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G. E. Dibble

G. E. Dibble, farmer and stock-raiser, residing on section 25, Bethel Township, has been identified with the history of this county for thirty-eight years and never to its detriment, but with a commendable interest he has aided in its upbuilding and advancement and the promotion of its enterprises. He was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., in 1836, and is a son of E. H. and Harriet (Tinkum) Dibble, who were also natives of New York, the father born in 1803, and the mother in 1814. Their marriage was celebrated in 1835. By occupation Mr. Dibble was a farmer and followed that business in the East until 1849 when, accompanied by his family he emigrated to Rock County, Wis., locating near Evansville. Three years later we find him a resident of Clermont Township, Fayette County, Iowa, where he opened up a farm and made it his home until his death, which occurred in 1881, having survived his wife five years. He was an ardent Republican in politics and a prominent and influential citizen of the community. His father was a native of Scotland and the founder of the family on American soil. He served in the Revolutionary War as did the maternal grandfather of our subject, who was of German descent. The three children of E. H. and Harriet Dibble are G. E. of this sketch; Martin who was born in 1838 is married and resides in Clermont Township, and Franklin who was born in 1841 is married and makes his home in Antelope County, Neb. He enlisted in 1862 in the Thirty-eighth Iowa Infantry and for three years followed the old flag until the war ended. He was honorably discharged in September, 1865, and engaged in farming and the manufacture of brick in this county until 1882 when he removed to Nebraska.

Our subject was a lad of sixteen years when the family came to Iowa. He attended the public schools of his native State and pursued a three years' course in the Upper Iowa University of Fayette, after which he studied law in McGregor. He was admitted to the bar in Clayton County in about 1862 and began practice in Clermont where for many years he carried on a successful legal business. He was married in this county in 1870 to Miss Nettie L. Frisbie, a native of Essex County, Westport, N. Y., and a daughter of H. B. and Eliza (Richards) Frisbie, the former a native of Connecticut, born in 1811 and the latter in 1815, in New York where their marriage was celebrated. They came to Iowa in 1857 and settling in Grand Meadow Township, Clayton County, Mr. Frisbee gave his attention to farming, which he made his life occupation. In 1866 he removed to Clermont where he soon made friends among the best class of citizens who esteemed him for his sterling worth. His death occurred in February, 1889. His wife is still living and makes her home in Clermont. In their family were seven children, five of whom are now living: Sarah Jane, wife of O. H. Moone, of Clayton County, Iowa, died in October, 1885; William Frank, born in 1830, was drowned in Turkey River, near Clermont, June 22, 1866; Mina A. is now the wife of Hiram Wright, of Dixon County, Neb.; Mrs. Dibble is the next younger; John W. is married and resides in Clermont; Charles F. is married and makes his home in Helena, Mont., and Mary is now Mrs. White, of Clermont.

Mr. and Mrs. Dibble began their domestic life in Clermont. The family have traveled to a considerable extent, having two or three times visited California, and also other places of interest. Mr. Dibble devoted himself to the practice of law and the real-estate business in Clermont with excellent success until 1889, when in the month of April he disposed of his interests in that place and removed with his family to his farm on section 25, Bethel Township where he owns six hundred and forty acres of highly cultivated land furnished with all necessary improvements, good buildings and other accessories to the model farm. He votes with the Republican party and has held a number of official positions, proving a faithful and competent officer. While residing in Clermont he served as Mayor. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend and he cheerfully does what he can for its advancement. Socially, he is a member of Clermont Lodge A. F. & A. M., and Clermont Chapter of Clermont, and of Langridge Commandery No. 47, K. T. of West Union. In religious belief he holds the opinion of the Methodist people and his wife is a member of the church of that denomination in Clermont.

Their family numbers four children: Hattie, a graduate of the Clermont High School is now engaged in teaching; Lee is a student in the Upper Iowa University, and Freddie and Amy are attending school in the home district. Mr. Dibble has been a witness of almost the entire growth of the county, has seen the wild prairies transformed into rich and fertile farms, pioneer homes replaced by commodious and substantial residences and the work of progress and development carried forward until one may feel it an honor to have been identified with it during all these years.