Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 1).djvu/710

668 Rules and Tables " (1835) ; a new series of spell- ing-books (1843) : and " New Pronouncing School Dictionary" (1843).

COBB, Nathaniel Ripley, b. in Falmouth, Me., 3 Nov., 1798 ; d. in Boston, 24 May, 1834. He was a member of the Charles street Baptist church in Boston, Mass., and when but twenty-three years of age he drew up and signed the following re- markable document : " By the grace of God, I will never be worth more than $50,000. By the grace of God, I will give one fourth of the net profits of my business to charitable and religious uses. If I am ever worth $20,000, I will give one half of my net profits ; and if I am worth $30,000, I will give three fourths, and the whole after $50,000. " So help me God, or give to a more faithful steward, and set me aside." These resolutions he kept to the letter. As one result, he gave to Newton theo- logical seminary at different times about $15,000.

COBB, Stephen Alonzo, b. in Madison, Me., 17 June, 1833 ; d. in August, 1878. He went with his father to Minnesota in 1850, where he engaged in the lumber business, meanwhile preparing for college. After two years in Beloit college he went to Brown, where he graduated in 1858, and in 1859 removed to Wyandotte, Kansas, and began the practice of law. In 18G2 he was a state sena- tor, but entered the army, served through the war, and rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In 1809 he again became a member of the state sen- ate. In 1871 he was elected to the house, in 1872 was speaker of that body, and mayor of Wyan- dotte in 1862 and 1868. He was elected to con- gress in 1872, and served on the committees on post-roads and the state department. He was re- nominated in 1874, but was defeated,

COBB, Sylvanus, clergyman, b. in Norway, Me., in July, "1799 ; d. in East Boston, 31 Oct., 1866. In 1828 he was settled over Universalist churches at ]\Ialden and Waltham, Mass., and in 1838 took charge of the *' Christian Freeman," which he edit- ed for more than twenty years. He was for many years a leader in the anti-slavery and temperance movements. Dr. Cobb's published works include " The New Testament, with Explanatory Notes " (Boston, 1864) ; " Compend of Divinity " and " Dis- cussions." — His son, Sylvanus, author, b. in Waterville, Me., in 1823; d. in Hyde Park, Mass., 20 July, 1887, was editor and publisher of a pa- per called " The Rechabite," edited the " New England Washingtonian," and was a principal contributor to " Gleason's Pictorial," " Flag of Our Union," and the New York "Ledger." He published " The Autobiography of Rev. Sylvanus Cobb," with a memoir (Boston, 1867), and numer- ous tales, including " The King's Talisman " (Hart- ford, 1851); "The Patriot Cruiser" (New York, 1859) ; and " Ben Hamed " (Boston, 1864).— Another son, Cyrus, artist, b. in Maiden, Mass., 6 Aug., 1834, was graduated at Lyman school. East Boston, in 1848, and afterward studied the higher mathe- matics and classics. He and his twin brother Da- rius studied art together, and refused opportuni- ties for European study, wishing to have no master but nature. While perfecting themselves in art the brothers retired together at midnight and rose before sunrise, and they have since been closely identified in their work. At this time they prac- tised mental mathematical calculation, as an exer- cise to prepare the mind for future work, and at- tained great proficiency, for example, in multiplying large numbers mentally. Cyrus began the study of law in 1869, to enable himself and his brother to bring out their large historical works. He was graduated at the Boston university law-school in 1873, and practised till 1879, when he resumed his art work. Among his sculptures are a bust of B. P, Shillaber (1867), the Cambridge Soldiers' Monu- ment (1869), an heroic bas-relief of Prospero and Miranda (1883), heroic statue of Abbott Lawrence (1885 -'6), " Ancient Celtic Bard contemplating the Future Woes and Dawning Light of Ireland " (1886), and a bust of Theodore Parker (1880). His paint- ings include " Jesus Condemned," containing about thirty figures, those in the foreground of colossal size (1879); "Warren at the Old Scath" (1880); and portraits of Dr. A. P. Peabody and Dr. J. Ap- pleton. Mr. Cobb has paid much attention to music, is a member of the Boylston club, and has a tenor voice of great compass. Both the brothers have led orchestras, and in later years have directed choruses. Mr. Cobb has written, besides other poems, thirty sonnets on the " Masters of Art," which appeared in the Boston " Transcript," and are to be published in book-form. Both the broth- ers served in the civil war in the 44th Massachu- setts regiment. To set forth the aim and purpose of the Grand Army of the Republic, Cyrus has written a novel, " Veteran of the Grand Army " (Boston, 1870). — Cyrus's twin brother, Darins, b. in Maiden, Mass., 6 Aug., 1834, studied with his brother at the same schools, and has painted por- traits, landscapes, and figure-pieces. The latter include " Judas in the Potter's Field " and " King Lear" (1877); "Christ before Pilate," his chief work, which has been highly praised, and which has been engraved (1878) ; " For Their Sakes," a temperance painting (1879); and "Washington on Dorchester Heights " (1880). In conjunction with Cyrus he has painted a rendering of Leonardo da Vinci's " Last Supper," which has been pronounced the best ever made. These are all large exhibition pictures, varying from six to nine feet in length. His portraits include that of Collector Simmons, in the Boston custom-house (1875), and one of Rufus Choate, purchased by the SulJolk bar in 1877. Those of Gov. Andrew (1868) and Prof. Agassiz (1883) are owned by Harvard. Among other por- traits by his hand is one of Charles Sumner, a two-thirds length of Henry Wilson, bought in 1876 by his native town, and those of Cyrus and Sylva- nus Cobb, Jr., sent to the Centennial exhibition. Among his landscapes is " Back Bay Lands." Mr. Cobb has assisted his brother Cyrus in his musical work, has lectured on art before lyceums and col- leges, and was art editor of the Boston " Traveller " for several years. Pie has written poems on art and nature, and numerous essays in periodicals, not yet published in book-form, and also has an art novel in manuscript.

COBB, Thomas W., senator, b. in Columbia county, Ga., in 1784; d. in Greensborough, Ga., 1 Feb., 1830. His father, John Cobb, emigrated from Virginia. Thomas studied law with William H. Crawford, settled in Lexington, Ga., and soon became distinguished in his profession. He served two terms in congress, from 1817 till 1821, took his seat again in 1823, and before the expiration of his term, in 1824, was chosen U. S. senator in place of Nicholas Ware, deceased. He resigned in 1828, and became a judge of the superior court of his state. Senator Cobb was an eloquent debater, one of his best speeches being on Gen. Jackson's policy in the Florida campaign. Together with Mercer, of Vir- ginia, and Clay, of Kentucky, he advocated a vote of censure on that officer. He was also prominent in the debates on the Missouri question in 1819. He wrote several admirable political essays. — His son, Joseph Beckham, author, b. in Oglethorpe county, Ga., 11 April, 1819 ; d. in Columbus, Ga., 15