My Genealogy Hound

FRANCIS L. SIBERT. As an example of what may be accomplished by an industrious and energetic man, the life record of Mr. Sibert is presented to our readers. He is numbered among the wealthiest of the citizens of Johnson County, where he has made his home for nearly twenty years. Through his intelligent and indefatigable efforts he has become the possessor of a competence, representing the labor of a lifetime. His residence, a cozy and conveniently arranged rural abode, is pleasantly situated on section 11, township 45, range 24, and is surrounded by all the improvements of a model farm, including substantial outbuildings, wide-stretching pastures and well tilled fields.

Born in Page County, Va., July 11, 1834, the subject of this article is the eldest child of George W. and Mary (Long) Sibert, natives of Shenandoah County, Va., the former born in 1810, and the latter in 1814. His father, who was for more than forty years a resident of Virginia, came West about 1852 and for thirteen years made his home in Cooper County, Mo. Thence in 1865 he went to Lawrence, Kan., and resided for eight years, returning from there to Missouri, and settling in Pettis County, near Sedalia. He continued to reside there until his death, in November, 1881, at the age of seventy. His good wife followed him to the grave in 1893, at the venerable age of seventy-nine. The family has been characterized by the deepest patriotic spirit, and both our subject’s grandfather and great-grandfather were among the valiant defenders of the Colonies during the Revolution.

For some years George W. Sibert was largely interested in iron works in Virginia. His ability was recognized by his fellow-citizens, who elected him to a number of official positions, and in many ways showed their appreciation of his intelligence and enterprise. He was elected to represent Shenandoah County in the State Legislature, and in that responsible position rendered faithful service in the interests of his constituents.

The family being well-to-do, our subject had fair educational advantages in youth, and attended the common schools until eighteen years of age. During his vacations he assisted his father in the iron works. At the age of seventeen he came to Missouri and settled with his father and brothers on a farm in Cooper County. In 1876 he removed from there to the beautiful estate upon which he has since lived. The larger part of his property is rented to other farmers, while he gives his attention principally to stock-raising. His home farm comprises five hundred and twenty acres, all well improved and under cultivation.

In March, 1876, Francis L. Sibert was united in marriage with Miss Laura E. Thatcher, an accomplished lady, who was born in Pettis County, Mo., and received an excellent education in a college at Lexington, this state. She is the daughter of Dr. John and Rebecca (Perkins) Thatcher, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Kentucky. By her union with our subject she has become the mother of five children, of whom the second-born, Mary Rebecca, died in infancy. The others, George P., Lavinia, Francis Edwin, and William Walter, are with their parents. Mrs. Sibert is a member of the Methodist Church, to which our subject is a generous contributor, but not a member. Politically he is a Democrat, stanch in his allegiance to party men and measures, but not an aspirant for public honors, preferring to devote his attention to his private affairs. As a citizen he is progressive, and justly ranks among the leading residents of the county.