The Canon City record with which is consolidated the Canon City cannon., 1919-06-12
Oldest Citizen
Passes Away

Erasmus Smith Hobart. Canon City,s
Oldest citizen. passed peacefully away
at the home of his son, W. E. Hobart.
2zo Harrison avenue. a few minutes
after O'Clock Thursday morning.
from apop'exy resulting from blood
clof on the brain, following a shor.
Illness Mr.. Hobart was born AT Day
ton. o., January II. 1927. and died
at the advanced age OF 90 years
months and 10 days. Mr.. Hobart was
In many respects remarkable man.
especially in the matter or health and
vitality Few men of half his years
had escaped physical ills to the same
extent that he had. in fact his friends
can hardly remember the time when
he complained of sickness or pain pre-
vicus to the last few days of his life.
He seemed 20 have been largely i'm
mune from those distresses of bod so
common to the majority of mank md
Even in his old age he complained
little from sickness of any kind and.
his friends had predicted that he
would round out a full century of exis-
fence before the end came
His exceptional vigor and vitality
was probably due in large measure
fc his temperate life and his avoid
ance of those things which undermine
human endurance. He was syste-
matte in his exercise and took long
walks daily. fact which contributed
rc whoiesomeness of mind and body.
There has been hardly a day for sew
eral years that Mr.. Hobart was not
seen upon the streets. and none unac
quainted with him suspected his great
age. for there was nothing in his ap-
pearance or actions TO indicate that
he had passed the ninetieth milestone
of his existence. In appearance he
resembled the late Senator Shelby NJ
culiom of Illinois, and not a few peo-
pie who knew the Senator mistook
Mr.. Hobart for the framer of the inter
state commerce bill enacted by Con-
gress and now in operation and effect
There was between the two men a
likeness that made mistaken ident-
ity'' an easy matter.
A week ago last Wednesday Mr.
Hobart had a nervous chill and from
that time on his decline was rapid.
For a day or two there was reason to
believe that his vitality would be suf-
ficient to enable him TO dissolve tie
clot that had formed on his brain.
but this hope was elusive and for a
day or two before the end il was ap-
parent that his recovery was impossi-
BILE. He literally fulfilled the poets
wish in his last sleep by wrapping
the drapery of his couch about him
and lying down TO pleasant Dreams =
Mr.. Hobart came 10 Canon City 1e
years ago from Illinois where he had
been engaged in the mercantile bust
ness for many years. He was mar
of the highest honor and utmost in
tegrity. So high was his morality
that he sometimes deemed ii a suffi-
csent substitute for religion. Not un-
I'll few months ago did he become a
member OF the church as his ideals
and attainments in morality seemed
adequate to him 10 assure the saliva
ton OF. his soul. II is difficult to
imagine better man. more devoted
friend and kindly neighbor than Mr..
Hobart He was for many years con-
nected with the Masonic order with a
membership in the Knights Templar
lodge. but for a long period previous
to his death was non-affiliated with
these organizations. owing to his fail
ure TO meet their financial obligations
and attend their sessions.
The funeral took place from the
Wilson undertaking chapel at 2 O'Clock
this afternoon in the presence of the
friends OF the family. The obsequies
were conducted by Rev. Frank
Haughey of the Christian church. The
remains were laid to rest in Lakeside
cemetery.