Rev. C.H. Dobbs

Transcription dated 2 August 2007 by MaryFrances Flournoy for the Wharton County Museum, Wharton, Texas

Obituary of Reverend Charles Holt Dobbs, Jr. who served the First Presbyterian Church of El Campo as pastor from 1919 until his death in 1932

_______________________________________ From The El Campo Citizen, El Campo, Texas

Friday Morning, 8 July 1932

Rev. C. H. Dobbs Is Victim Of A Heart Attack Monday

Succumbs on Golf Course, Where He Was Playing In Invitation Tournament on July Fourth.

Rev. Chas. Holt Dobbs, Jr., Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of El Campo, died suddenly on the local golf course Monday morning, where he was playing in the invitation golf tournament which brought many golfers here from other cities of this section of the State. Rev. Dobbs was a member of the local club and was a familiar figure on the course during the week days, as he liked the game well.

The tournament had been in progress only a short while, when news spread that Rev. Dobbs had collapsed, without a word to anyone near him.

The news, of course, came as a distinct shock to all who knew the gentleman, as he had never suffered with his heart before as far as anyone here knew.

Charles Holt Dobbs Jr. was born at Koslusko, Mississippi, April 1, 1868. He moved, with his parents, the Rev. and Mrs. Chas. Holt Dobbs Sr. to Texas and he received the major part of his education in this State, being first a student of Baylor University of Waco. He graduated from Round Rock Institute, a Presbyterian College of which his father was president. He later spent one year in the University of Texas, but took his B.A. Degree from Central University of Kentucky. He then graduated from Union Seminary, then of Hampden Sydney, Va., which is now Richmond Theological Seminary, in 1892.

In 1897 he married Miss Hattie See McNulty of McDowell, Virginia.

Rev. Dobb's first pastorate was in McDowell, Va. from 1892 to 1896. He then went to Carthage, North Carolina where he was pastor from February of 1896 to May 1901. From May 1901 to 1907 he was at Senatobia, Miss. From Miss. he came to Texas and was pastor at Gonazles from 1907 to 1919. He came to El Campo in 1919 and has been pastor, and a faithful leader of the Presbyterian Church up until the time of his death on July 4th.

He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Mrs. Hattie McNulty Dobbs; two sons, Chas. Holt III of Fort Worth, and Edward McNulty Dobbs of Glen Jean, West Virginia; Chas. Holt IV, Burt and Mary Katherine Dobbs; four sisters, Mrs. J. P. Robertson of Memphis, Tenn., Mrs. E. R. Sims of Austin, Texas and Misses Elizabeth and Anna Dobbs of Brownwood, Texas. In addition his family, his unnumbered friends of El Campo, and many other places over Texas and other states share in the bereavement felt by his loved ones.

Rev. Dobbs was well known of the businessmen of El Campo and his presence at all gatherings of importance was to show that he was interested in his city's welfare.

At the time of his death he was, and had been for some time Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of Brazos, and he always took one the leading parts in the activities of his church at any time and place he could make himself useful for his Master.

Funeral services were held from the Presbyterian Church here on Thursday morning at 10 o'clock. Rev. Franklin Henderson of Houston officiating, assisted by Rev. Wm. Dickey of Edna. The remains lay in state at the church from 8:00 until 10:00 a.m.

Internment was made at the O.D.H.S. Cemetery by the El Campo Lodge No 918, A.F.&A.M. with L. O. Lundy acting W.M.

The Wheeler Undertaking Co. had charge of the funeral arrangements.

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