BIOGRAPHIES: Thomas BIBBY, Galesville, Trempealeau Co., WI ==================================================================== 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, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Nance Sampson, Trempealeau Co. WIGenWeb Coordinator, 7 June 2001 ==================================================================== Thomas Bibby, a prosperous citizen of Galesville, who is engaged in market gardening and chicken raising, is a native son of this county, born at Glasgow, Oct. 10, 1858. His parents were John and Mary (McMillan) Bibby, both born in Scotland, the father Aug. 15, 1832, the mother a year or two previously. John Bibby came to the United States in 1853, settling in Maryland. Later he removed to Kentucky and from there to Ohio, subsequently returning to Maryland, and was there married. In 1856 they came to Trempealeau County, where Mr. Bibby was engaged in farming until his death in February, 1912, his farm being located nine miles northeast of Galesville. He had been a widower for some 14 years, his wife having died in September, 1898. He was a man of prominence in the township, and at different times held local office. Thomas Bibby was the second born in a family of six children. His education was begun in the old Glasgow schoolhouse of his father's farm and he subsequently was a student for three terms in Gale University. He began assisting his father on the farm when 14 years of age, and the management came into his hands a few years later, on account of the father's health failing. When 30 years old he and his brother James rented the farm and operated it on their account for three years. He then purchased a farm adjoining the old home on the north, which he operated eight years. Then selling this farm, he moved to Galesville and two years later -- 1904 -- purchased the place where he now resides, although he did not move onto it until 1909. This is a tract consisting of 12 lots, all inside the city limits, and here Mr. Bibby devotes his time to truck farming, raising vegetables and similar produce, finding a ready market in Galesville. He also keeps about 60 White Leghorn chickens, to which he devotes most of his time in the winter. In politics Mr. Bibby is a Prohibitionist. He has served as village treasurer two years and in 1916 was a candidate for county treasurer. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and of the order of Beavers. Mr. Bibby was married June 16, 1893, to Anna Pryse, who was born in New London, Ohio, daughter of James M. and Mary (Morgan) Pryse, who were natives of Wales. Her father came to America when a child, his family settling near Palmyra, Ohio. He became a Presbyterian minister and came to Wisconsin about the time the Civil War broke out, or previously. From this state he went to Lawrence, Kansas, where he was living at the time that place was attacked and raided by the notorious rebel guerrilla Quantrel. Later he returned to Wisconsin and made his home at North Bend, where his death occurred, he having been active in church work until the last. His wife, who subsequently made her home with her son-in-law, Thomas Bibby, died Nov. 7, 1903. Mr. and Mrs. Bibby became the parents of two children: Gwynifred Jane and Mary Edna, both of whom are students at Carroll College, Waukesha, Wis. Mrs. Thomas Bibby died July 14, 1900. --From the "History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917," pages 360 - 361.