Peter Gobert farmer, and stock-raiser, S. 19; P. O. Oakland; one of the pioneers of Coles Co.; born in France Oct. 17, 1821, where he attended school until 11 years of age, when he emigrated with his parents to America, landing in New York the spring of 1832; going to Buffalo, he assisted his father upon a farm until 16 years of age, when he emigrated West in the spring, coming by way of the lakes to Chicago, arriving there June 11, 1837; coming directly to Coles Co., they located in what is now known as East Oakland Tp., before the organization of the same; here he engaged with his father farming until 1860, when his father retired from active labor, and Mr. Gobert assumed the management of the farm; he owns his brick residence, with good stables and other buildings, and upward of 400 acres of land, all under cultivation except twenty-five acres of timber. He married, June 8, 1843, Melinda R. Ashmore; she was born in Kentucky March 22, 1824; she died Feb. 21, 1861, leaving five children now living, viz., Samuel, Charles, Louis, La Fayette, Virginia. His marriage with Matilda A. Roberts was celebrated Oct. 17, 1861; she was born in Ohio, June 26, 1835; they have four children now living by this union, viz., Alice, Thomas, Napoleon, Frank. Mr. Gobert drove an ox team from here to Chicago in 1842, taking up apples and bring back groceries. In 1844, he drove his team to St. Louis, Mo., loaded with chickens and turkeys-the chickens selling at 75 cents and the turkeys at $3 per dozen.
