BIO: Silas W. GIBBONEY, Huntingdon County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of the Juniata Valley: 
Comprising the Counties of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry, 
Pennsylvania, Containing Sketches of Prominent and Representative 
Citizens and Many of the Early Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: J. M. 
Runk & Co., 1897, pages 103-104.
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  SILAS W. GIBBONEY, Saulsburg, Huntingdon county, Pa., was born in 
Barree township, December 5, 1835, son of Joseph and Rachel (Yocum) 
Gibboney.  John Gibboney, his grandfather, was of German descent; but 
was born in Pennsylvania.  He was a shoemaker, residing in Berks 
county, Pa., and removed with his family to Barree township, Huntingdon 
county, where he continued to follow the same vocation.  His first wife 
was Miss Lewis; she was the mother of Joseph and grandmother of Silas 
W. Gibboney.  Her daughters were Kate and Elizabeth.  She died in 
Barree township, and Mr. Gibboney married a second time, and had 
several children.  He was an old line Whig, and a member of the Baptist 
church.  He died at the home of his son Joseph, in Barree township.  
Joseph Gibboney received a subscription school education, for which he 
was obliged to walk three miles to the school house.  By his own 
efforts, he afterwards made up to a great extent for his lack of 
educational advantages.  He began self-supporting work by hiring his 
services to the farmers of the vicinity, always managing to save some 
part of his moderate wages.  He also worked at shoemaking with his 
father, and by diligence and economy, was able at twenty-three years of 
age to buy a tract of land in Barree township, which he cleared 
himself.  Making new purchases year after year, he became at last the 
owner of over 200 acres, in a good state of improvement, having upon it 
a fine house, a good barn and two orchards of Mr. Gibboney's planting.  
Besides tilling his land, he paid much attention to raising stock.  
Joseph Gibboney was married in Barree township to Rachel Yocum, born in 
Huntingdon county.  Their children are:  John Stewart, of Barree 
township, now residing in Nebraska; Oliver, enlisted in Company C, 
Forty-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, died during his term of service.  
Mrs. Rachel Gibboney died on the homestead. Mr. Gibboney cast his 
earlier votes for Democratic candidates, but before the war of the 
Rebellion broke out he had become an ardent Republican.  He was a 
devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, faithful in her 
service, and always active in whatever work was to be done.
  Silas W. Gibboney was educated in a public school, held in a homely 
frame house, but owned his education largely to his own ambition and 
perseverance.  He was also, as a boy, faithful in his attendance at 
Sunday-school.  His business life began, and has always continued, on 
the homestead, of which, since his father's death, he has had sole 
charge.  Mr. Gibboney cultivates over 145 acres of land.  He is very 
fond of horses, and takes pride in raising superior blooded stock.  He 
pays attention also to raising cattle, and has introduced into the 
valley some excellent breeds of sheep.  He has by his application to 
business and his sensible and upright dealings, well merited the 
success he enjoys.  He is much respected in the community; has served 
the township as supervisor for two terms, as auditor for three terms, 
and as assessor for three terms.  He is a Republican.
  The marriage of Silas W. Gibboney to Hannah Mary, daughter of Robert 
Aston, took place at Tyrone, Blair county, Pa., May 2, 1861.  Mrs. 
Gibboney was born at Stone Creek, Barree township; her father was a 
farmer; he enlisted in the United States army, and died during the term 
of enlistment.  The children of Mr. and Mrs. Gibboney are:  Oliver, on 
the homestead, married to Fannie Livingston; Ella; Maggie, deceased; 
and Joseph M., deceased.  Mrs. Gibboney and daughter are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal church.