SOURCE: Commemorative biographical record of the west shore of Green Bay, Wisconsin 
Microfilm of original published: Chicago : J.H. Beers, 1896. 718 p. : ports.
LDS Microfilm #0924759     Pages 539-540  

Captain James TOBIN, now a farmer, residing near Florence, Florence county, enjoys the distinction of being a pioneer in what is now Florence county, and one of the earliest comers to the iron and lumber regions of that portion of Wisconsin and Michigan, with which interests he has been closely identified for nearly a third of a century, and in their development he has played a conspicuous part.

He was born in February, 1842, near Montreal, Canada, a son of Michael and Bridget (Moran) Tobin, natives of Ireland, who when young emigrated to Canada, where the father was a merchant. He died there in 1861, and the mother subsequently removed to the United States, locating at Florence, Wis., where she died in 1893.  The children born to them were John, who was an early settler of Marquette, Mich., and subsequently settled at Florence, Wis., where his death occurred in 1885; Marian, who became Mrs. Pontbriand, and resides at Florence (her husband died in 1887), and James. The latter was reared in Canada, there receiving a common-school education. Before he was grown he left that country, and for a period was employed on sailing boats that plied between Boston and New Brunswick, and for two-years, during the Civil war, he was engaged in transporting troops on the James river, and through the South.  In 1863 he went to Marquette county, Mich., where he was engaged in smelting ore, and had charge of a blast furnace until 1873; also at intervals during that period he was engaged in locating mineral and timber lands.

In April, 1869, at Marquette, Mich., Mr. Tobin was married to Miss Gertrude LeClaire, who was born in Canada, and a daughter of Michael and Zoe (Proulx) LeClaire, also natives of Canada, and who became pioneers of Marquette, Mich., and subsequently residents of Florence.  He died there in 1889, and his wife, who survives, is still a resident of Florence.  Our subject and wife have an adopted daughter, Belie Tobin.  Mr. Tobin, from the year 1873 until 1877, was engaged principally in locating mining and timber lands.  In April of the last named year he came to what is now Florence county, which lands were then in in their primitive state, with little or no evidences of civilization, he having come to take charge of the explorations of the Commonwealth mining property.  The mine had been located, and a few tests only had been made.  No wagon road had been cut, and the surroundings were most primitive.  Mr. Tobin opened up the mine and became its superintendent, which position he held until 1881. Subsequently he was occupied again in explorations in the mining and timber districts of Michigan and Wisconsin, locating mineral and timber lands, and later was interested in the Merrick Lumber Company.

He is now engaged in dealing in real estate, and has interests in iron mineral lands throughout Michigan and Wisconsin.  The Captain is now located on a beautiful and well-improved farm, which he himself made out of the wilderness, and is enjoying the fruits of his earlier labors.  He has under cultivation 160 acres and 240 in timber; is engaged in general farming, and raises small fruits- grapes, apples, etc.  His is probably the oldest family in Florence county.  He made the wagon-road to Twin Falls on the Menominee range, and there was then built the road from Quinnesec, which gave an outlet--the first wagon-road in Florence county.  He has been identified with the growth of Florence county since its organization.  In politics he is a Republican.  He is a member of Negaunee Lodge, of Negaunee, Mich., of Marquette Chapter, R. A. M., and of the K. of P., at Negaunee; also a member of Florence Lodge, A. O. U. W.   Mrs. Tobin is a member of the Catholic Church.