The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-01-15
Cobb. Jones, Oates, Johnston
 and Jeiks.
or the Number Three Are Natiyes of the state, whie the other Two Came Here In Their
 reutb.

When Chief Justice John R. Tyson yesterday finished administering the oath of office to Governor Conner. Ala- bama had five living ex-Governors- William Jelks at that moment ceased the exercise of the duties of the office of Governor and became, with four other distinguished Alabamians. an ex- Governor.
 The other four are Hon. R. w. Cobb. now living at Woodlawn: Hon. Thomas c. Jones and Hon. William CI Oates of Montgomery, and Hon. Joseph F. Johns- ton of Birmingham. When Governor Jclks returns to his home in Eufaula, Middle Alabama will have three ex- Governors, and North Alabama has two. There are no ex-Goyernors living in South Alabama. It is matter worthy of notice. that relatively. South Ala bama has not produced as many Gov .ernors as Middle and North Alabama, No reason is given for this. It is merely mentioned as an Interesting fact. A
 The oldest of the ex-Governors from every point is exGoverror R. W. Cobb. now spending the evening of his life ernor is 7S years of age. He was Gov ernor of Alabama from 1878 to 1882. At that time he was a citizen of Shelby County. After he had served a term as Governor, Judge Cobb accepted an appointment as probate judge of shelby County to reconcile strong and hos tile political factions of the county
 Gov. Cobb an AInbnmfan.
 Governor Cobb was a native of Ala County. Feb. 25, 1s2s His .father John Cobb. was q man of ability and some distinction, having served several terms in the Alabama Legislature. and having held commission during the Creek war.
 Young Cobb sraduated from the Uni wersity of Tennessee at Knoxville when he was IS years of age. In 1855. he began the practice of law in shelby Confederate Army as q captain in. the 10th Alabama Infantry, but later he was detached from the command for more important service. He was made captain of a scouting party and rem dered signal service in that capacity.
 He resumed the practice of law in Shelby County when the war had closed, and in 1873 he was elected to the Stats- Senate from the counties of Shelby and Bibb. In 1878, he was elect ed Governor of Alabama. and in 1880 he was given q recollection. serving four years as the chief magistrate.
 Between Governor Cobb's term and the term of Governor Thomas c. Jonss, the next living ex-Governor, two other Governors served the State, each for four years. They were Governor Elm nett O'Neal and Governor Thomas Seay. Both have been dead for mum Der of years.
 Governor Thomas c. Jones was elect ed Governor in 1890. He was re-elect- ed in 1892 and served four years in the office of Governor. Ex-Governor Jones is now United States Judge for the Middle District of Alabama. Governor Jones was born at Macon, Ga, in Mo- yember, lS44. His father was Samuel e. Jones, one of the most distinguished civil engineers of the South. who was connected with the principal railroad enterprises of the South before the war.
 Serves on Gordon's staf.
 The future Governor of Alabama came to Montgomery with his parents in 1850. When the war broke out, he was a boy student at the Virginia Mil itary Institute. He reported to the Confederate authorities for duty, and was assigned to drill recruits at Rich mond. He was given Q place on the stan of General John B. Gordon and followed that leader until the curtain went down at Appomattox. On that day, Governor Jones carried one of the flags of truce when General Lee was preparing to surrender Co General Grant
 Shortly after the war, Governor Jones entered upon the practice of law in Montgomery. He took an active part in city affairs, and several times served as aldermen of the City of Mont gomery.
 Tn 1890, he was nominated for Cover nor over Captain R. F. Kolb. and two years later he defeated Captain kolb,