COBERLY, JOBE - Some men seem able to win friends without effort, their disposition being such as to attract other men to them and hold them fast by bonds of affection. They are to be found in every walk of life and are an addition to a community, for where they are there are not likely to be dissensions or disturbances of any kind, as they are universal peacemakers. One of the most highly respected residents of Springfield, a man who enjoys the friendship of all with whom he has ever been brought in contact, is Jobe Coberly. Mr. Coberly was born in Madison County, Ohio, July 24, 1838, being a son of James and Ellen (Kinney) Coberly. The father was a farmer of Madison County, and he and his wife spent their lives there. They both came of good old pioneer stock, and were universally respected.

Jobe Coberly was brought up in Ohio, receiving a district school education and working on the farm. In 1861, when his country had need of him, Mr. Coberly enlisted in the Thirty-fifth Illinois Infantry, and when his term of service expired he re-enlisted in Company K, One Hundred and Fiftieth Illinois Infantry, serving in the latter for one year and being mustered out in 1865. He participated in a number of the great battles of the war, including those of Stone River, Murfreesboro, Pea Ridge, Chickamauga, Atlanta and others of less importance, and never failed to do his full duty.

Returning home, he engaged in farming for some years, then went into railroad work. Finally, on account of his age, he was relieved and made flagman for the Wabash Railroad. Many men of his age, with such a record back of them would be content to retire, but Mr. Coberly is too active, and takes pleasure in the fact that he is just as useful today as he ever was, although in a different capacity. He belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. His religious faith makes him a Catholic and he belongs to the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Springfield. In politics he is a Republican, loyally supporting the principles of the party Abraham Lincoln helped to found.

In 1878 Mr. Coberly was married in Champaign, Ill., to Elizabeth Porter, daughter of Thomas ane Eliza Porter. The parents were natives of Ireland and came to Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Coberly was born. The father was a shoemaker by trade and eventually came to Champaign, Ill. Mr. and Mrs. Coberly had two children, the elder of whom is Elmer E. During his years of toil Mr. Coberly has been mindful of the future, always saving something from his earnings, and now owns his home at No. 1227 East Madison street. In his gentle, kindly way, Mr. Coberly has made himself a general favorite and has gained the esteem and respect of employers and neighbors for his faithfulness and industrious habits.