Andrew J. Bobbs, M. D., is one of the prominent citizens of Marion, Indiana, and was one of the most successful practitioners in the medical profession at the time he was actively engaged in the work. He is a native of Woodville, Clermont county, Ohio, and was born February 1, 1833. His father, Adam Bobbs, was born on a farm in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood and married Miss Elizabeth McConnel, who was of Irish parentage, but a native of Ohio. The paternal grandfather was a Frenchman, but came to America from Strasburg, Germany.

        Adam Bobbs, on settling in Woodville, engaged in the mercantile and pork-packing business, which he there followed for about twenty years, and then located in Hamilton county, where he continued in the mercantile business eight or ten years longer. Wishing to retire from the bustle and turmoil of commercial life, he purchased a small farm near Phillipsburg, Montgomery county, where he remained until death claimed him in his seventy-third year. He was a Democrat in politics, but did not obtrude his views on others. He was an honored member of the United Brethren church, as was his wife, who also died at the age of seventy-three years. Four children were born to them, namely: Caroline, who married Dr. Tedroe, of Newton, Miami county, and died at the age of sixty years; Elizabeth, who reached the age of fifty-six years, was the wife of John Henderson; Dr. Andrew J.; and Dr. Adam, who graduated from the Ohio Medical College of Cincinnati, and is a practicing physician of Paulding, Ohio.

        Dr. Andrew J. Bobbs had a busy life during his boyhood, as the time not spent in the public and high schools was spent in his father's store, where he assisted in waiting on the trade. This life being uncongenial to his taste, and having a fancy for the work of a physician, he entered the Ohio Medical College at the age of eighteen, graduating therefrom in March, 1854, about the time he reaced his majority. Being now a full-fledged doctor, he opened an office in Edenton, Clermont county, Ohio, where he remained two years, when he removed to Montgomery county, that state, where he practiced until 1867, making his home in Phillipsburg. He had an extended and lucrative practice and accumulated considerable property, as a result of steady application and close attention to business. In September, 1867, he located in Marion, where he found a broader field of labor and where his skill and efficiency met with ready appreciation. He has been a very busy man in the practice of his profession, and for twenty-one years, until 1888, devoted his entire time to the work in Marion and surrounding country.

        Dr. Bobbs is a member of the Masonic lodge. He has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Mary Cook, of Montgomery county, Ohio, and a consistent member of the Congregational church. At her death she left two children: Zanora, wife of Dr. Shively, whose memoir will be found elsewhere in this volume; and Emma, wife of John J. Strange, a rising young attorney of this place. November 11, 1891, Dr. Bobbs married Mrs. Josephine (Butler) Ruess, a most estimable lady whose many pleasing attributes have combined to make her decidely popular.

        Curtis Hunt Butler, the father of Mrs. Bobbs, will be remembered by the older residents of Marion as the proprietor of the hotel in that place during the middle part of the nineteenth century, and also as a dealer in real estate. He was born December 7, 1800, in Milledgeville, Georgia, where he was reared to manhood and received his education. On July 12, 1827, he was united in marriage with Miss Maria Ann Miller, who was born in Millersburg, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1811. Mr. Butler was closely identified with the growth and progress of Grant county during his twelve years residence here, and was an upright, honorable gentleman. He was a zealous worker in the Presbyterian church, as was his wife, and his death, which occurred September 28, 1852, was a severe blow to that organization and a loss to the entire community. His wife survived him many years, dying December 1, 1885, at the age of seventy-three years. The fathers of both were soldiers in the war of 1812. Twelve children were born to them, namely: James M., who was born March 12, 1829, and came to Indiana with his parents when a lad. When a young man he went to North Carolina, where he remained until the breaking out of the Rebellion. He then returned to Marion and raised a company, of which he was made captain, and assigned to the Thirty-fourth Indiana regiment. His demise took place in 1881; Rebecca Ann, the second in order of birth, died in infancy; Eliza J. is the wife of Howell D. Thompson, an attorney at law of Anderson, this state; Susanna E., widow of Thomas Helm, resides in Indianapolis; Minerva, widow of Jonathan Lamme, a member of the Thirty-fourth Indiana regiment, who died in the war; William R., also a member of the Thirty-fourth Indiana regiment; Perry, who entered the Twenty-ninth Indiana regiment as first lieutenant, and and promoted to the rank of major; he was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga and taken prisoner, being incarcerated in Libby prison for eighteen long months, and died three years later; his death was the result of the wounds he had received and the exposure to which he was subjected while held prisoner. He died at Natchez, Mississippi; Josephine is the wife of the subject of this sketch; Samuel was sergeant of the Thirty-fourth Indiana regiment under his brother's command, and received his death blow from the rebel guns at the siege of Vicksburg; Warren O. was also a member of the Thirty-fourth Indiana regiment, enlisting when about sixteen years of age; he is at present chief of the fire department of Marion; Andrew conducts a livery barn in Marion; and Deloras M., who married Otto B. Spicer, resided in Chicago.

        Josephine Butler was born November 22, 1841, and reared in Grant county. September 22, 1864, she was married at Anderson, this state, to Captin (sic) John Ruess. He was born September 12, 1832, in Stuttgart, province of Wurtemberg, Germany. His parents, George and Barbara Ruess, came to America during his infancy and settled near Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, where he received his education and was brought up on a farm. When he was but a young man he came to Marion and opened a grocery, confectionery and bakery, which he conducted on a profitable basis until the breaking out of the Civil war, when he entered Company H, Eighth Indiana regiment, as first lieutenant and served three months. This was in April, 1861, Compnay H being the first company to enlist from Marion. At the expiration of his term he re-enlisted in the same company, was chosen captain, and served during the remainder of the war, taking part in many important engagements, among which may be mentioned: Rich Mountain, Black Water, Sugar Creek, Pea Ridge, Cotton Flats, Champion Hill, Jackson, Big Black River, Vicksburg, Mustang Island, Fort Espranza, Austin, Carrion Crow, Berryville, Halltown, Winchester, Fisher's Hill, New Market, Cedar Creek and others. After the close of the war he returned to Marion and prosecuted his business until about two years before his death, when he retired from active work. He died August 1, 1883. He had always been a stanch Republican, and was a charter member of General Shunk Post, No. 23, G. A. R.