Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1860-07-04

2, Death of a venerated and Usefhl Man.
Departed this life, athis residence in the city Of
Raleigh, on the 18th juno, John B. Bobbitt lie
was horn in the year 1857. February 6, and died IN
his yourth year. 1t falls to the lot of very
few men TO have been in their day so useful as ne
has been in his.
For some reason, which the writer knew,
but is now forgotten, his father, worthy, humble,
and laborious citizen of Franklin county, resolved
to send him to the University; thing rarely done
in that day, except by parents educated themselves
or on account of some prec1cious exhibition OF intel
ect which stimulated the parent to the enterprise oil
bcstowing an extraordinary education.
His class graduated in 1906 himself being
distinguished amongst the most worthy. The edu-
Gated men in the State were then very few, and the
educational spirit throughout the State was exceed
ngly cold and langud. This feeling but stimulated
him to undertake what then was, and subsequently
proved to be- the decided intent and purpose OF his
life; namely, 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
WeStrayville 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 without competition in
a 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 to his
pupils
After remaining at this place five years, he re-
moved to Oak Grove, in Franklin county. where lie
taught three wears; thence he went to I.ouisburg
in the year 1915, and at that place in Brunswick
county, Va, in this city-a period Of about forty
years-hc continued his school in the higher de-
partmentS of literature. lie removed to this city in
he and thnrnn ar
school till his last illness.
At LOuiSburg, about the year 1916. he married
his wife, then engaged as 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 cduca
ted descendants from that section Of the State who
having experienced his superior capacity, desired to
transplant him into their 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 distin-
gui>hed men, in and out of the State. In many re-
spectS he pre-emnently 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
a learned profession, easy and so profitable
u
moral qualities equally necessary for success. He
patient, mild attentive, just and impartial In
his government he ruled with kindness and gentle
persuasion, and rarely used other Of coercion
And IL, as was sometimes said his rcins lay too
loosely in his hands, yet such the sngleness OF
his heart and the amiable 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 student
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 he 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 n dear friend.
OF man tempered and proved in the trials Of
the school it is scarcely necessary to ask about
his conduct in the social relations Of life. His high
sense Of justice and the mercul and tender diSpo-
sition of his nature secured to every object about
him his most affeconate regard. No man was
more sincerely meek in his behavior OF more truly
upright in his dealings with his fellow-men. Nor
was there any one 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 as
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
may truly say Of him, that he filled most ex-
ceent and honorable destiny with such credit that
he has secured for himself place amongst the for
tunate.
APUPIL.