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Frank
B. Tibbitts has for many years served efficiently as
postmaster of Hopkinton and is also one of the enterprising
merchants of the town, conducting a dry goods store. He was born
February 16, 1867, in Brunswick, Medina county, Ohio, a son of
Charles E. and Margaret (Bowne) Tibbitts, both natives of
England, the former born in 1830 and the latter in 1833. The
father was by occupation a shoemaker and after coming to this
country settled in Cleveland, Ohio, where he followed his trade
until the Civil war. In 1863 he entered the Union army, enlisting
in a regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was mustered out at
the end of ninety days, but reenlisted and remained in active
service until the close of hostilities in 1865. In 1880 he
removed to Hopkinton and in the spring of the following year his
family joined him. He passed away in May, 1893, but his widow
survives. To them were born eight children, six daughters and two
sons as follows: Kate L., whose birth occurred in 1859, became
the wife of Lester A. Wheelock, who died in Hopkinton in 1887.
They were the parents of two children, both of whom survive. Ida
was born in 1861 and in Ohio was married to John M. Stearns. She
now makes her home at Mount Vernon, Iowa, where she is respected
by all who know her. She has one son, John Howard, who is
connected with a corporation in Chicago after having been in the
postal service as a railroad mail clerk for five years. George
E., born in 1863, was a farmer of Ohio. He married Miss Julia
Braynard and they became the parents of five children. He passed
away in 1907, but his family still reside upon their farm in the
Buckeye state. Maggie, born in 1864, is the wife of George W.
Arthur, a farmer of Ohio. They have one daughter, Laura. Frank
B., the subject of this review, is the next in order of birth.
Ella, who was born in Ohio in 1869, is the wife of Fred C. Reeve,
cashier of the Hopkinton State Bank. They have a daughter, Zada,
who was born in 1905. Nellie, who was born in 1871, is now Mrs.
John M. Davis, her husband being traveling auditor representing a
lumber company at Walla Walla, Washington. To their union was
born a daughter, who died when about eight years of age. Louise,
born in 1873, is the wife of Lewis Lang, who is engaged in the
feed mill business at Monticello, Iowa. They have a son aged nine
years.
Frank B. Tibbitts was educated in the
public schools and after completing his formal education was
employed by a merchant, Charles E. Merriam, who was also
postmaster. In that way Mr. Tibbitts early familiarized himself
with the business of the post office and when, in 1893, under
Cleveland's administration, a new democratic postmaster was
appointed, Mr. Tibbitts was retained as assistant. The new
postmaster, P. F. Westcott, was also a jeweler and Mr. Tibbitts
learned the jewelry business under him. At the end of three years
he purchased Mr. Westcott's jewelry store and conducted it
successfully for some time. When McKinley was elected president
Mr. Tibbitts secured many signatures to a petition requesting
that he be made postmaster and he left the document with Colonel
D. B. Henderson, who subsequently became speaker of the house. At
Colonel Henderson's recommendation Mr. Tibbitts received the
appointment as postmaster of Hopkinton and has held that position
since, although his term will expire in March, 1915. He is
thoroughly familiar with all details of the work of the office
and the mails have been invariably handled with dispatch and
accuracy. In 1892 he purchased the dry-goods business belonging
to Charles E. Merriam and conducted it together with his jewelry
store until 1908. In that year he sold the jewelry business but
is still the owner of the dry goods store. He carries a well
selected stock of goods and, as his prices are moderate and his
treatment of his customers courteous, he has a large and
representative patronage in Hopkinton and the surrounding
country.
In 1888 Mr. Tibbitts was united in marriage to
Miss Frances Danford, a daughter of William and Hannah Danford,
residents of Union township, this county. Her birth occurred
February 16, 1867. To their union were born four children. Hazel,
whose birth occurred on the 12th of July, 1889, was graduated
from the local high school and subsequently took a scientific
course at Lenox College, completing her work in that institution
in 1909. She then taught school at Independence, Iowa, for three
years, but in the fall of 1913 she married J. M. Gemmel, who is
assistant cashier of the First National Bank of Independence and
they have a son, Donald J., whose birth occurred August 5, 1914.
Frank E., was born September 12, 1891, and after completing the
high-school course attended Lenox College. On leaving school he
assisted his father in the work of the post office for a time and
then went to Houston, Texas, where for two years he was employed
in the Rice Hotel. He is now connected with a hostelry in New
Orleans. Clarence B. was born February 12, 1893, and after
completing his schooling became deputy postmaster under his
father, which position he has held for three years. Thelma, born
January 4, 1901, is attending the public schools. In 1913 Mr.
Tibbitts was again married, Miss Nancy Chambers becoming his
wife. She is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Chambers, formerly
residents of Hopkinton, but now living at Regina, Canada. A son
was born to Mr. and Mrs. Tibbitts on the 4th of August, 1914.
The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal
church and contribute to its support. Mr. Tibbitts gives his
political allegiance to the republican party and is loyal to its
principles and policies. He has served in the town council for
twelve years and on the school board for nine years and
invariably votes for measures which will secure the advancement
of the community. Fraternally he belongs to the Masonic order. In
addition to his business in Hopkinton he owns three hundred and
twenty acres of land in the wheat belt of Canada near Regina,
Saskatchewan. His active life has brought him prosperity and also
the esteem of many friends who value his good opinion highly. |
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