YOUNGS SIBLEY. Each county has a number of citizens who have labored to advance both their own interests and those of the community in which they reside. Chief among those who have used their influence for the advancement of religious, educational and other worthy causes in Calhoun County ranks Youngs Sibley, whose sketch now claims attention. He is a popular and successful young farmer of Carlin Precinct, making his home on section 20, and devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits and stock raising and meeting with marked success on every side. His birth occurred in Calhoun County December 2, 1858, he being the son of John and Lucinda (Reed) Sibley. His childhood and youth were spent in his native county, which at that time presented only those scenes common to pioneer life and he has undoubtedly followed Horace Greeley's advice to "grow up with the country." His recollections of the pioneer days are very distinct and he relates most interesting experiences and anecdotes connected with the days of his youth. Educational advantages were very limited consequently Mr. Sibley's education did not extend beyond the information imparted at the district schools of Carlin Precinct, but his natural fondness for books has enabled him to keep well posted in regard to national and local affairs.
Mr. Sibley was married in September, 1883, to Miss Catherine Meyer, daughter of Joseph Meyer of Carlin Precinct and their union has been blessed with five children, viz: Mary L., Robert, Lucy, Frances and John. Our subject owns one hundred and sixty acres of valuable land and from early childhood has been interested in agriculture, having assisted his father on the home farm when quite young in years. He inclines to the Independent party in politics, voting for the man rather than the party, and supporting those he believes capable of filling the desired offices. He has at all times endeavored to improve both the mercantile and social standing of Carlin Precinct and as School Director is exceedingly popular. At one time he was a member of Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
Our subject's parents were natives of England and Pennsylvania respectively. His father emigrated from his native country to the United States and settled in Calhoun County, Carlin Precinct, in the year 1854. This section of Illinois was at that date scarcely more than a wilderness and being a poor man he was forced to undergo all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. He entered Government land and under his management the wild unbroken ground was soon transformed into a pleasing landscape. His death occurred in September, 1886, and by that event Calhoun County lost one of her worthiest English pioneers. He was a member of the Democratic party, favoring any measure that tended to the improvement of his county. He was a public-spirited man who won strong friendship and though he had practically no educational advantages his natural ability and energy enabled him to gain a vast amount of information on important matters. His was a life of perseverance in well doing, being a hard-working, strictly temperate man who was widely known and honored for his strict integrity and kindness of heart. No one man perhaps did more pioneer work than he accomplished and at his death he left a valuable estate of two hundred and forty acres of fine farming land, the result of long years of faithful and untiring efforts. He was twice married and was the father of a large family of children of whom the following are living at the present time: Robert, Youngs, Amanda, Ruth, Eliza, Jane and Stephen. He was in fact a worthy father of his most worthy son, our subject.
Extracted 23 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from Portrait and Biographical Album of Pike and Calhoun Counties, Illinois, published in 1891, pages 773-774
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