SHEBOYGAN HISTORY

C. L. Sibley, Page 477

C. L. SIBLEY, a prominent citizen of Waldo, now living a retired life, has made his home in Sheboygan County since the 10th of May, 1846.  The name of Sibley is well known throughout this community, for the members of the family have been actively identified with the public progress and advancement.  C. L. Sibley was born in Erie County, N. Y., August 1, 1832, and is the youngest of six children whose parents were Benjamin and Mary Ann (Preston) Sibley.  The father was born in Connecticut, November 1, 1788, and died May 16, 1851, at the age of sixty-two years, six months and sixteen days.  In his youth he learned the mechanic's trade, but after going to New York in 1815, became a carpenter and joiner.  He was married on the 24th of August, of that year, to Miss Preston, who was born in Connecticut, September 7, 1792, and died March 10, 1875, at the age of eighty-two and a-half years.  A colony of Sibleys settled in Erie county, N. Y., at the time when Buffalo was burned, erected a log cabin, and for a time all lived together.  In 1846 Benjamin Sibley came with his family to the West in the old side-wheel steamer, "Empire," landing in Sheboygan when Wisconsin was yet a territory.  He went to Sheboygan Falls, where for two years he engaged in the manufacture of fanning-mills, and then purchased eighty acres of raw land in Lyndon Township, upon which he built a log cabin that still stands--one of the landmarks of pioneer days.  There he spent the remainder of his life.  He and his wife were members of the Baptist Church and true Christian people.

    Of the Sibley family only three are now living:  Mary A., widow of W. H. Prentice, of Sheboygan Falls; Juliet, wife of John Gardner, of Waupaca, a stock-raiser; and C. L., of this sketch.

    Our subject was a lad of fourteen when he first saw Sheboygan County.  He has witnessed almost its entire development, having seen it transformed from a wilderness to one of the most beautiful and wealthy counties of the State.  At the time of his arrival, wild deer of all kinds abounded, and the red men were still numerous.  Mr. Sibley has in his possession a bible which belonged to his father, and which was printed in 1834.  He is largely self-educated, and through experience and observation has become a well-informed man.  At the age of seventeen, be began life for himself in Lyndon Township, and after purchasing one-half of the old homestead, he operated the farm for some time.

    Mr. Sibley was married July 4, 1855, to Miss Martha Monroe.  Her parents were Spencer and Lucy (Kent) Monroe.  Her father was born in Chittenden County, Vt., in 1809, and her mother was born in the Green Mountain State, October 26, 1813.  In the common schools, the father was educated, and in 1846 emigrated to the Territory of Wisconsin, for it was two years before the State was admitted to the Union.  He located first in Sheboygan Falls, and in 1857 went to Waushara County, where he purchased land, there residing until the death of his wife, October 16, 1874.  He then went to live with his sons in Chippewa County, where he death occurred October 25, 1888.  The Monroe family numbered four sons and two daughters, all of whom are still living.

    Mrs. Sibley was born November 14, 1834, and was a maiden of twelve summers when she came to Sheboygan County.  She was educated in a private school of Sheboygan Falls, and for four years engaged in teaching.  Six children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Sibley, two sons and four daughters, of whom four are now living.  Charles M. whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; May B., wife of J. J. Angus, of Greenbush, a native of Massachusetts, and a manufacturer of cheese by whom she has two sons, Donald, aged six, and Francis, aged four years; Grace, wife of Albert Eckhardt, Teller in the German Bank of Sheboygan; and Frank, who is a student in the Waldo High School.  Katie and another are deceased.

    For twenty years, Mr. Sibley was engaged as a dealer in lumber and lime in Waldo, and was very successful in his undertakings.  He is now living a retired life, and has a comfortable home in this place, besides some real estate in Chippewa County, Wis.  In politics, he was formerly a stanch Republican, but, on account of his views on the temperance question, he now votes with the Prohibition party.  He cast his first Presidential ballot for Gen Scott.  He has always been interested in education, and was instrumental in securing the fine site upon which the elegant new High School building now stands.  He has acted as Clerk for two years, and for the same length of time was Treasurer of the school district.  He has led an honorable, upright life, and the high regard in which he is held is well deserved.