FRANK B. TIBBITTS.

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 postoffice 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 postoffice 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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