BIO: Robert B. BOOB, Centre County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including 
the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing 
Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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  R. B. BOOB, a leading blacksmith of Aaronsburg, was born December 13, 
1845, in Hartley township, Union Co., Penn., and is a son of Adam and 
Susannah (Adams) Boob, the former born in the same county July 14, 
1815, and the latter in Dauphin county, this State, April 26, 1821.  
The paternal grandfather was Michael Boob, while the mother's father 
was Samuel Adams.
  Adam Boob was reared amid humble surroundings in the county of his 
nativity, as his parents were in limited circumstances, and after his 
marriage located upon a small tract of land near Laurelton, Union 
county, where he worked at the mason's trade and later engaged in 
farming.  He is now the owner of a small farm in that county, where he 
still makes his home, and is well preserved for one of his years.  His 
political support is ever given men and measures of the Democratic 
party, and in religion he is a German Baptist.  His faithful wife was 
called to her final rest in the spring of 1895.
  In their family were the following children: Hannah, born August 24, 
1838, is the wife of John Pick, of Union county; Levi, born April 3, 
1840, lost his arm in the Union service while a member of Company A, 
148th P. V. I., and died in Union county from accidental shooting while 
bear hunting; William, born February 13, 1842, was also a member of 
Company A, 148th P. V. I., was wounded and died in a Rebel prison; 
Nathaniel, born October 24, 1843, was a member of the same company, and 
is now a resident of Union county; R. B., of this sketch; is next in 
order of birth; Ellen, born July 16, 1847, is the wife of Joseph 
Hartley, of Union county; Sarah, born December 17, 1851, married 
William Beck, and died in Shingletown, Penn.; Frank, born November 21, 
1854, is a farmer of Union county; Amanda, born November 13, 1857, is 
the wife of Joseph Smith, of Juniata county, Penn.; and Maria, born 
July 6, 1861, is the wife of John Frederick, of Union county.
  The educational privileges of our subject were rather limited, and 
the schools which he attended were much inferior to those of the 
present day.  Until eighteen years of age he remained upon the home 
farm, assisting in its development and cultivation, and then began 
learning the blacksmith's trade at Mifflinburg, Penn., in the shop of 
Miller, Diehl & Co., his compen-

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.  315

sation to be $60 for two years. but for the eighteen months he was with 
them only received $30.  The following eight months he worked for Isaac 
Sellers, of the same place, and then formed a partnership with Perry 
Catherman, but after conducting a shop in Mifflinburg for a few months 
the connection was discontinued, our subject being alone for a short 
time.  Coming to Centre county, he opened a smithy in the country near 
Hartleton, but a year later located in Aaronsburg, buying out the 
business of John C. Stover in March, 1871.  He has greatly enlarged his 
shop, adding coachmaking to the regular blacksmith business, and has 
built up a fine trade, which his skillful work justly merits.
  In Mifflinburg, September 19, 1867, Mr. Boob was married to Miss 
Sarah Sheary, who was born in East Buffalo township, Union county, 
September 5, 1844, a daughter of George E. and Leah (Young) Sheary.  
Three children have come to bless their union: William W., born June 
15, 1868, is a carriage hardware jobber of Centre Hall, Penn., and a 
wide-awake, energetic young business man; Lewis E., born December 24, 
1874, is also a promising young man, possessing excellent musical 
talent; George C., born October 25, 1881, completes the family.
  At the time of his marriage, Mr. Boob had not a dollar with which to 
begin housekeeping, and went in debt for his home, which cost $2,300; 
but being an honest, hard-working man, he soon paid off the 
indebtedness and has secured a comfortable competence, all through his 
own unaided exertions.  Originally he was a Democrat in politics, but 
since 1892 has supported the Prohibition party, as it embodies his 
views on the temperance question.  He is now serving his second term as 
water works trustee, and is a valued and efficient member of the school 
board.  Since 1863 his wife has been a consistent member of the 
Lutheran Church, while he is a Methodist in religious belief.  They 
have made many friends since coming to Aaronsburg, and by all who know 
them are held in the highest regard.

1880 Aaronsburg, Centre County census -
Robert Boob, 31  
Sarah Boob, 33  
William W. Boob, 11  
Lewis E. Boob, 5