Our Yesterdays

From the Fairfield Ledger, dated October, 1982

Gobble’s original store was in Abingdon – that’s where it all began!

The time was October 9, 1844. The place was the western edge of Jefferson County on America’s frontier. T.W. Gobble climbed down over the front wheel of his covered wagon, ready to start a new life in a new land.

That was the start of the village of Abingdon, named for Abingdon, VA, Great-Grandpappy Gobble’s home town. It was a long trek over Cumberland Gap, up the Wilderness Trail through Kentucky, across Indiana and Illinois to Keokuk and on up the Des Moines River valley.

Now there were new roots to be put down and a new farm to be homesteaded. The deed was signed by John Tyler, tenth president of the United States. The nearest town was Fairfield, 12 miles southeast and an hour’s horseback ride away. Fairfield was less than five years old and Iowa was part of the Wisconsin territory, still two years away from statehood.

In those days, pioneers had to be more than just farmers. Grandpappy was a carpenter, mechanic, and a cabinet-maker of sorts. In 1853 he started a new family tradition when he opened a general store, including clothing and shoes. He saw Abingdon grow and he made it to the grand age of 99.

The next generation of the family – L.T. Gobble and his wife, Mary Margaret Gobble – continued to mind the Abingdon Store until 1896. Then it was decided that as soon as sons Bruce and Carl finished country school the family would move to the county seat. After all, Fairfield had a high school, a Carnegie Library, Parsons College and many employment opportunities.

Besides, Grandma Gobble (her admiring grandchildren called her “Bom”) wanted her family to attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, where she taught Sunday School for 40 years.

In 1899, L.T. Gobble became a partner in the store of Gobble and Heer on the north side of the square, where the Coast to Coast Store now holds forth. In 1918, son Bruce purchased his father’s interest in the store and in 1937 Lee Gobble II made it generation number four by joining the business. The store moved to its present location on the west side of the square in 1935 and since 1946 It has been known far and wide as Gobble Clothiers.

Regretfully, we’re running out of Gobble merchants. Mary Ann, as generation number 5, once gave it some serious thought, all on her own, with no urging from her father. But it didn’t pan out.

Meanwhile, the store hums along, thanks mainly to a dedicated bunch of gal helpers, headed by Betty Roach and Joan Sirdoreus, members of the management team.

It goes without saying we’re proud of our roots. We’re also pround to serve this lively community and we appreciate the support given four generations of the family for 138 (g-g-g) years today!

T.W. Gobble (founder)

L.T. Gobble I

R. Bruce Gobble

Lee T. Gobble II