The Biographical Dictionary of America/Cobb, Amasa

COBB, Amasa, representative, was born in Crawford county. 111., Sept. 27, 1823; son of John and Nancy (Briggs) Cobb, both born and married at Orange, Franklin county, Mass. ; and grand- son of Josiah Cobb, who died at Orange, Mass., in 1832. He removed to Wisconsin Territory in 1842 and engaged in lead mining. He volunteered as a soldier in the Mexican war and used his leisure time in studying law. On his return he was admitted to the bar and practised his profession at Mineral Point, Wis. He served as district attorney, 1850-54 ; state senator, 1855-56 ; adjutant-general of the state, 1855-57; was in the state assembly, 1860-61, and speaker of the assembly in 1861, was colonel of the 5th Wisconsin volunteers, 1861-62 ; a representative in the 38th U.S. congress, 1863-65, and on its adjournment he organized the 43d Wisconsin regiment and reentered the military service as its colonel. While in the field he was elected to the 39th congress. He was mustered out of the service in July, 1865, and was brevetted brigadier-general for gallantry at Williamsburg, Golding"s Farm and Antietam. He served in the 38th, 39th, 40th and 41st congresses, 1863-71. He then removed to Lincoln, Neb., and subsequently became a justice of the supreme court.