John P. S. Gobin
Encyclopedia
John Peter Shindel Gobin (January 21, 1837 – May 1, 1910) was an officer in the Union Army
during the Civil War
, and the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
from 1899 to 1903.
, the oldest of four children of Samuel and Susanna Gobin Nee Shindel, who were of Swiss descent. At an early age, Gobin became an apprentice printer. He read law and, was admitted to the bar of Northumberland County
in 1861.
At the age of 24, Gobin enlisted in the army and was commissioned a first lieutenant in Company C of the 47th Pennsylvania. He rose through the ranks to become the regiment
's colonel
. On March 13, 1865, major general
Philip H. Sheridan rewarded Gobin for his performance at the Battle of Pocotaligo in South Carolina
by giving him the brevet rank
of brigadier general
. Gobin mustered out of the service on January 9, 1866, and returned to Pennsylvania.
Gobin was a member of Pennsylvania State Senate
from 1885 to 1899. He was a Member of the Freemasons, Knights Templar, and Odd Fellows
. He served as Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar in North America from 1889 to 1892.
He was interred at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Lebanon, Pennsylvania
.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
during the Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, and the Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania
The Lieutenant Governor is a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Lieutenant Governor is elected every four years along with the Governor. Jim Cawley of Bucks County is the incumbent Lieutenant Governor...
from 1899 to 1903.
Biography
Gobin was born in Sunbury, PennsylvaniaSunbury, Pennsylvania
Sunbury is a city in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The city is located on the east bank of the Susquehanna River, just downstream of the confluence of its main and West branches. The population was 9,905 at the 2010 census...
, the oldest of four children of Samuel and Susanna Gobin Nee Shindel, who were of Swiss descent. At an early age, Gobin became an apprentice printer. He read law and, was admitted to the bar of Northumberland County
Northumberland County, Pennsylvania
There were 38,835 households out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.50% had...
in 1861.
At the age of 24, Gobin enlisted in the army and was commissioned a first lieutenant in Company C of the 47th Pennsylvania. He rose through the ranks to become the regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
's colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
. On March 13, 1865, major general
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
Philip H. Sheridan rewarded Gobin for his performance at the Battle of Pocotaligo in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
by giving him the brevet rank
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
of brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
. Gobin mustered out of the service on January 9, 1866, and returned to Pennsylvania.
Gobin was a member of Pennsylvania State Senate
Pennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
from 1885 to 1899. He was a Member of the Freemasons, Knights Templar, and Odd Fellows
Odd Fellows
Odd Fellows is a name broadly referring to any of a large number of friendly societies, fraternal and service organizations and/or Lodges.-Societies using the name "Odd Fellows" or variations:...
. He served as Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar in North America from 1889 to 1892.
He was interred at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Lebanon, formerly known as Steitztown, is a city in and the county seat of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 25,477 at the 2010 census, a 4.2% increase from the 2000 count of 24,461...
.
See also
- List of American Civil War generals