One of the most prominent and useful residents of the Fountain Green community, Mrs. Rubie Day Hobart, passed away during the early morning hours Saturday, Aug. 14, 1948, at St. Francis hospital in Macomb.

The daughter of John William and Ella (Yetter) Day, she was born a few miles south of Fountain Green Feb. 10, 1886.  As a child she attended the Pennsylvania rural school, later coming to Fountain Green and continuing her public school work here.  Having early developed an alert mentality and fondness for books, she determined to become a teacher, so in order to bring this ambition to fruition, she attended Macomb Teachers' College, a private institution of higher education, conducted there before the advent of the State Normal.

After completing her college course she embarked upon her career as a teacher, a profession which she continued to follow with great success for over 20 years, being considered one of the best public school teachers in the county.

June 16, 1907, she was united in marriage to Leland S. Hobart, of the Webster community, where the new home was established.  A number of years later they purchased the farm home one mile south of Fountain Green, where they have since resided.

Being a great lover of flowers and an expert in their cultivation, Mrs. Hobart, with the assistance of her husband, began immediately to beautify her lawn and garden with plants and shrubs, so that for many years theirs has been one of the most attractive homes in the community.  Not only was she very adept at growing flowers, but she was equally generous in sharing them with others, many a sickroom having been cheered and brightened with her beautiful and artistically arranged bouquets. She also made a practice of bringing lovely baskets of flowers to church each Sunday, from early spring until the last flower faded in the late autumn.  Likewise, her lovely blossoms have brought untold comfort to many hearts bowed down with grief over the passing of loved ones.

From early childhood Rubie attended the Majorville Methodist Sunday School and church, with which she united at the age of 12, and in which she was an active worker for many years.  After moving nearer to Fountain Green she began attending the Fountain Green Presbyterian church, but retained her membership at Majorville to the last.  For a number of years she taught the teen-age girls' class in the Presbyterian Sunday School, and at the time of her death was the teacher of the ladies' class.  Many are the pleasant memories of her conscientious and earnest teaching and of the many delightful social gatherings which those privileged to study under her had the opportunity of enjoying in her home.

She was a charter member of the Fountain Green Social Circle and Sarah G. Houston Guild, as well as the Majorville Social Circle.  In the two former organizations she has been the very efficient treasurer for several years.  She gave unstintingly of her time and talents to every organization of which she was a member and was a loyal and generous supporter of every worthwhile project, whether it was local, national or worldwide in scope.  She was a woman of high ideals, very broad minded and democratic in her thinking and sincere in all that she did.  She believed in equality and justice for all people, regardless of class, race or creed and had the courage of her convictions.  In all things she practiced what she preached, so that it can be said of her that she was a "doer of the wor, and not a hearer only."

While Mr. and Mrs. Hobart had no children of their own, in 1924, upon the death of her sister-in-law, Mrs. Charles Day, who left four small children, they took into their home two of these motherless little ones, namely, Charles and Mary Elizabeth Day, to whom they gave much love and parental care.  Later, the two remaining brothers, Fay and Clarence Day, likewise found under this roof tree a hearty welcome and wise and loving counsel, so that they too soon came to call it home.  To all the other nieces and nephews and to her aged parents, so long as they lived, she and Mr. Hobart also showed every possible kindness and consideration.

Although Mrs. Hobart has not been in the best of health for a number of years, because of her boundless will-power and indomitable spirit she continued to faithfully perform her household duties and her obligations to her church and community, untill illness finally compelled her last November to lay aside some of the responsibilities devolving upon her.  After several months of medical treatment and rest, at home, she entered St. Francis hospital, in Macomb, late in January, where she submitted to a major operation.  A few weeks later she was removed to St. Mary's hospital in Galesburg, for a course of x-ray treatments, which it was hoped would restore her to health and strength.  After returning home the latter part of March, she showed some slight improvement, for a little time, which led her family and friends to hope that perhaps she was at last on the road to recovery.  However, a few weeks ago her strength again began to wane and last Tuesday she was again taken to St. Francis hospital, where the end came early Saturday morning.  During these months of illness she has had the constant and faithful attention of her devoted husband, her niece, Mrs. Twila Yard, who is a registered nurse, as well as all that other relatives and friends could do to make her comfortable.

Left to mourn her untimely passing, in addition to her husband, are one brother, Lawrence Day, of near Colchester, seven nieces and nephews: Edward Day, Mrs. Twila Yard and Arlin Day, all of the Majorville neighborhood, Mrs. Alta Frances Wood, of Burlington, Iowa, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Vandeventer, of Des Moines, Iowa, William Day, of Galesburg, and Fay Day, of New York City, also an uncle, Maurice Yetter, of Fountain Green.  Her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Day, her sister, Mrs. Mabel Campbell, her brothers, Charles and James Day, and two infant brothers, also the nephews, Charles and Clarence Day and Day Campbell and one niece, Dorothy Day, preceded her in death.

