COBB, HOWELL American political leader, was born at Cherry Hill, Ga., on Sept. 7, 1815. He graduated from Franklin college (University of Georgia) in 1834, and in 1836 was admitted to the bar. From 1837 to 184o he was solici tor-general for the western circuit of his State. In 1843-51 and in 1855-57 he was a member of the national House of Represent atives, becoming Democratic leader in that body in 1847, and serving as speaker in 1849-51. From 1851 to 1853 he was gov ernor of his State ; and from 1857 to 186o he was secretary of the Treasury in President Buchanan's cabinet. In 1861 he was appointed colonel of a regiment and two years later was made a major-general in the Confederate army. He sided with Presi dent Jackson on the question of nullification; was an efficient supporter of President Polk's administration during the Mexican War; and was an ardent advocate of slavery extension into the Territories, but when the Compromise of 185o had been agreed upon he became its staunch supporter as a Union Democrat, and on that issue was elected governor of Georgia by a large majority. In 186o, however, he ceased to be a Unionist, and became a leader of the secession movement. He died in New York city on Oct. 9, 1868.