My Genealogy Hound

HEMAN R. LYBOLT, one of the representative farmers of the town of Dix, Schuyler County, was born in Steuben County, January 13, 1838, and was fifth in a family of eight children born to Jacob and Azuba (Eveleth) Lybolt. His paternal great-grandfather, who was an officer in the German army, came to this country during the last century, and was the founder of this branch of the family in America.

Jacob Lybolt, who was born in Orange County in 1790, removed with his father from the latter county to Onondaga County when he was a boy. His father, who had lost his property by endorsing for friends, was in very straitened circumstances, and Jacob was therefore compelled to work for wages at whatsoever he could find to do. About 1825, in company with his elder brother, Abraham, he came to Schuyler County and bought land on Sugar Hill, in the town of Orange, and made his home with him until his marriage. His brother was a man of some note in Schuyler County, and held office for many years, being Supervisor a number of terms, and Justice of the Peace for many years. He also held a number of the minor town offices, and in the ‘40s represented his county two terms in the Legislature.

In 1828 the father and Azuba Eveleth were united in marriage. She was a native of Massachusetts and a daughter of Theophilus Eveleth, who was also a native of Massachusetts, but who removed to Schuyler County early in the present century. After their marriage they remained a number of years on the farm, and then Mr. Lybolt engaged in the lumber business in company with a younger brother. He finally disposed of the latter business and removed to the town of Dix, where he died in June, 1865. His wife survived him a number of years, making her home with our subject, at whose home she died in June, 1876. The parents were both members of the Baptist Church, in which he was a Deacon for years, and both were respected and honored citizens.

The subject of this sketch was reared on the old farm and attended the common schools of his neighborhood, receiving a limited education. In his youth he took charge of the home farm, which he helped clear of indebtedness, and continued with his father until after attaining his majority, without arrangement as to any remuneration. In September, 1864, he enlisted in the New York Light Artillery, which was attached to General Whistler’s brigade of the Army of the Potomac. He remained in the service until the close of the war, but just at its close he had word from home that his father was at the point of death, and he hastened home, only to find that he had already passed away.

During the war our subject purchased the old Underhill Farm, and on the 22d of November, 1865, was married to Miss Melissa A. Hardenburg, who was born in Tompkins County, May 10, 1843, and who was a daughter of William and Anna Eliza (Havens) Hardenburg, the former a native of Orange County, and the latter of Tompkins County, N. Y. After his marriage Mr. Lybolt located on the farm which he had purchased, making it his home for seven years. Before taking possession, however, he spent two years working in Huron for his father-in-law, and it was at his house that his only daughter, Nettie, was born October 20, 1866. She is now the wife of Brandt Wixon, and lives on a part of the home place, known as the “Town Farm.”

In 1875 Mr. Lybolt sold his farm and bought the Smith place, consisting of eighty acres, to which he later added forty-six acres. This was his home one year, when he was given the contract of keeping the town house and farm, where he remained one year, and then returned to his own farm. In 1886 the place which is now his home came into the possession of Mrs. Lybolt, and they decided to make it their home. The farm then consisted of ninety-eight acres, and in the spring of 1895 they bought the old town farm, and now have a farm of two hundred and seventy-seven acres.

For thirty-five years Mr. Lybolt has been a Master Mason, holding membership with Jefferson Lodge No. 332, at Watkins. He is also a member of D. W. Washburn Post, G. A. R. In politics he is a consistent Republican, and cast his first Presidential vote for Lincoln. He has never been an office-seeker, preferring to give his time and attention to business affairs, but has, however, served three terms as Town Assessor. Mr. Lybolt and three of his brothers served in the late war, thus showing that the Lybolt family was a patriotic one. Albert, his eldest brother, was killed at Petersburg, and Edwin was wounded while in the service.