The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-11-02
DEATH OF John I. HOBBS,
One or WhssIIBg's Prominent and En-.
teFpFiSInK Citizens.

NAFHEAAAAA kANAANAR
A dispatch was received in this city yes
terday morning conveying the information
that John l., Hobbs, Esq, one Of the Oldest
and most prominent citizens of this city had
died early in the morning near Philadelphia.
His remains will be brought TO this city, for
interment.
At the time OF his death Mr.. Hobbs was in
the 18th year OF his age, For some time
past his health had been feeble and the final
dissolution was looked for, but not expected
so suddenly. He was away from the city for
the benefit OF his health. He was gentle
man widely known outside OF this vicinity
on account Of his connection with the glass
interests Of this country, he being one Of the
pioneers in the manufacture and the inVen-
tor Of several improvements, His parents
were in South Carolina, his father doing
some engineering work, in 1914. They were
stationed at Fort Moultrie and 1t was here
that John l., IIobbswas born. They soon after
moved back to New England their home where
his brothers still reside, One OF them, Alfred
Hobbs once claimed the attention OF the
world and acquired considerable fame by
being able TO uRtangle the intricacy OF any
lock the genius OF the world could produce
at the First Worlds Fair in London,
His bOyhOOd was passed IN East Cam
bridge Mass. When quite young he entered
the employment OF the New England Glass
Company. so favorably impressed was this
famous company with his capacity that they
made him Superintendent OF their extensive
cutting department, and salesman, the day
he attained his majority; and such was his
personal popularity that his fell0W'CitiZcns
Of the town elected him seleCtman and
chief engineer OF the Volunteer Fire De-
partment. He was also u member OF the
lanCers, crack military company, and was
in line when Lafayette visited Bunker Hill,
In 1911 he turned his attention TO the rapidly
growing west, and after careful thought con,
GUIDED to commence the manufacture Of
glass in Wheeling, He united with him
Mr.. John Is, Barnes, and in April, lsi1,
they leased the then idle glass works in
South Wheeling formerly owned by Punk
cit & Miller. Here commenced U prosperous
and brilliant business career,
The works at that time consisted OF two
furnaces, containing fourteen of the small
pots then in use. The glass manufactured
was known Us flint" "iead" or full CryS.
tal," and the articles manufactured were So
lar ChimneyS, jars and walls.
In 1910 Mr., j. i. Barnes died and the firm
became composed Of John l.. Hobbs James
+. Barnes and J. II. Hobbs and continued to
do business under the firm name OF Hobbs,
Barnes 4 Co., until 1856 During that time
the works were enlarged and new and i'll
proved furnaces built.
In 1856 the firm became Barnes, Hobbs 4
Co., with the same gentlemen Mt the head
with the addition Of j. X. Durham, In lSM
the name changed to Hobbs 4 Barnes. IN
| February, 1868, the present firm OF j. H.
| Hobbs, BrOCkuniCr 4 Co., was formed and II
was this firm that became famous for almost
completely revOlutiOnizng the character Of
glass and che method and appliances Of fin
ishing 1t. 1t was at this time that Mr.. Hobbs
became convinced that the glass Of the future
would he u glass, In tho manufacture o.
which, lime would be ono OF the principal
ingredients used and that lead wOull bc dis
continued lie purchased matera al and II
spite Of several unsuccessful experiments III
was not discouraged, in eventually attaining
success. These efforts OF Mr.. Hobbs attract
ed much attention and were warmly second
cd by other members OF the firm.
In the fall OF 1868 William Leighton Sr
was admitted intothe firm, and taking Charg'
Of the manufacturing department entered
readily into the prospect of finding q glaS
pure in color and durable, without lead beinl
4 component pArt Of the mixture. Numerous
experiments were made and, ut last sant
Spanish whiting and biCarbonatC OF sod
with the other usual ingredients, were fOunl
to make u brilliant and durable article
As before stated, Mr.. Hobbs, with hiscarly
partners, had many difficulties to meet ant
overcome but by his well known, steady anC
conscientious work he moved continually
forward
In 1867 he retired from active serviCeat tht
glass works and hCncefOrth devoted himself
to travel and to his investments, giving con
siderable time to his duties us director Of thu
First National Bank, md In various other in
stitutiOns md especially the Childrcn''
lIomc, in which hswarm and generous hear
felt an abiding interest.
Mr. Hobbs was ono OF those men who, In
quietly and unostentatiOusly attending tC
his own business, was at the same time build
ing up our city in wealth, reputation and
population; who does more for our city or any
city.. than those who inaugurnte and carry on
successfully ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Mr.
Hobbs was not only man Of fine personal
appearance md winning manners, but lie
had agcnuinc manhood and an undoubted In
tcgrty, which commanded the respect oil
every one with whom he came In contact
Few Of our older citizens were more widely
known or had more warm personal friends,