TOBIN, JOHN - As men engaged in agricultural pursuits reach middle age, they usually begin to think of retirement, their work being of such a nature as to exhaust their energies sooner than that required of men in other walks of life. When they finally decide to leave their farms, they naturally look about for a suitable and pleasant place of residence, where they can enjoy their remaining years, surrounded by the comforts of urban life. A number of the farmers of Central and Southern Illinois have selected Springfield as their final home, knowing that there they can meet with all their requirements, while their investments in city realty will be safe and profitable. One of the men who have thus proven their good sense and become loyal to the city, is John Tobin. He was born east of Columbus, Ohio, Mach 20, 1835, a son of Isaac and Matilda A. (Benton) Tobin, the former born in Virginia and the later in Hagerstown, Md. The father came to Sangamon County in 1853, engaging in farming and thus continuing for about thirty years. At that time he left the farm, moved to Springfield, and was engaged in conducting a grocery business there until his demise.

John Tobin attended school in Ohio and grew to manhood on the farm. He worked with his father in Ohio and in Sangamon County until he began traveling, but after six years of that occupation decided that he preferred farm life and the various lines of business associated with it, and engaged in stock buying. After several years' experience in the latter line, however, he returned to farming, thus continuing a few years, when he retired. Springfield has been his home for thirty-five years. In political faith, he is a Democrat, but he has never taken any active part in local affairs.

Mr. Tobin was married in Morganfield, Ky., to Eliza J. Gillock, the ceremony occurring October 11, 1863. She was born in Sangamon County, August 13, 1842, her father having come to the county in 1840, from Lexington, Ky. Her mother was a native of Ohio. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Tobin, four of whom survive: Lucy, wife of Chester Swanwick, a furniture dealer of Sacramento, Calif.; Jessie, wife of Charles Raymond, proprietor of a large café in Chicago; Beatrice, wife of Henry Opel, of No. 1225 North Eighth Street, Springfield, in the employ of the Illinois Watch Company, and Edward S., residing on the corner of Mason and Klein Streets, Springfield, in the horse shoeing business. There are two grandchildren in the family. Mr. Tobin takes great pride in his children and grandchildren, and is one of the reliable, substantial men of the community in whom those who know him have unlimited confidence.