The Bobbitt Family In America
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[16]"James Bobbitt having received a majority of all votes cast, was declared elected for a term of two years. (1885-1887)
"Under Mr. Bobbitt's term of office much improvement was made. The schools at Alton and English were graded. A little high school was done. Alton had two teachers, English three teachers and Leavenworth had four teachers. The new brick schoolhouse in Leavenworth was considered then to be one of the best in southern Indiana.
"Many schools were furnished with new seats in which two persons could sit. The long settee or wooden bench was removed. Uniform books for the county were much desired. McGuffey's spellers and readers were then used. Yet the teachers were poorly trained. Once in a while one more daring than the rest went to the State Normal or to Bloomington.
"Elder James Bobbitt, who was one of Crawford County's noble sons, died at his home in English on Wednesday, December 1, 1915. He had been planning a series of meetings at the Christian Church, of which he was a member. After eating a hearty dinner on Monday he went out to do some work when he sank down suddenly in the yard. Friends were called but he never regained consciousness. Lingering in that state he died about 9:28 PM on Wednesday. His funeral was conducted by Elder Samson Cox and the remains were laid to rest at Eckerty. His son, Doctor Franklin Bobbitt, drove through from Chicago in his car which was one of the first ones to visit English sometime the previous summer.
"Mr. Bobbitt had been much honored by the people of Crawford County. In 1885 he was elected county superintendent of schools. Later, in 1888, he was elected county auditor. The people had so much confidence in him that they voted for him even if he was a Republican living in a Democratic county."
The monuments at the cemetery in Eckerty are inscribed.
Elizabeth Bobbitt 1863 - 1920
Irvin Bobbitt 1850 - 1923
Ida M. Bobbitt 1870 - 1956
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