The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-12
JAMES NOBLE, SR., DIES AT ANNISTON Was Pioneer In Building of the
 Model City FUNERAL SERVICES TODAY Welded the First Locomotive Tires Ever Cut and Welded In the United
 states-He Began Low
 In Life.
 
FUNERAL SERVICES TODAY

Anniston, February 1.-(Special)-T funeral services over the remains of James Noble, Sr., who died at his home and Leighton avenue, yesterday evening, after a short illness of bronchitis, will be held at Grace church tomorrow after noon and the remains will be laid to rest in Hillside cemetery.
 The Rev. J. H. Blaclxlock, pastor of St. Michael's and All Angels church, as- sisted by pr. Glass of Grace church, will officiate, the EllSs and probably other fra ternal orders attending in body. Grand sons of the deceased will act as pail bearers as follows: c. M. Noble, Jr Scott Noble, Henry Noble Bennie Bell, Gra- ham Bell and Noble Bell.
 As one of the pioneer citizens and a former Mayor of Anniston, MT. Noble worked hand-in-hand with his noted brothers. the Tylers and the late Duncan Parker in the building of the Model City He was a man of broad sympathy, keen intellect and good judgment, being an indefatigable worker. He was kind-heart- ed and generous and a man of great moral worth.
 Sketch of His Life.
 The life of James Noble, Sr., is typical of the best that America affords, and fur nishes striking inspiration for the American youth, he having risen from the ranks of poor employe working upon a salary of 50 cents per week to the I.f T 4a,,4 the city of Anniston can give. He was born In Cornwall, England, July 2S, 1882, being the son of James and Jenifer (Ward) Noble, both of whom were natives of England, coming to the United States in 1887, and locating in Pennsylvania, where they remained until 1855. They then removed to Rome, Ga, where MT. Noble built machine shop and foundry and re- mained there until 1885. James Noble was a poor man when he removed to Alabama, and was unable to give his children more than common school education. He was the first foreman of the Philadelphia and Reading shops, and welded the first loco motive tires ever cut and welded in the United States. It was due to this poverty of his father that the subject of this sketch was taken out of school in his early youth and put to work in a to- bacco factory at $2 per month. He never reconciled himself to a subordinate po- sition, though, and achieved despite pow erty and untoward circumstances.
 In 1A9 MT. Noble married Jane Scott, a daughter of old England. Their mar riage was blessed by nine children, among them being Dixon, Jennie, Charles M., Anna, George and Mary. MT. Noble re- moved to Rome, Ga, in 1S57, and while there he built the Alfred Shorter" the first locomotive ever constructed in the south, it having drawn more troops during the civil war than any other engine. After a short interim spent in Atlanta, he re- turned to Rome and was Mayor of that city in 1S64-65. He was also the,hrst chief of the Rome fire department, holding the office for three successive terms. While in Atlanta, MT. Noble established him. self in the boiler-making business, being city alderman in 1S62-63.
 In 1873 MT. Noble removed to Macon, where he remained two years before re- turning to Alabama, having located at Jenifer in 1879. Here he assisted in the construction of the narrow-gauge railroad from Jenifer to Clifton, and was the first engineer on that road. After remaining in Jenifer about IS months he returned to Anniston and engaged in the boiler and sheet iron business, later becoming part ner in the Anniston Foundry and Machine company.
 MT. Noble was always a consistent dem- ocrat, and was also active in secret or ders. having been an Odd Fellow, an Elk and Mason, taking the Royal Arch de- gree in the last named lodge In Pennsyl- vania on April 15, 1863. He took the coun- cl degree in Rome in 1865. He was a member of the Episcopal church and has always lived a sober upright life. He has over score of grandchildren living in and around Anniston.