The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-05-04

portion of Wisconsin and Michigan,
with which interest ne was closely
identified for nearly half Of a century
and in their development he played
conspicuous part
He was born in February, 1912, near
Montreal, Canada, a son of Michael and
Bridget Moran Tobln, natives of Ire.
land. who when young, emigranted. to
Canada where the father was mer-
chant. Michael Tobin died there in
1851, and his widow subsequently
moved to the United States and died in
Florence In 1898 The children born
to them were John. who died mere in
1885; Mrs. Marion Pontbriand ther
husband died in 1887 who still resides
in Florence. and James, the subject of
this sketch. The latter was reared in
Canada where he received a common
school education. When young lad
he lett that country and for period
was employed on sailing boats flying
between Boston and New Brunswick,
and for two years during the civil war
he was engaged in transporting troops
on the James River and through the
South In 1868 he went to Marquette
County, Mich. where he was engaged
in smelling ore and bad charge OF q
blast furnace until 1873 also at inter
walls during that period he was engaged
in locating mineral and timber lands.
In April. 1869. at Marquette, Mich,
Mr.. Tobin was married TO Miss Ger
trude LeClaire, daughter of Mr.. and
Mrs. Michael LeClaire, natives OF
Canada and who became pioneers OF
Marquette and subsequently residents
OF Florence. The wife OF Captain
Tobin died here about fifteen years ago.
In April, 1887. he came to what Is
now Florence County. which lands
we're then in their primitive state with
little or no evidence of civilization. he
having come to take charge of the ex
plorations OF the Commonwealth Iron
Company. the old Commonwealth mine
having been located, although only a
few tests had been made No wagon
road had Deen cut and the surroundings
were most primitive. Capt. Tobin
opened up the mine and became its
superintendent. which position he held
until 1881 Later he was interested III
tho Merrick Lumber Company in this
,tt al FrlI ~
located mineral and timber lands in
Florence County, Wis. and Iron and
Gogebic Counties. Mich Among the
well known mining properties discov-
cred and opened up by Capt. Tobiu
was the Hollister and Tobin mines in
the Crystal Falls district, and also
some OF the we'll known properties in
the Wakefield, Mich, district. Later
he operated a fine farm Immediately
adjoining this city and retired few
years ago 10 take a well earned rest
Most of the time in recent years he
made mis- home with his nephew.
James j. Pontbriand, county clerk of
Florence County. in this city, and once
or twice each year made extended
visits with his niece and adopted
daughter. Belle. wife OF l.. G. Thouin
at Hibbing Mimi. His sister, Mrs.
Marion Pontbriand, and nephew, Fred
Pontbriand, are living upon the old
Tohin farm. Mrs. Fred J. Peerenboom,
of this city. was also a niece OF the de.
ceased. IL is said that Capt TobID
built the first wagon road in Florence
County and had been identified with
th growth Of the county since its or
ganization
AT the time OF his death Capt. Tobin
was member in good standing OF
Fisher Lodge. +. a. A. NJ. No. 222.
and also of Marquette Chapter Royal
Arch Masons. The Captain was a
genial gentleman of the old school type
and most lovable and delightful com.
panion aud friend. He was we'll and
fsyorsbly known throughout Northern
Wisconsin, the upper peninsula OF
Michigan and on the Mesaba range in
Minnesota. and thousands OF friends
and acquaintance will mourn his
sudden passing. Florence Mining
News