Tobey, James A.

Dr. James A Tobey

Dr. James A Tobey in Quincy Mass on July 15, 1894 he was the son of Rufus T and Mary Sherry Toby He was a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he later earned his doctorate and he received a master’s degree in hygiene from American University in Washington DC. He also received a law degree from Washington Law School at Southeastern University. Dr Tobey was director of health service for the Borden Co in New York City from 1927 to 1937 and director of nutrition for the American Institute of Baking 1939 to 1942

During World War I, Dr Tobey wanted to be a pilot but was turned down because be wore glasses. He was assigned to the army’s public safety division at several bases in the south during World War I.

He married Lena May King on September 8, 1918, in Manhattan, New York. They had four children during their marriage. In Rye his family lived at 840 Forest Ave.

Colonel James A. Tobey was recalled to duty January 20, 1943 and served as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served in North Africa, Italy, London and Germany.

Lieutenant Colonel James A. Tobey, of 840 Forest Avenue, Rye, was the American officer who took over the U. S. military government of Wurttemberg, Germany, on July 8, 1945, it has been announced. In a ceremony at the former French military government headquarters in Stuttgart, the capital, the French, British and United States flags were lowered at the order of the French commandant, Colonel Niel, and then raised again at Colonel Tobey’s order, the American flag replacing the French tricolor in the center.

The greater part of Wurttemberg and its capital, Stuttgart, had been occupied by the French since April 23. It became part of the American zone at noon on July 8. Colonel Tobey has been serving since early May as deputy commander of the U. S. Military Government Liaison Mission in Wurttemberg and previously was Chief of the U. S.
Mission to Baden.

Overseas for more than two years, Colonel Tobey has participated in seven campaigns and has been a key figure in U. S. military government forces in North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France and Germany. He has been in the reserve corps since serving in the last war and took a course in military government at the University of Virginia.

A son, Lt. (J. g.) James W. Tobey, 25, is serving with the U. S.
Navy in the Pacific. Col. Tobey’s wife, Lena M., resides at the Rye address with his daughter, Miss Sylvia Tobey, 20.

Port Chester
The Daily Item
1945
Aug
09
Page 2

Colonel James A. Tobey Home From Long Service Overseas

After World War II he was a commentator on food and nutrition for radio station WOR He returned to active duty in 1952 nerving at Brook Army Medical Center San Antonio Texas. From 1953 to 1961 he lectured on public health law at Yale School of Medicine. He lived in Rye from 1927 to 1950 and returned In 1971 after living in Newtown Conn.

Active in community affairs in Rye he served as president of the Rye Boy Scout Corporation and was first president of the Rye High School Dad’s Club in 1931.

Author of many books and articles on public health, Dr Tobey recently wrote a history of Milton Point for the Milton Point Association which appeared in the Rye Historical Society’s newsletter He also compiled a history of the Square House which appeared in the Newtown Bee in 1972. He was a member of the American Yacht Club.

In the Veteran’s Day interview in The Daily Item, he said that be would serve again if he had to “I’m not for war believe me” he said I saw enough death and destruction in World War II. It was a job I had to do” He had a message for those who turn their backs on soldiers, “It isn’t the soldiers that make the war it is the civilians”

Dr James A Tobey, 86, who rose to the rank of colonel during army service in World War I and II died unexpectedly Saturday November 23, 1980 at his home at 15 Purchase St in Rye, NY.

At the time of his death, he was survived by a son James William Tobey of Rye a daughter Mrs Sylvia Hoisington of Farmington Maine nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His wife Lena King Tobey died in 1979.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75935187/obituary…