The house at 230 Cobourg Street was built in the summer of 1909 by carpenter Hamilton Dempsey. He never lived in the house, according to the city directories, likely having built it for the first inhabitants Eliza Hobson and her two sons.

Eliza (Elizabeth) was born in Hamilton on December 22, 1834. She married her husband Robert Hobson in Hamilton, Ontario. Her parents were father, William Daily and her mother Jane Mills.

Robert was born in Armagh, Ireland on May 14, 1815 to William (1779-1875) and MaryAnn (Compton) (1790-1855). They had arrived in Canada by 1851, as the Census shows them living on an 80-acre farm in Welland, Ontario.

Eliza and Robert had a large family consisting of 5 sons and 8 daughters. Anne Jane (Jennie), the first born on August 16, 1853 in Hamilton, Ontario. William Daly was born on June 27, 1855, in Brantford, Ontario. By 1858, Eliza and Robert had bought a farm in Downie Township. They continued to live on the farm until moving into Stratford according to the Census. Their son, John was the first to be born on the farm in 1858. Elizabeth was born on March 10, 1859, followed by George on December 19, 1862. Daughter Emma came along on January 3, 1863, in Woodstock.

Minnie also born in Woodstock on February 5, 1865. Daughter Jessie was next on January 8, 1867, then Nettie in 1869. Louisa (1871), Robert on February 16, 1873, Rebecca in October 1876 and Levi (Lee) in 1879 completed their family.

Robert passed on January 31, 1910, never living in the house on Cobourg Street. Eliza and her sons Robert Jr. and Lee moved into the house with her. Robert continued to live with his mother until she passed on January 23, 1926. Eliza was still listed as the owner of the house until 1924, when Robert became was listed as owner according to the city directories.

Sisters Louisa, Nettie and Rebecca all who never married were living with Robert in the 1930 city directories.

Both Eliza and Robert are buried in Avondale Cemetery along with Louisa. Robert, Lee, Nettie and Rebecca are buried together in Avondale as well. Emma and Jessie died five months apart and buried in Avondale Cemetery.

Rebecca was the last sibling to live in the house; she sold it in 1963 to Edward Scott.

Architectural Conservancy Ontario Stratford-Perth County