As a token of the high regard in which she was held, the Sarah G. Huston Guild and other friends in the Presbyterian church and Sunday School last January presented her with an honorary life membership in the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, an honor which pleased her greatly.  Of Mrs. Hobart it can be truly said that this world is a better place because she lived and a poorer now that she has gone from it.

Funeral services for Mrs. Hobart were held at the Fountain Green Presbyterian church Tuesday afternoon, the pastor, Dr. James Sterenberg, officiating.  H. K. Hulson, of Colchester, accompanied by his wife, sang two selections, the first being a hymn entitled "Golden Dawn," which was just recently composed by Mr. Hobart's sister, Mrs. Frances Hobart Wright, who lives in the state of Washington.

Pallbearers were nephews of the deceased, William, Arlin, Edward and Fay Day, Duane Yard and Floyd Wood.  Burial was in Majorville cemetery.

At Mrs. Hobart's request, no money was spent for flowers, except for a few baskets sent by near relatives.  However, bouquets of home grown flowers, arranged by friends and neighbors, were in evidence, as a token of appreciation of the many bouquets which Mrs. Hobart had so generously given to others through the years.

Rubie was a teacher at Woodville School during the 1906 and 1907 school terms.

Having attained the advanced age of four score and four years, Leland Sanford Hobart, a highly esteemed resident of the Fountain Green community for most of these years, passed away Monday, June 15, 1964 at a nursing home in Dothan, Alabama, where he had been a patient for the past six months.

The son of Pardon and Florence (McCumber) Hobart, Leland was born near Webster on New Year's Day, 1880.  He received his education in the public schools of that village and was married on January 16, 1907* to Miss Ruby Day of the neighboring Majorville vicinity, who for many years was one of this area's most successful school teachers.

The entire forty-one years of their married lives were spent in and around Webster and Fountain Green.  For a number of years Leland served acceptably as postmaster at Webster, later taking up farming, an occupation which he followed for the remainder of his active life.

A good many years ago the Hobarts purchased a farm one mile south-east of Fountain Green, which they greatly improved, remodeling the house and landscaping the lawn, so that it soon became one of the most attractive homes in the community, their beautiful flower garden being the envy of all who saw it.

In addition to operating the farm, Leland also conducted a hardware business in Fountain Green for quite a number of years.

Shortly after the death of his wife on August 14, 1948, Mr. Hobart disposed of his farming interests and moved to Carthage, returning to Fountain Green community quite often to attend church and renew old friendships.

Some five or six years ago when failing health forced him to give up his own home, he moved to Alabama and took up residence with his brother, Howard and wife at Dothan.

There he received kind and considerate care and attention not only from his brother and wife, but also from their daughter, Marilynn, until a few months ago when his condition became such as to make it possible for him to no longer be cared for at home, at which time he entered the rest home where professional nursing care was available.  It was there that he passed away, as noted above.

While Mr. and Mrs. Hobart were never blessed with children of their own, many years ago they took into their home two of the motherless children of Mrs. Hobart's brother, namely Charles and Mary Elizabeth (Gittings) Day, who ever received loving care and wise council from Uncle Leland and Aunt Rubie.  These children remained with them until they were grown.  Charles tragic death in a auto accident when he was just a young man bringing great saddness to his uncle and aunt.

Mary Elizabeth, now Mrs. Herbert Van Deventer of Des Moines, Iowa, always a great joy to them, and she, in turn held them in loving affection and respect.

Left to mourn his passing, in addition to Mrs. Van Deventer are two brothers, Howard of Dothan, Alabama and Hiram of Denver, Colorado, and sister, Mrs. Frances Cromwell of Seattle, Washington, as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

Three brothers, Will, Frank, and Orin, and two sisters, Mrs. Ida Mosley and Mrs. Ruth Rings preceded him in death, as did his parents.

A man of more than average intelligence, Mr. Hobart read extensively and was well informed on national and world affairs, as well as on companions at the local level.  While not one to seek public office for himself he was keenly interested in politics and good government.

For many years he attended the Fountain Green Presbyterian church, where he served very capably on the Board of Trustees for several items. [sic]

A quiet, unassuming man, he will be remembered as a faithful husband, a kind and accomodating neighbor and an upstanding citizen.

Mr. Hobart's remains were returned to the Fecht funeral home in Carthage where relatives received friends last Friday evening.  Funeral services were held at the church in Fountain Green on Saturday afternoon, with the pastor of the Carthage Presbyterian church officiating.  Burial was in Majorville cemetery, nephews of the deceased serving as pallbearers.

The beautiful floral offerings and the goodly number of friends and former neighbors in attendance at the funeral attested to the respect which Mr. Hobart was held.

*Rubie's obituary stated they were married on June 16, 1907.  The LaHarper published on June 28, 1907, carried an item about their marriage.

