My Genealogy Hound

COBB, L. E. retired farmer. L. E. Cobb was born m Burke Co., N. C., Feb. 24, 1810. At the youthful age of nineteen, he set out for the State of Indiana, on foot. The distance, 500 miles was made on foot not over a broad level prairie, like many who settled in the West in an early day, but on his way, which comprised considerable of the distance, he crossed the range of mountains known as the Blue Ridge, in North Carolina, and Clinch and Cumberland. This long distance was traversed in twelve days, giving the reader some idea of the strength of character and indomitable will of the hardy pioneers, who will soon be known only in history. Arriving in Indiana, Mr. Cobb secured employment in a tannery, also worked as farm hand; first entered Illinois in 1832; worked for a blacksmith two weeks, receiving five dollars therefor; his bed at night, a puncheon floor; his covering, deer skins; a life made up of variety surely. Becoming proprietor of a small tannery, he earned his first $100, and purchased eighty acres in Macoupin Co. In Morgan County, he married Miss Mary Crum, daughter of Mathais Crum, a native of Virginia. In 1852, he disposed of his property there and came to Greene Co., where he bought a valuable tract of land, part of which now lies in the corporation of Roodhouse. There are seven children: Joseph, William, John, James, Mary, Margaret and Fanny. On closing this sketch, it is due Mr. Cobb, to state that he has won his way to a leading position through merit.