Margaret E. Tibbitts

Margaret E. Tibbitts

MARGARET E. TIBBITTS, resident on section 28, Denver Township, was born in De Kalb Co., Ind., March 9, 1845. Her parents, John and Mary (Warren) Milliman, were natives of New England. They lived in Cleveland, Ohio, several years, and afterward moved to Indiana. Margaret was educated in her native state, and remained at home until her marriage, Oct. 4, 1864, to James Brownlee. Just previous to this event Mr. Brownlee had been in the army. While there, he contracted the measles, which terminated in the quick consumption, from which terminated in the quick consumption, from which he died May 14, 1865, at Nashville, Tenn. He belonged to Co. A, 9th Ind. Inf. but was not in any battle, owing to disability.

Sept. 4, 1868, Mrs. Brownlee married Shepard Tibbitts, of Fremont, this county. He was a son of Arza and Adaline (Shattuck) Tibbitts, natives of Brown Co., Ont., where he was born, April 8, 1825. He came to this State i 1851, after having spent some time in Vermont and New York. Very soon after marriage they settled on a farm of 160 acres of timbered land in Denver Township. This land is now in a good state of cultivation, with a residence upon it, built at a cost of $1,500. Mr. Tibbitts died at his home March 3, 1882, leaving four children and a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. He had led an honest, active life and was highly respected by all who knew him. He was buried with Masonic honors. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbitts had six children: Jennie, born July 6, 1869; Willard, Nov. 12, 1871; Bertha A., March 28, 1876; John A., Oct. 17, 1877; Bertie, born Aug. 19, 1873, died Sept. 24, 1873; another child also died in infancy.

Mr. Tibbitts held various township offices. He had for some time been a member of the Masonic Order: was a strong advocate of the temperance cause, and in politics a Republican. Both himself and wife were charter members of the Grange.

Mrs. Tibbitts lost her sight in 1870 and since that time has been unable to recognize any one. A severe cold was the cause of this sad calamity.

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