Biographical sketch extracted from:

Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1887. pp. 948-951.

JOSEPH W. COBBURN, farmer and stock-raiser, Harrison Township, was born in Hocking County, Ohio, November 6, 1829, the second son of James L. and Sarah (Webb) Cobburn. His father was born in Maryland, July 25, 1775, of Irish ancestry. He was first married to Miss Nancy Scap, and after his marriage he settled in Pennsylvania, thence to Virginia, and from there he went to Hocking County, Ohio, being among the pioneers of that county. His wife died in Logan County, Ohio, leaving one daughter, named Nancy Ellen. He was subsequently married to Miss Sarah Webb, who came from Virginia to Hocking County, Ohio, among the first settlers. She was a native of Virginia, and of Irish descent. Seven children were born to this union, of whom six grew to maturity, five still living—William, Joseph W., Henry G., James L. and Martha E., wife of Amos Warner. Those deceased are—— Amos W. and Rufus, the latter dying in infancy. Mr. Cobburn followed tailoring during the winters, and farming in the summer months in Ohio until 1836. In February of that year he started with his family for Wells County, Indiana, and the following March arrived at their destination, and the roads in those days being almost impassable, the journey was long and tedious. The father entered 160 acres of land on section 22, Harrison Township, which he began to clear and improve, and here he passed through all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life, having no roads, only Indian trails, going many miles to mill, etc. He worked at his trade in the winter seasons, and for his pay he was assisted in the clearing of his farm. He lived to improve his farm, and bring it under fine cultivation, and died February 14, 1861. His widow survived him ten years, dying at the age of seventy-seven years. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, He was a soldier in the war of 1812, serving under General Harrison. In early life he served as sheriff of the county in which he lived in Virginia, and while living in Hocking County, Ohio, he was Captain of the militia. In politics he was formerly an old line Whig, but in later life affiliated with the Republican party. Joseph W. Cobburn, whose name heads this sketch, was seven years old when brought by his parents to Wells County, and here he was reared on a frontier, receiving such education as could be obtained in the early subscription schools of Harrison Township. He lived with his parents until his marriage, November 10, 1853, to Miss Lou Ann Burgess, a native of Hocking County, Ohio, coming to Wells County in 1837, with her parents, John and Sarah Burgess. After his marriage he settled on his father-in-law's farm, where he resided three years, then purchased forty acres of his father's homestead, of which only six acres had been cleared. He cleared the remainder of his land, which he improved and put under good cultivation, residing on it about five years. Mrs. Cobburn died August 12, 1861, leaving a daughter, Tabitha, fourteen days old. She was the mother of four children the first three dying in infancy. November 19, 1863, Mr. Cobburn was married to Miss Mary A. Gavin, a daughter of George and Mary Gavin. She was a native of Ireland, coming to America when six years of age, and after living in Ross County, Ohio, two years she came to Wells County, Indiana. She died in 1870, and Mr. Cobburn was again married January 13, 1877, to Miss Sarah Chalfant, a native of Wells County, and a daughter of Charles and Nancy Chalfant. To this union three children have been born—Leona, died aged one year; Mary E. and George T. In 1861 Mr. Cobburn moved to the county infirmary, taking charge of the place for four years, and in 1865 he moved to his present farm, section 26, Harrison Township, where he has 120 acres of well improved and highly cultivated land. In politics he affiliates with the Democratic party.