Jesse Hobson

Jesse Hobson was born Jan 26, 1812 in Randolph, North Carolina to Nathan Harvey and Rebecca Freeman Hobson. Jesse Hobson served two missions for the Church of Jesus Christ: one to the Pawnee and Ponca Native Americans and another in England. Jesse Hobson served as a member of the Utah Territorial House of Representatives. Jesse Hobson is a Pioneer of Richmond. Jesse is a veteran of the Indian Wars. Jesse Hobson served as the second Mayor of Richmond.

Early Life

The Hobson family moved quite often in Jesse's early life. The family wouldn't settle until 1825 when they moved to Montgomery County, Indiana.2

During his youth, the Daughtrey family moved close to the Hobson family, and Jesse became interested in their oldest daughter Catherine. During this time, missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints visited the area and taught Jesse and Catherine. They were converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1835 and Jesse was baptized on April 10. However, just four days before his baptism, Jesse and Catherine were married.2

The Hobson family moved to Jesse's aunt and uncle Bailey and Clarissa Stewart Hobson in 1835 in Dupage County, Illinois, the county just west of Chicago. They continued to live near and in Chicago before moving to Hancock County, Illinois in 1841. In 1844, they moved into Nauvoo, Illinois to help protect against mobsters.2

Native American Mission

Soon after the assassination of Church President Joseph Smith, Brigham Young instructed the Hobson family and 60 other saints to move to the Nebraska Territory to make friends with the Pawnee and Ponca Natives. The reason was that the Saints could not have any troubles while trekking to the Rocky Mountains. They moved to Vermillion, Dakota Territory in Feb of 1845.2

In 1846, the family finally moved into the Nebraska Territory, the exact location where is unknown, however, one of Jesse's sons was born in Grand Island, Nebraska. They moved back to Nauvoo in July of 1846.2

Westward Journey and Life in Salt Lake

After the death of one of his sons, the Hobson family moved to Pigeon, Iowa in 1846. They continued to live there until their departure to the Rocky Mountains. The Hobson family joined the Benjamin Gardner Company on June 2, 1852. They arrived in the Salt Lake Valley on Sep 24 and promptly moved to Farmington, Utah to a farm.2

On Aug 6, 1855, Jesse Hobson was voted to be a member of the Utah Territorial House of Representatives. He represented Davis County and held this position until Jan 18, 1856.2

In 1856, Jesse Hobson was called to serve a mission to England and was ordained a member of the Seventy. He served the mission until 1858.2

On April 10, 1859, Jesse entered the practice of polygamy by marrying Nancy Henderson in Kaysville, Utah.2

Life in Richmond

The Hobson family moved to Richmond in 1861. Jesse married Sarah Dowell on June 29, 1865 in Richmond. They only had one child who lived to adulthood.2

Indian Wars Service

After the construction of the Richmond Fort in 1860 and other forts in Cache Valley, the Territory of Utah created the Cache Military District on Oct 15, 1861 with Church Apostle Ezra T. Benson as Colonel. Richmond was organized as the 5th Battalion Infantry, with Thomas L. Whittle as Major, David P. Rainy as Adjutant, and Robert M. Kerr and Dana Walton as Captains. Jesse was appointed a Private.

On June 16, 1863, Richmond was organized into two companies of Infantry and two squads of Cavalry. Jesse was appointed a Lieutenant.

Mayoral Term (1872 - 1876)

Jesse Hobson served as the second Mayor of Richmond from 1872-1876. Due to pore recording, not much information was preserved about Jesse Hobson's Mayoral Term. An interesting fact is that in his first City Council Meeting in 1876, they motioned to hold the Meetings every Saturday evening of every week instead of every first Monday of the month. 

Mayor Hobson was a key in building the foundation of education for Richmond. On October 12, 1872, "it was moved... that one man be elected from each division and one appointed by the city council to form a board of education." On November 16, 1872, the City Council divided up the land into four school districts or wards.1.1 A week later, School Trustees for each ward were created.1.2 On December 16, 1872, a tax was created for educational purposes.1.3

On the City Council of December 16, 1872, Henry Standage was appointed the first Attorney at Law for the city.

According to family history, "When he wanted to resign, the people of Richmond flatly refused to accept his resignation. But because of poor health he could not continue."2   Jesse Hobson was succeeded by William Beers.

Epilogue