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THOMAS JEFFERSON DOBBS
Originally published in 1900 |
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THOMAS JEFFERSON DOBBS, a member of the old family which gave
its name to Dobbs Ferry-on-the-Hudson, is the son of Frederick Fowler
Dobbs. who was born at Dobbs Ferry, N. Y., in 1800, was engaged in the
business of shad-fishing, and died at North Bergen, Hudson County, February
14, 1854. Frederick F. Dobbs's wife, Leah Carting, whom he married
in 1836, died March 10, 1888. His parents were Jerry Dobbs and
Jane Fowler, daughter of Vincent Fowler, of Dobbs Ferry, with whom
Aaron Burr stopped for a time after his celebrated duel with Alexander
Hamilton in 1804. The site of this duel is near the present residence of
Thomas J. Dobbs, in Weehawken. Thomas J. Dobbs's maternal grandfather,
Michael Carling, lived at Kingston, N. Y., and married Margaret,
a daughter of John Bartholf. Force of circumstances compelled John
Bartholf to serve the British during the Revolution, and he was instrumental, while carrying powder, in defeating General Wayne's attempt
to capture the block-house, just north of Guttenberg, on the Hudson,
opposite New York City. Mr. Dobbs's paternal great-grandfather was
a pilot and ship's carpenter, who served the patriot cause during the
Revolution, building batteaux for Washington across the Hudson. Dobbs
Ferry was named after him and his family. Mr. Dobbs's grandfather, Jerry
Dobbs, was also a carpenter, and was killed by accident at Tappan.
Rockland County. N. Y. The present Mr. Dobbs is a worthy descendant
of this interesting family, and enjoys the highest esteem of a wide range
of friends and acquaintances throughout Hudson County and beyond its
boundaries.
Thomas J. Dobbs was born in North Bergen Township, now Nest New York, Hudson County, March 7, 1841, and received his education in the public schools at Bulls Ferry. He worked with his father until the latter's death, February 14, 1834, following the calling of a shad-fisherman. After working for a time with others in the same business he established himself in 1860 in the business of quarrying pavement stones, which he conducted for many years. On July 26, 1864, he enlisted in the United States Navy, and was honorably discharged July 6, 1865. He was on blockade duty at Wilmington, N. C., and on the James River, and was in action at Howlett House and other engagements. His two brothers, Henry and Richard, also served in the Union Army during the Rebellion, the former in the Twenty-second New Jersey Volunteers and the latter in the Sixth California Infantry. At the close of the Civil War Mr. Dobbs resumed the quarrying business which he had established, and successfully carried it on for some time. Afterward he was engaged in the ice business, about seven years, in which he was no less successful. He sometimes put up as much as 3,300 tons of ice in a winter. Still later he followed successfully the business of piledriving, while he served as inspector and timekeeper for John H. Bonn, in connection with the piledriving for the old iron bridge or viaduct at the West Shore ferry in Weehawken. Mr. Dobbs has also established a considerable reputation as an inventor. His important inventions include an apparatus for clearing spiked cannon, an unconnectable harness, and other devices. He is a member of Ellsworth Post, No. 14, G. A. R., of Union Hill. He has long been one of the prominent leaders of the Republican party in Hudson County, and has held a number of local offices. In the Town of West New York, where he resides, he has served with credit in the positions of Collector of Taxes, Town Treasurer (two terms-1867 and 1878), School Trustee (several years), and Town Committeeman (three years). For several years he was a court officer in Hudson County. On July 29, 1880, he married Eliza Wiley, daughter of John M. Wiley and Matilda Young, of West New York. They have four children: Leah, Thomas Jefferson, Jr., Aaron B., and Matilda Dobbs.
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