PATRICK H. TOBIN, who is associated with the directorate of many corporate interests of Denison and is now manager and treasurer of the Denison Crystal Ice Company, was born in West Rutland, Vermont, in 1851, and in early manhood came to this city, since which time he has been closely identified with his interests. His parents were Patrick and Margaret (Morrisey) Tobin, both of whom were natives of Ireland, but their marriage was celebrated in Quebec, Canada. The father died in 1896 at the age of seventy- four years, having long survived his wife, who passed away in 1869. In their family were nine children, of whom seven are yet living, namely: Patrick H., and Denny.
Patrick H. Tobin acquired just a plain education while learning his trade, which was learned principally at the Northwestern shops in Chicago, and when twenty-one years of age, came to Denison, arriving here on the 24th of December, 1872. He was at that time working on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, which entered Denison on that day. He continued in the employ of the railroad company for eleven years in the capacity of engineer and he was one of the first engineers to make the trip over this road. In 1882 he went to Mexico and was master mechanic for the Mexican National Railroad in the city of Mexico for eight years, and then returned to Denison and went into the Cotton Compress business. During the early years of his residence here Mr. Tobin purchased property and still retains possession of it. In 1890 Mr. Tobin engaged in the compress business with others under the style of the Denison Compress Company, being manager of the plant until 1904. In December, 1894, he purchased an interest in the Denison Crystal Ice Company, which had been organized in 1888. He bought his stock of C. W. Dowley, who was then and is still president of the Company. He is likewise a director in the State National Bank of Denison.
Mr. Tobin was married in Denison in 1879, to Miss Jennie Cameron, a native of Canada, and they have three children: Frances, Margaret and James C. The first named was born in Denison and others in Mexico. Mr. Tobin has served as councilman for the first ward for several terms and for three terms acted as president of the city council, during which time his championship of progressive public measures proved of practical benefit to the municipality. His political allegiance is given to the Democracy. He stands today as a splendid example of the self made man, whose strength of character, laudable ambition and unremitting diligence constitute the basis of success. Coming to the southwest in the humble capacity of a railroad employe [sic], he is today classed with the representative and substantial citizens of Denison, and analyzation of his life work shows that his success has been acquired through honorable means that many might follow and which ultimately lead to prosperity.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), Vol. I, pp. 618-619.