This well known citizen of Reynolds, Owyhee county, is one of the largest sheep-raisers in Idaho and has been largely instrumental in improving the grade of stock raised in the state. His efforts have therefore been of public benefit, for the improvement of stock adds to its market value, and the wealth of the agricultural class is thereby augmented. The rich pasture lands of the northwest provide excellent opportunities to the stock-raiser, and this industry has become a most important one in the commercial interests of Idaho.
Mr. Noble, one of its leading representatives, is of English birth, a native of Cumberland County, England, born October 19, 1844. His father, John Noble, was born in the same county, and wedded Miss Mary Mossop. In 1854 they came to Canada with their family of eight children, crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel which, after a voyage of eight weeks, reached the harbor of Quebec. At Kingston, Canada, the wife and mother died, being then forty-four years of age. In 1857 the family came to the United States and settled in New York State. All of the children are yet living, and three of the number are residents of Idaho. The father died in Owyhee County, in March 1899, his birth having occurred August 13, 1800. He resided in Tonawanda, New York, for twenty years, and afterward resided successively in Illinois, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, while since May, 1895, he made his home with his son Robert in Reynolds until the time of his death. He was the father of thirteen children, the grandfather of thirty-nine and the great-grandfather of sixteen. Robert Noble attended school for a short time in Canada and continued his education in the state of New York. Upon the breaking out of the great civil war he volunteered in the Union army, and served in the quartermaster’s department in Missouri and Tennessee until honorably discharged at Springfield, Tennessee, in April, 1865. He then engaged in farming in Illinois until 1870, when he came to Idaho, making the journey westward by way of California. He has resided upon his sheep ranch at Reynolds since 1874, and has valuable ranches aggregating in area twenty-two hundred acres. In the year 1898 he had seventy thousand sheep and two seasons” clip of wool on hand, and is regarded as one of the most successful as well as one of the most extensive sheep-raisers of the state. He is also engaged in raising horses, of which he has quite a band, and is also the owner of a valuable English shire horse which weighs eighteen hundred pounds, and is one of the finest horses to be found in Idaho.
In 1877 Mr. Noble was united in marriage to Miss Anna Peters, a native of Missouri, and of German descent. They have seven children, all born in Reynolds, namely: Nellie, Robert, Frank C, Ernest, May, James Blaine and Rosella. The older children are attending school in San Rafael, California, and Boise. Mr. Noble and his family are Episcopalians, and he is a Knight Templar Mason. He also belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and in politics is a Republican. In all his business dealings he is straightforward and commands the confidence and good will of those with whom he is brought in contact. His prosperity is therefore well deserved, as it comes in return for effort, both honorable and consecutive.