Hobart, Poodon, white, male, 30, married, farmer, born IL, father born MA, mother born VT
Florence M, white, female, 27, wife, married, keeping house, born OH, father born VA, mother born OH
Polly M, white, female, 71, mother, widow, at home, born VT, father born NH, mother born VT
William C, white, male, 5, son, single, at home, born IL, father born IL, mother born OH
Frank, white, male, 4, son, single, at home, born IL, father born IL, mother born OH
Ida M, white, female, 2, daughter, single, at home, born IL, father born IL, mother born OH
Leland, white, male, 6/12, born Jan, son, single, at home, born IL, father born IL, mother born OH

Hobart, Pardon, head, white, male, Nov 1849, 50, widower; [father] of 9 children, 8 living; born IL, father born MA, mother born VT, farmer, months not employed - 0, could read, write and speak English, paying on a mortgage on his farm home, farm schedule 112

Ida M, daughter, white, female, Apr 1878, 22, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born OH, houskeeper, could read, write and speak English

Leland, son, white, male, Jan 1880, 20, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born OH, at school for 7 months, could read, write and speak English

Orrin, son, white, male, Mar 1882, 18, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born OH, at school for 7 months, could read, write and speak English

Francis, daughter, white, female, Mar 1884, 16, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born OH, at school for 7 months, could read, write and speak English

Hiram, son, white, male, Sept 1886, 13, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born OH, at school for 7 months, could read, write and speak English

Howard, son, white, male, June 1889, 10, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born OH, at school for 7 months, could read, write and speak English

Ruth A, daughter, white, male, Jan 1892, 8, single, born IL, father born IL, mother born OH

Polly Marria, mother, white, female, Feb 1809, 91, widow; mother of 9 children, 4, living, born VT, father born NH, mother born VT, could not read or write, spoke English

Carraline, sister, white, female, Nov 1833, 66, single, born VT, father born MA, mother born VT, housekeeper, months not employed - 0, could read, write and speak English

Day, John W, head, white, male, March 1856 [sic], 41, married for 20 years, born IL, father born IL, mother born PA, farmer, months not employed - 0, could read, write and speak English, owned his farm home free of mortgage, farm schedule 83

Ella F, wife, white, female, Dec 1864, 33 [sic], married for 21 [sic] years; mother of 7 children, 5 living; born IL, [parents born - no entries], could read, write and speak English

Mabel P, daughter, white, female, Mar 1881, 19, single, born IL, both parents born IL, attended school for 5 months, could read, write and speak English

Ruby May, daughter, white, female, Feb 1886, 14, single, born IL, both parents born IL, attended school for 5 months, could read, write and speak English

James L, son, white, male, Sept 1887, 12, single, born IL, both parents born IL, attended school for 5 months, could read, write and speak English

Charley, son, white, male, May 1890, 10, single, born IL, both parents born IL, attended school for 3 months, could read, write and speak English

Lawrense Y, son, white, male, Jan 1893, 7, single, born IL, both parents born IL, attended school for 3 months, could read, write and speak English

Hobart, Lelland, head, male, white, 25, married (1st) for 3 years, born IL, father born VT, mother born IL, spoke English, teacher, public school, employee, whether out of work on April 15, 1910 - no, number of weeks out of work during 1909 - 0, could read and write, owned his home free of mortgage

Rubie, wife, female, white, 24, married (1st) for 3 years; mother of 0 children; born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, teacher, public school, employee, whether out of work on April 15, 1910 - no, number of weeks out of work during 1909 - 0, could read and write

Hobart, Leland S, head, owner, paying on a mortgage, male, white, 40, married, could read and write, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, farmer, general farm, employer, farm schedule 88

Ruby D, wife, female, white, 34, married, could read and write, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English

Duffy, Floyd, head, renter, [no entry for monthly rental], did not own a radio, lived on a farm, male, white, 26, married, age at first marriage - 18, could read and write, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, farmer, general farm, whether a veteran of the U.S. military or naval forces mobilized for any war or expedition - no, farm schedule 31

Lucile, wife, female, white, 24, married, age at first marriage - 16, could read and write, born IL, both parent born IL, spoke English

Ray, son, male, white, 6, single, attended school after Sept. 1, 1929, could read and write, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English

Lawrence, son, male, white, 5, single, born IL, both parents born IL

Lovell, Merlin, boarder, male, white, 27, single, could read and write, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, laborer, general farm, whether a veteran of the U.S. military or naval forces mobilized for any war or expedition - no

Hobart, Leland, head, owner, [no entry for home value], did not own a radio, lived on a farm, male, white, 50, married, age at first marriage - 28, could read and write, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, farmer, general farm, whether a veteran of the U.S. military or naval forces mobilized for any war or expedition - no, farm schedule 32

Ruby, wife, female, white, 44, married, age at first marriage - 22, could read and write, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English