I.D. Hibner

I.D. Hibner, or "Uncle Ike," as he was familiarly called by so many was born in Pennsylvania, June 28, 1840, where he lived until the family moved to Adams County, Ohio, when he was fourteen years of age. He was one of a family of eight children, only one of whom survive. This one is his brother. Mr. Joe Hibner, of Gardner.

I.D. Hibner was married to Roseline Allen, December 28, 1871. To this union two sons were born, one of whom died in infancy. They moved to Kansas in June, 1877, at which time they settled on a farm three and one half miles southeast of Gardner, where they lived until March), 1903, when they moved to Olathe.

Mr. Hibner was always active in every undertaking that was for the good of the people. It was he who first conceived the idea of the Patrons Fire and Tornado Insurance Association. He organized this association in 1889, and was secretary of the company for many years, and made it one of the greatest organizations in the state. He was a man of good business judgment, verv capable and conservative and mien from all stations in life sought his opinion in many cases. He was elected county commissioner, .November 3, 1889 and held that office for six years.

Mr. Hibner joined the Christian church during his younger days and was a member of this church until his death, being elder of the church at Gardner for several years. He was a director of the Patrons Cooperative Bank and served as secretary of the Johnson County Co-operative Association until about two years ago, when he was forced to retire from active business on account of ill health. The widow, who has been his faithful and devoted companion, one son, Ole, of Canton, O., his brother Joe, of Gardner, are left to mourn their loss. He died Tuesday afternoon, December 2, 1913, at two o'clock, after an illness of three years. The funeral was held at the Christian church Thursday afternoon, December 4th, at two o'clock. Rev. James H. Speer, who had been intimately acquainted with him for fifteen years made a journey of more than a day to preach the service. He said he considered it one of the greatest benedictions of his life that he was permitted to know Mr. Hibner. The services at the grave were conducted by the Masons to which order he had been a member for fifty years. Everyone who knew him will sadly miss I. D. Hibner.

The Olathe Independent
December 10, 1913
Page 2, Col 4