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- Excerpt from PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, Winona County, Minnesota. Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the County, Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States. Lake City Publishing Co. Chicago, Chapman Publishing Company, Printers and Binders, 1895. (Volume located in Minnesota Historical Society)
Page. 379
Oliver W. Tibbetts.
OLIVER W. TIBBETTS is one of the enterprising, wide-awake and valued citizens of Dakota, Winona County. He is engaged in contracting, also operates a stone-quarry for the Government, and carries the mail from Ridgeway to Dakota. Mr. Tibbetts is a western man by birth, for he claims Linn County, Iowa, as the place of his nativity. He was born December 28, l853, and is a son of Jeremiah W. and Catherine (Mainard) Tibbetts, the father a native of Indiana, the mother born near Ottawa, province of Ontario, Canada. The father was a farmer by occupation, and in 1849 emigrated to Minnesota, locating in Dresbach, where he engaged in business as an Indian trader for a time. He then removed to Iowa, but after a year spent in the Hawkeye. State, took up his residence in the village of Dakota, this county. For several years he spent much time going back and forth between the two places, but at this writing, in the fall of 1894, he is located in the city of Winona.
Oliver W. Tibbetts was reared under the parental roof, remaining at home until the day before he attained his majority. At that time, December 27, 1874, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice Wilson, daughter of J.G.and Sarah (Brown) Wilson, both of whom were natives of New York, but now reside upon a farm in this county. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Tibbetts, three of whom are yet living. Ethel May, born October 9, 1875, and Edith C., born December 12, 1877, are still at home; George W., born October 18, 1879, is the only son and the pride of the family. Alice M., born March 24, 1885, died on the 2d of November of the same year.
Mr. Tibbetts had no capital at the time of his marriage, but possessed a young man's bright hope of the future, and a determination to succeed, and with a resolute purpose began farming on rented land. He worked hard, and practiced economy, and at the end of a year was enabled to purchase forty acres of land, to which he removed. With characteristic industry lie began its development, and five years later purchased another tract of forty acres. He then sold out, paid off all indebtedness, and began work at day labor. He now owns some property in the village, besides his stone quarry, all of which has been acquired through perseverance, industry and good management. He also owns an imported Clydesdale, which has taken more prizes than any other horse ever
took in the show ring, being one of the finest heavy draft horses in the United Stales.
Mr. Tibbetts manifests a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend. He had no special school privileges himself, but resolved that his children should not lack in that direction, and is giving them good advantages. He is now serving as Constable of Dakota, a position he has filled for about six years with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He votes with the Republican party, and in his religious views is an Episcopalian.
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