HON. J. B. DOBYNS (Biography)

[genealogynut]

Taken from History of the State of Kansas, by William G. Cutler

HON J. B. DOBYNS, merchant, was born in Franklin County, Ohio, August 24, 1844.  In 1847, his parents moved to Iowa, remaining there until 1854, when they came to Kansas locating in Linn County.  In 1861, he enlisted in the Sixth Kansas Cavalry, Company E, his father being Captain, and served from July 1861, until January 1865, as Second Corporal.  His father was killed, and he returned home and carried on the farm until 1869, when he located in Howard County and opened a store at Union Centre and was one of the oldest merchants in the county.  In 1877, was elected a member of the Legislature and sold out his business, and in 1878, came to Howard and was employed as salesman in the Elk County store one year.  In 1879, opened a hardware and general merchandise store, which he carried on until spring of 1882, when W. I. Thompson, County Sheriff, became a partner in the business.  They have a store 24 x 80 feet, well filled with goods, and have a splendid trade.  The first years' sales were $15,000, while the sales for 1882 ran up to $40,000.  They also handle farm machinery.  Mr. Dobyns is the present township Trustee, School Treasurer and Secretary of the Howard County Agricultural Society and was Township Trustee  and Clerk nearly all the time he was in Union Centre, and has been prominently identified in the politics of the county.  Is public-spirited and always takes hold of any entrerprise which will benefit the county or town.  Is Under-Sheriff of the county, is a member of E. M. Stanton Post, No 23, G.A.R.; is Secretary of Hope Lodge, No. 155, A.F. & A.M.; member of Howard Chapter, No. 49, and Howard Lodge, No. 135, I.O.O.F..  Was married in 1868 , in  Linn County, Kan., to Miss E. S. Thompson.  They have four children -Lillie, Annie, Ella and Frank.