Biographical Sketch of Francis L. Sibert, Johnson County, Missouri, Washington Township >From "History of Johnson County, Missouri," by Ewing Cockrell, Historical Publishing Company, Topeka, Cleveland, 1918. ********************************************************************** Francis L. Sibert, an honored and respected pioneer of Johnson county, Missouri, is a member of one of the oldest and best families of Miss- ouri. He was born in Page county, Virginia in 1834, the son of George W. and Mary (Long) Sibert, the former, a son of Francis Sibert, Sr. and the latter, a daughter of Isaac Long, of Virginia. Francis Sibert, Sr. was a saddler by trade, a scholar, and a linguist. He was widely known for his ability to speak fluently several different languages and for his splendid mental powers. He was born in 1760 and though but a lad of fifteen years, he served with his father in the Revolutionary War. His father died in the service. The son's death occurred in 1850 when he was ninety years of age. George W. Sibert, son of Francis Sibert, Sr. and father of the subject of this review, moved from Page county, Virginia in 1851 to Cooper county, Missouri and spent the re- mainder of his life. In 1865, Francis L. Sibert went to Lawrence, Kansas. In 1874 he came to Missouri and in 1876 to Johnson county and settled on a farm in Washington township. The Sibert place, upon which Mr. Sibert has lived forty-one years, excepting two years spent in Kansas City, comprises four hundred acres of splendid farm land. In 1876, Francis L. Sibert was united in marriage with Laura Thatcher, daughter of Dr. J. P. Thatcher, who represented Pettis county in the state Legislature several terms. To Francis L. and Laura (Thatcher) Sibert were born five children: one died in infancy, George P., Knob Noster, Missouri; Edwin F., Knob Noster, Missouri; and J. Walter, Knob Noster, Missouri, all operating the home place; and Mrs. Lavena Culp, Kansas City, Missouri. In 1906, Mrs. Sibert died. For many years, Mr. Sibert has been the school director in his district. His sons are largely engaged in stock raising and have converted most of his fine farm into pasture and grass land, seeking in this way to conserve the soil. Mr. Sibert, Sr., is a worthy member of the Methodist church, as was also Mrs. Sibert. George W. Sibert, father of Francis L. Sibert, was one of the leading and most influential men in Missouri, in his day. He had been a prominent man of affairs in his old home in Vir- ginia and before coming to Missouri had earned wide recognition by securing the passage of the first railroad bill in the state Legisla- ture of Virginia, where he was a representative from Shenandoah county. He was the author of the bill and it was through his efforts and influence that the bill became a law. His son, Francis L. Sibert, is a worthy descendant of splendid and exceptionally gifted ancestors. He possesses a well trained mind and remarkable memory. Mr. Sibert is gifted with exceptional conversational powers and it is a pleasure to hear him relate the many interesting incidents, which occurred in the pioneer days, with which his memory is stored. He is one of Johnson county's most highly valued citizens. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: <> Penny Harrell ====================================================================