John E. Kibbey
One of the historical farm of Grant County is the Kibbey homestead in Section Thirty-three of Jefferson Township. In the early days the Muncie Pike, which passes in front of the door was a much traveled thoroughfare, and throughout all the months of the year was thronged from morning until night with wagons and vehicles of all descriptions. The place was then occupied by a man named Crawford, who conducted the old house as a tavern or inn, and the name assigned to it was one taken from revolutionary and colonial annals, and was "Black Horse Tavern." For the past forty years or more the old place has been in the possession of the Kibbey family, and it was successively the farm enterprise of Jonah Kibbey and then his son, the late John E. Kibbey. Mrs. John E. Kibbey and her children now reside there in comfort and plenty, and are among the popular people of Jefferson Township.
The late John E. Kibbey was born in Clinton County, Ohio, May 25, 1850, and was fifty-four years of age when death took him from his activities in Jefferson Township, on August 24, 1904. His parents were Jonah and Rebecca (Garrison) Kibbey, both natives of Ohio, where they were married. Jonah Kibbey was a son of Ephraim Kibbey, one of the early settlers and prosperous farmers and prominent citizens of Clinton County, Ohio. He died there in old age, and owned a large amount of land. His son, Jonah Kibbey, was also a well-to-do farmer in Clinton County, Ohio. He died there in old age, and owned a large amount of land. His son, Jonah Kibbey, was also a well-to-do farmer in Clinton County, and about 1870 sold out his possessions there and moved to Indiana. In Jefferson Township he bought one hundred and sixty acres lying in Sections Thirty-two and Thirty-three, and there continued his prosperous career until his death in 1892. At that time he was an old man, and his years had been fruitful in both material circumstances and the finer things of character and influence. He was a Republican in politics, and in religion was not an active churchman, though a man who believed in the best features of religious life. His wife, Rebecca, preceded him in death several years. There were four sons and two daughters in the family, and all of them married and had children. Paul, of Liberty Township; Mrs. Florence Hinckley, of Fairmount City; and Mrs. Ellen Wright, of North Dakota, are the children still living.
John E. Kibbey was educated in Clinton County, Ohio, and was about twenty years of age when the family moved to Grant County. Here he lived and learned the lessons of industry and thrift, was well trained in principles of honest dealing, and chose farming as his regular vocation. On the death of his father, he became owner of this old homestead, and afterwards built a fine red barn and other out buildings which are such conspicuous and valuable features of the estate. The creek which waters the farm still bears the name of John Crawford, the original owner of the land and proprietor of the old Black Horse Tavern. John E. Kibbey was a man who took an active part in local matters, was an intelligent and public spirited character, and held a high place in the esteem of his neighbors. Fraternally he was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Masonic Lodge, and the Improved Order of Red Men, and had held chairs in these different fraternities. In politics he was a Republican.
On January 1, 1873, in Jefferson Township, John E. Kibbey married Olive Carter. Mrs. Kibbey who survives her husband has the distinction of having been born in a log cabin home in Jefferson Township. The date of her birth was December 19, 1852, and she was reared and has always considered Jefferson Township her home. Though a comparatively young woman, she was within the scope of her early experience, many pioneer facts, and when a young girl she did many tasks of the old-fashioned housekeeper, such as spinning yarn, etc. Her parents were Ira J. and Eliza Ann (Corn) Carter. Her father was born in Zanesville, Ohio, March 15, 1822, and died March 21, 1899, in Jefferson Township, of Grant County, locating on new land, and after a few years established their home on another place in the same township. They lived long and active and useful lives, were Methodists in religion and Mr. carter was a Democrat in politics.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. John E. Kibbey are mentioned as follows:
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Clarence A., who lives in Marion, and married Mary Barley.
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Everet A., who now owns and occupies a part of the homestead, and by his marriage to Sarah C. Throckmorton has the following children: Lloyd T., Eva L., Paul K. and Mary O.
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Ira E., who lives on his mother's farm in Jefferson Township married Maud Carmin, and has two children, Everett L. and Opal A.
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Charles P., who now runs the home farm for his mother is unmarried.
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Rowland C., who is unmarried and is in the oil fields of California.
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Cora A. who is a successful teacher in Matthews.
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Bessie A., who died in infancy.
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Clinton J. died at the age of four years.
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John R. is a Senior in the Matthews High School.
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Carrie E., a Junior student in the high school.
Mrs. Kibbey and daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Source: Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914, page 814.