Robert McGibbon
Robert McGibbons Farm
Sims Township
The story of Robert McGibbon of Sims Township, Grant County, Indiana, is a story of determined effort, courage and steadfastness of purpose, which no obstacle was great enough to destroy. Mr. McGibbon is now one of the most successful farmers and popular citizens in this part of Grant County, and when he arrived in this county he was friendless and had just ten cents in his pocket. Such a life as his should not only be an inspiration to boys handicapped by poverty but also to those more fortunate ones who have the first steps made smooth for them. Mr. McGibbon is an influential factor in the business world of this section and he has taken an active and public spirited part in the interests of the farmers, doing much to draw them closer together.
Robert McGibbon was born in Belfast, Ireland, on the 12th of February, 1866, the son of Francis and Sarah (McGee) McGibbon, both of whom are now dead, having passed away in their native Ireland. He was educated in the schools of Ireland, and until he was eighteen years of age he lived in Belfast. Then the desire to see the United States and to try his fortunes in the new land, a wish he had long had, came to its fulfillment. A cousin of his, returned from the United States to settle an estate, offered to take the boy back with him. His parents were opposed to his going, and so he borrowed the money for his passage, for he felt that he would never amount to anything if he stayed in Ireland. Upon his arrival in New York City, his sole-possession was an English sixpence, so his cousin paid his fare to Tipton County, Indiana, and upon his arrival he had just ten cents. He went to work for his cousin to pay him back the loan and for some time he worked on a farm in Grant County.
Until 1890 Mr. McGibbon worked on a farm in Grant County and then came the event in his life which gave him his start. He went to the far West and there in the gold mines became a mining engineer. He was possessed of a clever brain and turn for mechanics and soon became an expert in this work. For five years he was an engineer in the mine and quartz mill, later became Chief Engineer in the water works, and although holding a responsible and lucrative position, he always felt that the agricultural life was the most independent and the happiest, so he returned to Grant County and there bought the farm on Section Fourteen, Sims Township, which he named the Esperanza Farm, the Spanish name of which means most hopeful or most successful. he owns 219 acres of land in Sims Township, which is well ditched and highly improved. He has erected all the buildings on the place and they are modern and well built. He is well known among breeders, as a breeder of Short Horn cattle, subject to register, and he also breeds Poland China hogs. He is a large feeder and sells his cattle almost entirely to local buyers. He lives the life of the modern farmer, with his modern house, with all the conveniences of a town house, a telephone to bring the world nearer and lastly, that boon to the farmer, a automobile.
Mr. McGibbon has never taken a very active part in politics, but he is a loyal member of the Republican party. He has served as a member of the Grant County Board of Equalization, and he has also been Superintendent of the twelve miles of gravel road through his district. He is one of the stockholders in the Farmers' Trust and Savings Bank in Marion, and he is a stockholder in the Sweetser Telephone Company. He has always been active in the farmers' organizations and is Treasurer of the Grant Farmers' Institute.
Mr. McGibbon was united in marriage on the 27th of May, 1895, to Miss Agnes Shafer, of Carroll County, Indiana. Nine children have been born of this union, tow of whom are dead. The living are as follows:
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Ford B., born on April 2, 1896.
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Loren, who was born on the 3rd of February, 1898.
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Raymond, whose birth occurred on May 1, 1900.
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Mabel, who was born on May 24, 1902.
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Dolores, born on the 17th of April, 1904.
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Pauline, whose birth took place on September 19, 1908.
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Isabelle, who was born on the 24th of September, 1909.
Mr. McGibbon is a member of the Swayzee Lodge, No. 637, of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons.
Source: Centennial History of Grant County Indiana 1812-1912. The Lewis Publishing Co., 1914, page 1132-33.