Oliver P. Hibbs, a prosperous farmer and stock-raiser of Nineveh Township, was born March 3, 1833, a son of Jeremiah and Hannah (Burgett) Hibbs. The father was a native of Kentucky, born in 1800, of Scotch-Irish descent, and the mother of Ohio, of German descent, born January 28, 1802. She came to Indiana with her first husband, Thomas Griffith, about 1825, and about twenty-two months later, her husband died. April 17, 1830, she was united in marriage with Jeremiah Hibbs, who departed this life about 1849. Our subject was reared on a farm in Nineveh Township. He received a common school education, and began the battle of life for himself at the age of twenty-one years, as a farmer, which occupation he has continued through life. December 29, 1856, he was united in marriage with Clara Botsford, a daughter of George and Louisa (Parmerlee) Botsford. The father and mother were natives of Connecticut. The father was born about 1806, and died in 1857; and the mother was born in 1810, and died in 1885. This union was blessed with the following children: Edith, born September 14, 1861; Lina, December 4, 1863; Nettie, November 13, 1865; Mary, September 22, 1867, deceased; George, February 11, 1870, and Laura, December 4, 1879. The mother of these children was born March 31, 1837. He was a Granger during the continuance of that order. In politics, he was formerly a democrat, but since the organization of the union labor party, he has been identified with that party. He now owns a fine farm of 160 acres, in Nineveh Township. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 750.