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Biographical History of Cherokee County, Iowa
W. S. Dunbar & Co., Chigago - 1889

[page 507-508]

    GATES M. FOBES was born in Ontario County, New York, in the town of
    Gorham, August 25, 1826.  His father, ENOCH FOBES, was a native of
    Massachusetts, born in 1786, of Scotch descent; he was a farmer by
    occupation and an early settler of Western New York.  He married
    SABRA GATES, who was born in Western New York, a daughter of PERLEY
    and ORPHA GATES.  They were the parents of one child only.  GATES M.
    FOBES remained in his native State until he had grown to manhood. He
    attended an academy, and afterward entered Lima College, pursuing his
    studies in that institution for two years.  He returned to his home
    and assisted his father, who did an extensive farming and milling
    business; he remained with his father until he reached his twenty-
    fourth year, when he was united in marriage to Miss EMILY BLODGETT,
    a daughter of JOSEPH and CAROLINE (CATLIN) BLODGETT.  Mr. and Mrs.
    FOBES are the parents of six children: SABRA E., wife of HENRY MALTBY;
    ORSON B., clerk of the County Courts of Cherokee; LINDA E., wife of
    FRANK E. ROBINSON; LUCY G., a teacher of music; AGNES M. and SUSAN E.,
    school teachers.  On the mother's side of the house there have been
    several generations of teachers, and the mantle has not fallen on
    unworthy shoulders in the present generation.  After his marriage Mr.
    FOBES settled in Ontario County, and took charge of his father-in-law's
    mills, remaining there five years.  In 1855 he removed to Winneshiek
    County, Iowa, and settled on a tract of Government land which he
    cultivated for six years; he then removed to the town of Decorah, in
    order to give his children better educational advantages; there he
    resided seventeen years.  At one time he owned large farming interest,
    but sold out to engage in the business of packing pork; he entered into
    partnership with G. F. FRANCIS and MORGAN HOWARD, and the business was
    continued four years.  At the end of this time he sold out and came to
    Cherokee, Iowa; this was in the years 1876.  He purchased a tract of
    320 acres in Amherst Township, which is now occupied by his son-in-law,
    Mr. MALTBY.  Mr. FOBES is living on his little farm of forty-six acres
    within the corporate limits of Cherokee.  He has turned his attention
    to the breeding of fine trotting horses, and has sold one animal for
    $2,700.  He owns several, nine at least, standard-bred fine Hamble-
    tonian horses, and other trotting breeds.  Mr. FOBES is a member of
    Oakfield Lodge, No. **, I.O.O.F., of Genesee County, New York, and
    organized by HORACE GREELEY in 1846.

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