CALHOUN COUNTY MICHIGAN
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Submitted to the Michigan Biographies Project by:
Bernie A. Schwindt
schwindt@ndsupernet.com
September 12, 2001
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As taken from the Biographical Review of Calhoun Co., Michigan, pages
448-450


REUBEN CALEB SIBLEY
Reuben C. Sibley, now deceased, was identified with industrial interest
of Albion as a contractor and builder, and as year after year he
continued his connection with business affairs here, he became known as
a man of sterling worth and upright principles.  His death, therefore,
was the occasion of sincere regret and he well deserves mention among
those to whom the city acknowledges its indebtedness for active
co-operation in affairs of moment to the community.  He was born in
Columbia county, New York, April 3, 1835, a son of William and Ruth
(Vincent)Sibley.  The father was a resident farmer of Columbia county
and both he and his wife were representatives of old American famileis.
Prior to 1850 he came to Marengo township, where he purchased new land
and made a home.  He afterward bought a farm in Clarence, which he also
improved, and there he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1863.
His wife survived him for some time and later lived with her son in
Clarence.  She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
   Reuben C. Sibley acquired his education in the schools of Columbia
county, (NY) and living in a frontier district he early began the aruous
task of assisting in the operation of the home farm.  His school
privileges, however, were largely augmented by his broad reading and he
became a well informed man.  At the age of fifteen years began earning
his own living in Coldwater, Michiggan, and he also sent a part of his
earnings to his parents, continuing to assist them as long as they
lived, and thus rendering them marked filial devotion.  After a time he
returned to Calhoun county and in Clarence township he enlisted for
service in the Civil War in 1861, becoming a member of Company I Sixth
Michigan Artillery. He was with Farragut at New Orleans under the
command of Benjamin F. Butler, and spent most of his time in the far
south.  On the expiration of his first term of three years he
re-enlisted in the same company and regiment and continued with the army
until the close of hostilities, four years havingpassed in military
service ere he received his discharge, owing to the cessation of the
war.  He was never in the hospital for a single day, fortunately
escaping wounds and illness.  He proved a most brave and loyal soldier
and belonged to that class to whom the country owes a debt of gratitude
which can never be repaid.
  After his return from the army Mr. Sibley continued to engage in
carpentering and upon the death of his father, in connection with his
brother, he purchased the old family homestead and cared for his mother
until after her demise.  Then disposing of his farming interests, he
removed to Albion, where he was engaged in contracting and building in
partnership with James Van Ness, under the firm name of Sibley & Van
Ness.  They did a large amount of work, building many of the fine
residences of the city and the extent and volume of their patraonage
make the prosperous representatives of the industrial life of Albion.
After his health failed, Mr. Sibley retired from active connection with
the building interests.
   On the 27th of December, 1866 occured the marriage of Mr. Sibley and
Miss Jane Adelaide Horton, of Clarence township, a daughter of John S.
and Paulina (Carrier) Horton.  The father was born in New Jersey and was
a son of Edward Horton, a soldier of the Revolutionary war.
Subsequently he removed to Cayuga county, New York, having a farm near
Weedsport, where John S. Horton was reared to manhood.  There he married
Miss Carrier a daughter of Amaziah Carrier, and began farming on his own
account, having a tract of land near Weedsport.  In 1833 he came with
his family to Michigan and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of
Calhoun county.  Subsequently he took up his abode in Clarence township
and it was upon that farm that Mrs. Sibley was born.  Later he sold the
property, however.  He was a quiet prominent and infuential in public
affairs and filled the office of justice of the peace and other public
positions.  He likewise made conveyances and conducted law suits,
although not an attorney.  His death occurred in Lee township, April 10,
1881, and his wife passed away September 30, 1876.  She was a member of
the Presbyterian church and at one time Mr. Horton was a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church and a lay preacher therin.  Mrs. Sibley was
born and reared in Calhoun county, spending her girlhood days under the
parental roof.  She now has a pleasant home at 714 NorthClinton Street.
   Mr. Sibley gave his political allegiance to the Republican party, and
while he never sought nor desired public office he was always deeply
interested in whatever pertained to his county, its development and
progress.  He died September 1, 1892, leaving behind the record of an
honorable career.  He was justly accorded a place among the prominent
and representative citizens of Calhoun county, for he belonged to that
class of men, whose enterprising spirit is used not alone for their own
benefit.  He advanced the general good and promoted public prosperity,
but he ably managed individual interest and all who knew him had the
highest admiration for his good qualitites of heart and mind.