BIOGRAPHIES: Richard BIBBY, Gale Township, Trempealeau Co., WI

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Richard Bibby, one of the sturdy farmers who is engaged in developing the 
agricultural resources of Gale Township, was born on his present farm in 
section 27, July 10, 1868.  His parents, Richard and Mary (Faulds) Bibby, 
natives of Scotland, were married in the State of Maryland, in 1852, after 
they had been in this country some four or five years.  In 1854 Richard 
Bibby, the elder, purchased from the Government the land which now 
constitutes the farm of his son and namesake, but it was not until October, 
1856, that he and his family moved onto it.  At that time it could hardly be 
called a farm, as it was destitute of improvements of any kind, so Mr. Bibby 
found plenty of hard work ahead of him.  He went at his task with vigor, at 
first putting up only the most essential buildings, and those of a primitive 
kind, giving his main attention to raising crops for the support of himself 
and family.  As time went on, however, he improved the place, and cultivated 
a larger area of land.  Satisfied with his choice, he tried no experiments 
with other locations, but remained here until his death, which occurred in 
July, 1894.  For 18 years, beginning with the organization of the district, 
he served as a member of the school board.  His wife did not long survive 
him, passing away in March, 1895. They belonged to that sturdy pioneer class 
who conquered the wilderness, and to whom the present generation owes much 
for the better conditions now enjoyed.  Moreover, they took part in the 
religious life of the community, Mr. Bibby being a charter member and for 
some years an elder of the Presbyterian church at Galesville, and later 
assisting to organize the church of that denomination at North Bend.  Their 
family was a large one, numbering 15 children, of whom the subject of this 
sketch was the ninth in order of birth.  Richard Bibby, the second of the 
name, acquired the elements of knowledge in the district school.  As may be 
supposed, he was not allowed to grow up in idleness, but at an early age 
began to assist his father, there being always something to do on the farm.  
He resided at home, with the exception of two or three winters, until 1894, 
when, being now in his twenty-sixth year, he rented the farm from his father 
for one year.  The latter dying soon after, however, he then became the 
owner of the property and has resided on it ever since.  It contains 158 
acres, and Mr. Bibby carries on general farming, including dairying and the 
raising of hogs, besides keeping more or less other stock.  The chief 
improvements now standing were made by him, and include a circular barn, 64 
feet in diameter, with a 9-foot basement and 20 feet overhead, the erection 
of which shows him to be enterprising and up-to-date.  He is also a 
stockholder in the Farmers' Exchange at Galesville, the La Crosse Packing 
Company and the Independent Harvester Company, of Plano, Ill., and is a 
member of the American Society of Equity.  In politics Mr. Bibby is an 
independent Republican.  He has served on the board of supervisors three 
terms and as a member of the school board nine years.  Sept. 23, 1896, he 
was married to Ina Jones, who was born in Gale Township, daughter of John 
and Lucy (Miller) Jones.  Her parents were both natives of England, but 
were married in Columbia County, Wis., in which State Mr. Jones settled 
when he came to this country, being then about 22 years old, subsequently 
locating in Columbia County.  In the early '50s of the last century he 
removed with his family to Trempealeau County, and was a pioneer of Gale 
Township, taking a farm on the Jackson County line.  That place was his 
subsequent home until his death in 1887.  His wife is still living on the 
old homestead, being now well advanced in years.  They had five children, 
of whom Mrs. Bibby was the youngest.  Mr. and Mrs. Bibby have been the 
parents of six children:  Richard A., Arthur, who died at the age of 2 
years, Allen L., William Hollis, Mary E. and Alice M.  The surviving 
children are all residing at home.  Mr. and Mrs. Bibby are members of the 
North Bend Presbyterian church, and have many friends throughout this part 
of the county.

--From the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," pages 648 - 649.