F. T. McKIBBEN

F. T. McKibben, dealing in real estate and conducting also a general insurance agency, has built up an extensive business, to which he devotes a great deal of his time and attention. His close application, his strong purpose, his conservative and honorable methods constitute the basis of a success which classes him today with the leading and representative business men of Humeston. He is a native of Iowa, born in Decatur county, his parents being John and Harriet (Hurd) McKibben, natives of Trumbull county, Ohio. The parents of our subject settled in Decatur county in 1857 and there resided for many years. The father is living at the present time in Humeston and is seventy-six years of age. His wife passed away in this city in 1895. They became the parents of six children: F. T., of this review; Mrs. Mary Ellen King, who lives in Humeston; Mattie, who passed away in the City of Mexico; Mrs. Belle Kirby, also of Humeston; Mrs. Elizabeth Richards, of the same city; and Orman, who resides on the old home farm in Decatur county.

F. T. McKibben was reared at home and grew to manhood upon his father’s farm, attending the public schools of Garden Grove. When he laid aside his books he engaged in the mercantile business in Garden Grove for two years and later in Highpoint for ten years. He met with substantial success in this line and, carefully directing his interests, achieved results that were directly attributable to his enterprise and ready use of opportunity. In 1893 he removed to Humeston and here for some time carried on his former occupation, conducting a general mercantile store for sixteen years. In 1909 he disposed of this enterprise and engaged in handling real estate, dealing in town property, both improved and unimproved, and in farming lands in the vicinity. In addition he is conducting a profitable insurance agency, representing some of the leading companies in the United States. In both connections he has secured a large clientage and is devoting his fine business ability and executive force to the further development of his interests.

In Humeston, in 1894, Mr. McKibben married Miss Jennie Wolverton, who was born at Highpoint, Decatur county, on the 4^th of April, 1864. She acquired her education in the public schools of that locality and remained at home until she married. Her parents, Perry and Caroline (Miller) Wolverton, are both natives of Ohio but reside in Humeston. To their union were born two daughters: Mrs. Libby Canfield, residing at Fort Madison, Iowa; and Mrs. McKibben. Mr. and Mrs. McKibben also have two daughters, both born in Humeston: Harriett, whose birth occurred on the 18^th of February, 1896, and who is now attending the Humeston high school; and Margaret, born December 10, 1903, who is attending public school. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. They reside in a comfortable and attractive home and are well known and widely popular in social circles of the city.

Mr. McKibben gives his allegiance to the republican party and is in all matters of citizenship progressive, energetic and public-spirited. For a number of years he did able work as a member of the town council and at the present time is serving as president of the board of education. The salient features of his life command the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, for he has met discouraging conditions with high confidence and quiet courage thus winning success. The qualities which he displays in relation to all matters of general interest mark him as a public-spirited citizen and his record is in all respects a credit to his resolution and his optimism.

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