Early Settlers: Maintaining The Family Farm

Theresa Holley explains the grave of her great-grandparents, John and Alma Jobman, to her grandson Mason Howard. Theresa now lives in the home that John’s father built 120 years ago, and Mason is the sixth generation to live on the farm. (Leader photo by Ellen Mortensen)
Theresa Holley explains the grave of her great-grandparents, John and Alma Jobman, to her grandson Mason Howard. Theresa now lives in the home that John’s father built 120 years ago, and Mason is the sixth generation to live on the farm. (Leader photo by Ellen Mortensen)

Part 4 of a Series

Editor’s Note: As we continue our series exploring some of our community's oldest surrounding cemeteries, this week we land back at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery. The graves of some of Gothenburg's earliest settlers can be found here, including generations of a family tree that includes many of our current residents.

On Aug. 27, 1908, John and Alma Jobman were married at the home that John built himself in 1906, located north of Gothenburg. The family legacy of the land began with John’s parents, Henry and Trinkey Jobman. Today, Henry and Trinkey’s great-great-granddaughter lives on the farm that has remained in the family for more than 120 years.

Henry Jobman, Sr. was born April 23, 1859, in Golden, Illinois. He was married to Trinkey Spellman, who was born on …