Gobin was born in Sunbury, Pennsylvania on January 21, 1837, the oldest of four children of Samuel and Susanna Gobin Shindel. He was educated locally and became an apprentice at the Sunbury American newspaper, where he was trained as a printer. He then read law with M. L. Shindel and John K. Clement, the father of Charles M. Clement, with whom Gobin later served in the National Guard. Gobin was admitted to the bar in 1858, and began to practice in Sunbury.
In 1861 Gobin enlisted for the American Civil War and was commissioned a first lieutenant in Company F of the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry. After the unit's three-month term of service expired Gobin organized Company C of the 47th Pennsylvania Infantry, which he commanded as a captain. The 47th Pennsylvania served throughout the rest of the war, primarily in Florida, South Carolina and Virginia, and Gobin rose through the ranks to become the regiment's colonel and commander. Major General Philip H. Sheridan rewarded Gobin for his performance at the Battle of Pocotaligo in South Carolina by recommending him for the brevet rank of brigadier general. On July 6, 1866, President Andrew Johnson nominated Gobin for appointment to the grade of brevet brigadier general of volunteers, to rank from March 13, 1865, and the United States Senate confirmed the appointment on July 23, 1866. Near the end of the war he commanded 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, XIX Corps. After the surrender of the Confederacy, Gobin served as a Provost Marshal in South Carolina and Georgia until he was mustered out of the service on January 9, 1866.
A Republican, Gobin was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 17th district in 1884 and served from 1885 to 1899. He was the body's President pro tempore from 1891 through 1893. In 1898 Gobin was elected lieutenant governor, and he served from 1899 to 1903.
Continued military service
In 1870 Gobin returned to military service as a member of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, commanding a company in Lebanon called the Coleman Guards with the rank of captain. In 1874 he was named commander of the 8th Regiment with the rank of colonel. In 1885 he was promoted to brigadier general as commander of the 3rd Brigade. In 1898 Gobin was appointed to command his brigade when it was federalized for the Spanish–American War. He led his brigade during mobilization and training near Augusta, Georgia, but resigned in order to run for lieutenant governor, and returned to National Guard service in Pennsylvania. In 1906 he was promoted to major general as commander of the Pennsylvania National Guard Division, succeeding Charles Miller. He commanded the division until he retired in 1907, and was succeeded by John A. Wiley.
Additional activities
Gobin was also a member of the Freemasons, Knights Templar, and Odd Fellows. He served as Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar in North America from 1889 to 1892.
Death and burial
Gobin died in Lebanon on May 1, 1910. He was interred at Mt. Lebanon Cemetery in Lebanon, Pennsylvania.
