect which stimulated the parent to the enterprise of
bestowing an extraordinary education.
His class was graduated in 1906, himself being
distinguished amongst the most worthy. The edu-
Gated men in the State then very few, and the
educational spirit throughout the State was exceed
ingy cold and languid This feeling but stimulated
him to undertake what then was, and subsequently
proved to be- the decided intent and purpose of his
life; nslnely, TO instruct the youth of the State
Stimulated by this purpose, he set up in the coun-
ty of Nash, about the year 1907, at place called
Westrayvile, school in which he taught the Latin
and Greek languages, and such English branches as
were then deemed the higher and more admired
The reputation of his ripe scholarship. for which he
was distinguished at college, went forth and was
spread abroad before he obtained his degree, and
when he took charge at the age of twenty years.
of his first academy. he was without competition in
q wide spread scope of agricultural country, and
gathered around him at once prosperous school,
which speedily increased in numbers to the fullest
extent of his ability to bestow due attention
pupils.
After remaining at this place five years. he r.
moved to Oak Grove in Franklin county, where he
taught three years; thence he went to Lolsburg,
in the year 1875 and at that place. in Brunswick
county, Va, in this city-a period of about forty
years-he continued his school in the higher de-
partmens of literature He removed to this city in
the year ls49, and taught either open or select
school till his last illness
At Louisburg about the year 1916, he married
his wife, then engaged popular and efficient in
structress in the female academy of that place.
This lady survives him, after union of upwards
Of forty years.
His removal to Virginia was induced by the earn
est solicitation of his early patrons and their educa
ted descendants from that section of the State who
having experienced his superior capacity, desired to
transplant him into their own vicinity.
Mr.. Bobbitt spent upwards of half century with
out interruption, in the instruction of youth; and
not long before his death he enumerated the number
of his pupils at between eight and ten thousand
Among them have been, and are now, many dstin-
guiShed men, in and out of the State In many re-
spects he was prominently qualified for the en-
ploymcnt which, through choice. he selected at
time when educated lawyers. and educated doctors
were so scarce and the way to preferment, through
learned profession, was so easy and so profitable.
To literary qualifications Of high grade, he added
moral qualities equally necessary for success. He
was patient mild attentive, just and impartial. In
his government he ruled with kindness and gentle
persuasion, and rarely used other means of coercion.
And If, was sometimes said, his reins lay too
loosely in his hands, yet such was the singcness of
his heart, and the amiabe simplicity and dignity of
his demeanor and manner, that he escaped always
being the object Of either hatred or contempt. On
the contrary he was reverenced and loved even by
those whom he could not control; and no student
ever lift his school under the ban of its discipline
without bearing in his bosom feelings of profound
respect and tender regard for his teacher
Indeed it may be said with confidence that. of the
many hundreds of his pupils who survive him and
will hear Of his DEATH there is not one who will not
feel such SORROW at the news as he would for the
loss of dear friend
Of man so tempered and proved in the trials of
the school room it is scarcely necessary to ask about
his conduct in the social relations of life. His high
sense Of justice, and the merciful and tender dispo
sition of his nature, secured to every Object about
him his most affectionate regard. No man was
more sincerely meek in his behavior or more truly
upright in his dealings with his feow-men. Nor
there any more charitable to the necessities
of the poor.
He was ever proud of the distinctions and honors
gained by his pupils, and seemed to regard them
honoring himself He was also proud of the occu-
patton in which he had spent his life; and in TRUTH
we'll might he be. for there are indeed few in the
State who can point to so many evidences. or to
such conclusive proof Of usefulness to his fellow
men, with less hope Of reward.
And now that his labors arc closed and the vicis-
STUDIES of life affect his earthly career
we may truly say of him, that he filled most ex-
ceent and honorable destiny with such credit that
I. L.. Co. A.
tunate.
A PUPIL.