Biographical Sketch of

John Jacob Shibeley

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 758 - 759 


John Jacob Shibeley, of Montello, is one of the most widely known citizens of Marquette County.  He was born in 
the town of Canajoharie, Montgomery Co., N. Y., March 31, 1816, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Schuyler) 
Shibeley.  Mr. Shibeley was a native of Switzerland, and came with his parents to America when a lad, the family 
emigrating to America immediately after the invasion of Switzerland by the French Army under Napoleon.  They 
settled in Montgomery County, N. Y., which was for a number of years the family home.  The mother of our subject 
is a lineal descendant of the Schuyler family so prominently identified with the early history of New York.
 
The parents of John were married in the Empire State, where they continued to make their home until called from 
this life.  Their last days were spent in Orleans County.  The death of the father occurred at the age of ninety-four 
years, and the mother was called home at the age of eighty-eight years.  Their family numbered four sons and three 
daughters, and of that number five are yet living, two sons and three daughters.  The eldest surviving member of 
the family is Peter, who was born June 15, 1814, and is now a resident of Bloomfield, N. J.; John Jacob is the next 
younger; the daughters of the family are Ann Maria, Eliza and Margaret.  Among those who have passed away is Benjamin, 
who died in Cleveland, Ohio, a number years ago.  Henry Norman enlisted in a New York Regiment.  His fate remains 
enshrouded in mystery, but it is supposed that he was killed in battle or died in a Confederate prison.
 
The days of his boyhood and youth our subject spent in his native State, and in his earlier years learned the trade 
of a miller with the intention of following that occupation for a livelihood, but it so affected his health that he 
had to abandon it and turned his attention to carpentering and coopering, which he followed conjointly many years.  
He was married in 1837 to Miss Mary E. Lambert, a native of Montgomery County, N. Y., and a daughter of Peter Lambert.  
They continued to reside in the Empire State until the summer of 1856, when Mr. Shibeley came from Seneca County, N. Y. 
to Wisconsin to seek a location.  He first stopped in Montello, and being pleased with the county and its prospects, 
located 240 acres of land in the town of Harris, Marquette County.  Having made some preparation for a home, he then 
returned for his family, and with them settled permanently in this county in the spring of 1857.  He did not remain on 
the farm long, however, but in 1858, became a resident of Montello, which has now been his home for almost a third of 
a century.
 
Resuming work at his trade, Mr. Shibeley, being an expert workman, soon secured a liberal patronage, and by his industry 
and unceasing effort has become one of the substantial citizens of the community.  Though his life has been a busy one, 
he has yet found time to devote to the interests of the public and has served his fellow townsmen in various official 
positions.  He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1858, which office he held until 1864.  In 1862, he was appointed 
Deputy sheriff, the duties of which position he discharged two years, after which he was elected Sheriff of Marquette 
County.  During the War of the Rebellion, he filled the position of enrolling officer for the towns of Montello, Mecan 
and Neshkoro, and in the fall of 1863, was appointed Deputy United States Marshal, a position he held until the close 
of the war.  He also held a recruiting commission during the whole period of the war, enlisting not less than two full 
companies.  On the expiration of his term of service as Sheriff, he was re-elected Justice of the Peace, and has held 
that office almost continuously since.
 
Mr. and Mrs. Shibeley have three children, two sons and a daughter: Charles, the eldest, is living in Dayton, Ohio; Frank 
resides in San Francisco, where he owns a floral store; and the daughter, Mrs. Emma Lee, resides in Montello.  The following 
children are deceased, namely:  Daniel, Jacob Henry, Elizabeth, Margaret, Ellen and Amelia.
 
Mr. Shibeley has met with many reverses in life, but in all emergencies that have involved financial considerations, he 
has never allowed his friends to suffer on his account, but has borne the sacrifice alone.  During his long residence in 
Marquette County, he has ever borne a high reputation for honesty and integrity, and is numbered among the esteemed and 
valued citizens of Montello and Marquette County.
  





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