J.H. Libben, an industrious and frugal German, came to America in 1874. After farming in Iowa two years, Mr. Libben came to Lyon township, where he homesteaded one hundred and sixty acres, and he is now one of the most prosperous farmers and stockmen of that community. He has purchased adjacent lands until he owns seven hundred and fifty acres in Lyon township and one hundred and thirty-five in Solomon township, most of which is wheat and pasture land. He keeps a herd of about seventy-five head of native cattle, and seldom has less than one hundred head of hogs. The first two years on the homestead were spent in a dugout which then gave place to a new frame dwelling that has been enlarged and is now a comfortable and commodious country residence. In 1901, true to the German characteristic, he erected an excellent barn.

Mr. Libben was born in 1839, in Ostfriesland, Germany. He is one of four children, and the only one in America. His parents both died in Germany Mr. Libben was married in 1881 to Anna Doretha Horn, a daughter of Fred Horn, who died in 1889. Her mother is a resident of Cloud county and lives on a farm near Fisher creek. To Mr. and Mrs. Libben five children have been born, four of whom are living, viz: Frederick, a student of the German Conforming School at Glasco, under the tutorage of the Lutheran minister of that town: Annie, deceased: Henry, a student of the district school attending the Conforming school on Saturdays; Etta, aged six, and Theodore, an infant.

Mr. Libben is a Republican in his political affiliations and the family are members of the Lutheran church.