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Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record - Published 1894 by Excelsior Publishing Co., Chicago" Pages 572 - 573
Charles M. Sibley, who is numbered among the native sons of Sheboygan County, and is a worthy representative of an
honored pioneer family, was born July 18, 1856, in Lyndon Township, and there still makes his home. His father, Clark
L. Sibley, whose biography appears in this book, was bora near Buffalo, N. Y., August 1, 1832, and is still residing
in this county. He is a carpenter and joiner by trade, and for twenty years of his life he has been a lumberman. In
1848, when a lad of sixteen, he turned his face toward the setting sun, and journeyed westward until he reached
Wisconsin, which was that year admitted to the Union. The Indians were still numerous in the neighborhood, and their
settlement was only seven miles from our subject's home. The old Madison Indian trail passed the Sibley doorway, and
the family was very well acquainted with old Chief Solomon. The father first purchased eighty acres of Government
land at $1.25 per acre, and upon this tract not a furrow had been turned or an improvement made. Mr. Sibley built a
log cabin, part of which still stands on the old homestead. After farming for a time, he embarked in the lumber
business in Waldo. In politics, he has been a stalwart supporter of the Republican party since casting his first
Presidential vote for Gen. John C. Fremont. He married Martha Monroe, who was born in Vermont in 1834, and is still
living in Waldo. She was educated in Sheboygan Falls, and for a number of years successfully engaged in teaching.
The Sibley family numbered four children, of whom Charles M. is the eldest; Maine-is the wife of John Angus, who is
engaged in the manufacture of cheese in Greenbush; Grace is the wife of Albert Eckhardt, who is paying teller in the
German Bank of Sheboygan; and Frank is a young lady, now a student in the High School of Waldo.
Mr. Sibley whose name heads this record was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads, and acquired his education in
the district schools of the neighborhood. One of the first schoolhouses in which he conned his lessons is now used
as a barn. Entering upon his business career, he was long connected with the lumber interests of Waldo, but about
six years ago removed to his farm, and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits. He now owns ninety-seven
acres of valuable land, pleasantly located within six miles of Plymouth. A part of it has been operated for thirty
years, and was one of the first improved tracts in this county, but much of it has been placed under cultivation by
the owner.
On the 23d of November, 1887, Mr. Sibley wedded Meliza Shaw, who was born on what was called the "Indian Lot," in
Sherman Township, February 28, 1858, and is a daughter of Albert and Olive (Colwell) Shaw. Her parents are both now
deceased. Mrs. Sibley has been to her husband a faithful helpmate, and they are both highly respected citizens of
this community. He has affiliated with the Republican party since proudly casting his first Presidential vote for
Gen. Garfield. For one year he served as Township Treasurer, but has never been a politician in the sense of
office-seeking. His life has been well and worthily spent, and his native county may well be proud of her son.
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