James A. McKibban

BLACK, MACUMBER, MCKIBBAN, RIPPEY

Posted By: Judy Wight Branson (email)
Date: 10/12/2005 at 13:45:35

James McKibban, a prosperous farmer of Lincoln township, was born in Knox county, Illinois, on the 30th of August, 1858, a son of Joseph McKibban, whose birth occurred in Clinton county, Ohio. In 1854 the father removed to Knox county, Illinois, where he resided for ten years. On the i6th of October, 1864, he came to Madison county, Iowa, and settled in Lincoln township, buying six hundred and forty acres of land. The country was still rather sparsely settled and much of the work of development yet remained to be done. Mr. McKibban resided upon his farm until he retired from active life, when he took up his residence with his daughter, Mrs. Black. He passed away when nearly seventy-nine years of age, as he was born on the 9th of April, 1816, and his demise occurred in February, 1895. He was married in Ohio to Miss Mary Ratcliff, a native of Clinton county, that state, who died upon the farm in Lincoln township, this county, on the 3d of May, 1902, at the advanced age of eighty-two, her birth having occurred on the 29th of April, 1820. They were the parents of ten children, as follows: J. R., deceased; L. C., who resides in Macksburg, Iowa; Josiah, who has passed away; Columbus, who is living in Texas; Sylvester, deceased; James, of this review; Elizabeth, the wife of Andrew Macumber, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work; Eliza, the wife of Abner Black, of Winterset; and two who died in infancy.

James McKibban has passed his entire life upon a farm and much of his boyhood and youth were spent in this county as he was but six years of age when he accompanied his parents here. He received valuable training in agriculture through assisting his father with the work of the homestead in Lincoln township and found farming so much to his liking that he has continued to follow that occupation since arriving at years of maturity. He owns one hundred and thirteen acres of the homestead and forty acres of timber land in Monroe township and his well directed efforts are rewarded by a good income from his land. He possesses marked industry and everything about his place is kept in excellent condition, while he uses improved machinery in the various operations that constitute farming.

Mr. McKibban married Miss Sarah Rippey, a daughter of Dr. M. P. Rippey, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. McKibban have six children: Ethel, who is teaching in Macksburg, Iowa; Loudon and Nelson, who are attending school in Des Momes; and Lee, Lucile and Marjorie.

Mr. McKibban is a democrat in politics and takes a commendable interest in everything relating to the general welfare. He has won a large measure of success as a general farmer and has also gained the sincere friendship of many, who value highly his good opinion.

Taken from the book, “The History of Madison County, Iowa, 1915,” by Herman Mueller.