Although Wallowa County is distinctively a stock county and there are residing here some of the leading stock men of the northeastern part of our state, it is capable gentleman whose name is at the head of this article, to state that he is among the heaviest stock owners of the county and is also doubtless one of the largest real estate owners of the county, which demonstrates his excellent capabilities to manage large concerns, besides his ability to gain property, which has been manifested is a commendable manner, and Wallowa county is indebted much to his energy and skill and sagacity, while his uprightness and integrity are quite commensurate with his capabilities.
Jay H. was born in DeKalb County, Illinois, on February 12, 1870, being the son of J. J. and Nancy (Tefft) Dobbin, natives of New York. The father was a prosperous farmer in the county mentioned, as well as in Kendall County. He resides there now, but spends much of his time in New York. The father was a prosperous farmer in the county mentioned, as well as in Kendall County. He resides there now, but spends much of his time in New York. The mother passed away on March 10, 1888, at Sandwich, Illinois. Our subject received his educational training in the schools of his native place and under the tutorage of his wise and skillful father, so that when manhood’s estate was reached, he was prepared to enter the battle of life in proper manner. At the age of nineteen he left the home scenes and turned toward the boundless west, landing in Union county, where he went to work for a stock man and continued in that capacity for one and one-half years. In 1891 he went to farming for himself, and in 1895 he came to Wallowa County and took up a ranch for himself on the Snake River. To this he has added until he now owns three thousand two hundred and twenty acres of land in Wallowa County alone. Much of this is located adjacent to Joseph. While he attends to this large amount of land, overseeing it in a commendable manner, he is principally engaged in raising sheep, handling about ten thousand stock animals all of the time. In addition to these enterprises he is engaged in raising horses, and in all of his endeavors he has gained a success that testifies stronger than words can do of his ability and practical judgment.
On January 8, 1900, in Union county, Mr. Dobbin married Miss M. Etta, a native of Union, and daughter of W. H. and Catherine (Stordles) Huffman, natives, respectively, of Quincy, Illinois, and Memphis, Missouri, mention of who is made in this volume. To this happy union there have been born one child, Jay H., the date of his advent into life being December 18, 1901. Mr. Dobbin is a member of the Masons, Joseph Lodge, No. 81 and of the A.O.U.W., Joseph Lodge, No. 54. Mr. Dobbin is a practical man and devotes his mind and his skill closely to his business and the result is that he is a leader in the county today and is also esteemed by all and worthy of the admiration that falls to his lot in generous measure.