Edward Hobbick turns 100 years old

By Kelsie Hoitomt

DOWNING – Edward Hobbick is like a rare gem in this part of the world as he will be reaching a milestone of turning 100 years old on Tuesday, March 25.

Ed currently resides at Triple Springs Country Home on the outskirts of Downing, where he has lived for nearly seven years.

Ed has lived in the area for years now, but the story of his life began in Joliet, Illinois where he was born and lived until his family moved to Erin Prairie, Wisconsin when he was around one year old.

Ed is the second oldest son born to Clement and Grace Hobbick. He has three sisters and five brothers; the second youngest son, Harold, lives in Montana and he is Ed’s only living sibling.

Clement Hobbick was a farmer for several years while the children were small and then he became a truck driver.

His job choice led to a life of constant moving for the Hobbick Family as they called Emerald, Cylon, Woodville, Roberts and eventually Menomonie home.

Being a farming family meant that many of Ed’s memories revolve around horses as they were used to manage nearly everything.

One of his earlier recollections is when he was nine years old and he drove his first team of four work horses as he ran a smooth drag.

Ed laughed as most of his stories about the horses ended up with something breaking, whether it was a bridle, a trace chain, a strap or a piece of the wood wagon.

“When we lived in Roberts, I used to stay out of school and drive horses on the smooth drag with four horses usually the pregnant mares so they didn’t go very fast. There was a two wheeled cart fastened behind the drag for me to ride,” shared Edward.

Ed had one special pony in his life that he got at the age of six and his name was Tommy. Tommy only dumped Ed once, otherwise any kid could ride him.

Ed said that he had Tommy until he was 14 years old and that they had to give him to their neighbor after the family moved to Menomonie.

Once in Menomonie, truck driving became the way of life for the Hobbick family. Ed left school at an early age and started driving his own International along side his father and brothers.

Truck driving supported his family, which included his wife Gertrude and their four children.

Ed praised his wife for being an amazing woman as she not only took care of the children, but she managed the family farm at the same so her husband could drive truck and make an income.

Ed hauled a variety of things including coal, gravel, bricks, manure spreaders and even horses. The gravel came from the pit that was owned by his family, which was on their farm land.

He also worked for the Wisconsin Milling Company from 1949 until it closed down and hauled feed and fertilizer.

Then in the late 1960s and early 70s, Ed and Gertrude began traveling to Colorado where they stayed at a home of a woman by the name of Way Phillips. Way was a rancher with over 600 acres and Ed was hired to be a ranch hand.

Ed officially retired in 1975, but he and Gertrude continued to spend their winters in Colorado on the ranch until Miss Way passed away.

After retiring, the Hobbicks bought a duplex in Boyceville and that is where they lived together until Gertrude passed away in 2000.

Ed played a prominent role in the Boyceville community throughout his years as he helped organize the construction and start of the community center.

He was and still remains active to best of his ability at St. Luke’s Church as well. His woodworking skills allowed him to build benches for the church early in his retirement.

Ed has never been one to say no to a challenge. He has spent his years being a master gardener, furniture builder and more recently a dancer. At the age of 95, Ed learned how to dance and even more recently he experienced parachuting.

Ed will be celebrating his 100th birthday with a party on Saturday, March 22 at St. Luke’s Church. The party is open to anyone who would like to stop by from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and wish him well.