Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1889

Source: Portrait and Biographical Album, Muscatine County, Iowa, 1889, page 202
ERNEST H. LIEBBE, one of the early settlers of this county, residing on section 22, Bloomington Township, was born near Hanover, Germany, Jan. 18, 1845, and is a son of Herman and Adelhite Liebbe, who were also natives of Germany. The mother of our subject died when he was quite young, leaving two children-----Ernest, and Henry F., who is married and resides in Des Moines, and is an architect in the employ of Foster & Co., of that city. Mr. Liebbe was married the second time, and by that union had four children: Christie, Harry; Johnnie, who died in September, 1888, aged eleven years and six months, and Emma, wife of Mr. Bierman, an engineer at the Hershey mill. In 1857, accompanied by his family, Mr. Liebbe emigrated to America, embarking on a sailing - vessel, and after a fair voyage of eight weeks landed at New Orleans. He there took a steamer up the river to Muscatine, the journey continuing for two weeks, after which he engaged at work in a sawmill, and has followed that occupation continuously since.

When twelve years of age our subject came with his father to Muscatine. His education was received partly in Germany and partly in this country, and at the age of fourteen years he began work in a sawmill, which he followed for fourteen years. He also learned the trade of a cooper, which occupation he followed in Muscatine and Cedar Rapids, making his home in the former city until 1876; he then purchased forty acres of land, his present home farm. Upon it he had made many improvements, and raises small fruit as his special line of work, as the soil is peculiarly adapted to that end. He has set out raspberries, blackberries, and various other kinds of small fruit, which he sells in the Muscatine market. In connection with that he has a fine grade of Jersey cows, and supplies the market with butter, having several customers whom he supplies yearly.

In 1867, in Muscatine, Iowa, Mr. Liebbe led to the marriage altar Miss Catherine Snyder, a native of Huntingdon, Pa., and a daughter of Jacob and Barbara (Sniveley) Snyder, who were also born in that State. Her parents came West at an early day, settling in Muscatine County, where they are numbered among the pioneers. The death of the mother occurred in 1862, and the father departed his life in 1880, at the age of sixty-two years. Two children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. Liebbe, Jacob and Henry, who are now attending school, Miss Lizzie Liebbe, a cousin of our subject, also makes her home with him. Both parents are members of the Lutheran Church, of Muscatine, and are held in high esteem in the community where they reside. Mr. Liebbe casts his ballot with the Republican party, but has never taken any active part in political affairs, preferring to devote his entire time and attention to his home and his business interests. Since he was twelve years of age he had spent his life in Muscatine County, where he has witnessed many great changes. He has seen the little village of Bloomington transformed into the prosperous city of Muscatine, has seen the wild and unsettled prairies developed into beautiful homes and farms, and in all the work of advancement and improvement has cheerfully borne his part.

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