**************************************************************************** File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project Copyright 2008, all rights reserved. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format without the written consent of the author at http://fulton.ilgenweb.net. **************************************************************************** Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890 **************************************************************************** The Biography of Cyrus LIBBY Pages 858-859, transcribed in full by Karen CRANE Goggin [Surnames: BOSWELL, HENDERSON, LIBBY, McBROOM, SHIELDS] CYRUS LIBBY is one of the oldest settlers of this county now living within its limits. He came here as early as 1834, and as a hard-working, shrewd pioneer farmer has aided in developing the agricultural resources of this section. He owns a desirable farm in Joshua Township and is in comfortable circumstances. Mr. Libby is a native of the State of Delaware. His birthplace was near Milford, in Sussex County. In 1820 he made his way from his native place to Ohio, making the long journey, which lay partly through a sparsely settled county and over mountains, all the way from Milford on foot, carrying all his worldly goods in a small bundle. Foot-sore and weary, he arrived in Ashland County, and looked about for work, found a situation on a farm. He continued to live in the Buckeye State until 1834, when he came to Illinois with his parents. He well remembers the terrible storm of 1835, which swept over Canton and left in its track nothing but desolation and ruin. He fortunately escaped uninjured. Until he was twenty-one years of age he remained at home, and then commenced life on his own responsibility. During the first year he worked for Robert Shields, earning $1.25 per week, and of this money he received only $40 in cash and the remainder in clothes. In 1844 he operated the McBroom farm on shares, and by wise economy and shrewd management, was enabled to invest money in land. Mr. Libby came to this county with the intention of remaining here because he shrewdly considered that the cheap land, rich soil, and other fine advantages of this part of the country would enable him sooner to become independent and acquire a competence. When he came here he was poor in pocket, but was well endowed with good capacity for labor and with other excellent traits of character that are necessary to success. In those days of pioneer toil he worked to a good purpose, and in 1853 was enabled to buy his present farm. He has placed himself in a position of comparative wealth and is one of the solid men of the township. He has here a neat and substantial dwelling, with pleasant surroundings, of which the most attractive feature is the giant cottonwood tree directly in front of the residence. In 1869 Mr. Libby formed the acquaintance of Mrs. Sarah (Boswell) Henderson, the widow of Daniel Henderson, and they being mutually pleased with each other, decided to unite their lives and were married that year. Mrs. Libby has two children by her first marriage, David and Elva Henderson, both married and residing in this county. For further information in regard to the parental history of Mrs. Libby see sketch of her father, on another page of this work. Her parents were natives respectively of Virginia and Ohio. She is a lady of refinement and culture, and one who stands high in the esteem of all who know her. To Mr. and Mrs. Libby four children have been born - Lucy, Ida, Mitchel and John, and to them the parents have given the advantages of good educations, and they are calculated in every way to fill prominent positions in social and business circles. They have a happy home and their pleasant circle has never been broken by death. Mr. Libby has been a life-long Democrat and cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren. He has long been known as an honorable, hard-working farmer, who possesses good qualities as a man and is loyal and true as a citizen.