When L. R. Van Bibber, 1404 Walnut Street, stepped down from the cab of a Union Pacific diesel engine on an eastbound Union Pacific freight train in the yards here yesterday morning he concluded 45 years of service with railroads.

His first railroad service was as a fireman with the Norfolk and Western railroad on a run between Roanoke, Va., and Crewe, Va. in 1917.

Cut off service a year later, he became employed in 1919 as fireman with the Chicago, Burlington Quincy on the run between St. Joseph, Mo., and Lincoln, Neb.

Leaving the Burlington railroad, in November 1921 he sought employment with the St. Joseph and Grande Island railroad (now the Union Pacific) also in the role of fireman. Until his retirement yesterday he has been with the same line ever since.

In 1929 he was promoted from fireman to engineer and saw many of his years of service with steam locomotives as well as diesels.

On his first pay run Van Bibber experienced his only train wreck during all his years of service. He was firing a Norfolk and Western mallet, a large locomotive on that line, and the train was moving downgrade on the east side of the Blue Ridge mountains. Suddenly a wheel broke on the trucks on the second car behind the engine. Forty-eight cars piled up, but nobody was hurt. The train was loaded with beef, and other materials enroute to France for allied help in World War I.

After he became engineer on the St. Joseph and Grande Island, Van Bibber recalls a narrow escape he, and James Cromer, fireman, had when the cowcatcher sheared of the rear end of a loaded gasoline truck in Hawatha. "I had the engine shut down, and no gasoline fumes were sucked into the firebox, otherwise, I believe we would have had a terrible explosion or fire," he said.

Van Bibber recalled a near tragedy which occurred about four months ago to his train on the west end of the line between Marysville and Hastings, Neb. He said all his 7,000 ton freight train was loaded with four diesel units, and consisted of 123 cars. As the train rounded the Davenport hill on the track ahead Van Bibber saw a large caterpillar tractor moving across the tracks. The tractor cleared the track, but the driver did not have time to remove the creosote bridge planks he has used "to bridge" the rails.

"We hit the planks. They slid long the track since they were slick, and the trucks sawed them in two. They dropped on the ties. That was a close one," Van Bibber recalled.

A native of Leona, the retiring railroad man went into railroading through influence his brother, C. E. Van Bibber who was employed with the Bayside Industrial Works, Bay City, Michigan. C. E. Van Bibber was sent to the Norfolk and Western railroad company to demonstrate a pile driver which the Bayside company manufactured. He informed his brother, L. R. of the good wages he could make railroading.

"So I headed for Virginia," Van Bibber said.

While in employment of the railroad Van Bibber was division secretary of the Locomotive Engineers of local No. 224 for 10 years. He also was state representative for all Kansas railroad engineers from 1951 until 1960. He made many trips to Cleveland, Ohio, and Washington, D.C. At the latter place he became personally acquainted with many senators and congressmen.

Many changes have come with railroading since he began, Mr. Van Bibber said. He recalled how he once worked straight through for 32 hours on the run from Crewe to Roanoke. Wage hour laws have discontinued such practice he said.

Through the years he has pulled the throttle on various sizes steam locomotives from the small class as that in the city park here to the Union Pacific's 9000's, 300's and 3900's.

Having had experience for several years with diesels, he opines. They took a lot out of railroading when they did away with steam.

Within a few days the retiring railroad engineer and his wife will be leaving for a vacation trip to Colorado.

"We will also do other traveling, and fishing, but one thing for sure, Marysville is going to remain our home," he said.

Submitted by Earl Quintrell -- Winchester, Tennessee

1. Aaron2 Haney (Moses1) was born April 30, 1830 in Greenup Co., KY, and died November 10, 1910 in VanBuren Co., IA. He married Melissa J. Claypool May 20, 1856, daughter of Jesse Claypool and Matilda Stringfield. She was born August 06, 1841 in VanBuren Co., IA, and died June 13, 1911 in VanBuren Co., IA.

Children of Aaron Haney and Melissa Claypool are:

Mr. Finkbeiner was born near the Rhine in Germany, June 9, 1845, the son of Frederick and Mary A. (Audee) Finkbeiner. He married at Perrysburg, January 1, 1867, Martha A. Belleville, born at Perrysburg, November 8, 1847, the daughter of John and Margaret (Perrin) Belleville. Their children were born: Frederick John, November 5, 1867; William Arthur, September 13, 1869; Helen Gertrude, May 20, 1872; and Jessie Bell, November 22, 1883.

Mr. Finkbeiner holds the office of postmaster at Perrysburg, Ohio and is also a dealer in fancy goods.

Wood County's Role in the Civil War, Volume 1 -- 1997 -- Compiled and published by Wood County Chapter of The Ohio Genealogical Society.

Charles was born in Chester Township, Jan. 11, 1882, the son of George and Olive Ridenour Woode. He married Audrey Van Bibber, born Nov. 30, 1891 near Snowville, Ohio, daughter of Ulysess and Anna Haning Van Bibber. They met at the Meigs County Infirmary, located on the Harrisonville road, where Dad was employed as a farm hand and Mom was housekeeper for the superintendent and his family.

They were married Sept. 28, 1911 and spent some 30 years on a farm near Chester. Dad worked at the TNT plant during World War II. In Aug. 1944 they moved to Chester and after the war he was custodian at Chester High School from 1947 thru 1955. Later he worked as a painter and worked for man people in and around Pomeroy and Middleport. He passed away Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1974 at home. Mom came to live with us in 1977 and passed away August 13, 1978.

Meigs Co., Ohio -- Vol. II -- 1987 -- The Meigs County Pioneer and Historical Society -- Page #355.

VANBIBBER, Ezekial: Inventory filed Will Book 5, Page 224; dated Mary 5, 1859; filed Sept. 5, 1859; Adm'r., Elijah Rice; value $63.32; 1 clock, 1 looking glass, 1 meal sifter, 2 beadsteads, 1 feather bed and bed covers, 2 quilts, 1 rifle gun, 1 pocket knife, 1 safe, 1 Bible, 6 split bottom chairs, 1 red cow, 1 spring balance, 1 lot kitchen furniture; signed by Comm., A.R. Maddox, James T. Patterson, James Stewart, Noah Payne; Sale Bill filed Sept. 5, 1859; sold for $84.64 on May 14, 1859 at Pennsylvania Furnace; purchasers were Frank May, Henry Walker, James Patterson, G.W. Rice, William Morrison, Libern Estep, Harvey Church, H. Walker, Elijah Rice, L. Anderson, John Anderson; Adm'r Settlement dated Aug. 16, 1861 (filed Oct. 7 1861) states "widow of decendant now wife of Keaton claims nothing from said estate as shown by her agreement herewith filed. She shows by said agreement that she and decendent separated by mutual consent and that she received a portion of his estate or property and that she has no further claims against estate"; refers to heirs but does not name them; Adm'r. Final Settlement dated Aug. 12, 1867 (filed Dec. 1867) sets heirs out as being (1) Hester Ann Van Bibber (2) Elizabeth Nethercutt (3) Sarah Van Bibber (4) Harding Van Bibber (5) David Van Bibber (6) Rebecca Smith (7) Mary Crawford (8) Susan Van Bibber; all heirs are of age except Susan.

Note: Ezekial VanBibber md. Susan Rice Dec. 20, 1833 (consent of Jacob VanBibber, father of Ezekial, and consent of Elijah Rice, father of Susan); Elizabeth VanBibber (d/o Ezekial) md. William Nethercutt Jan. 28, 1854.

Greenup County, Kentucky Will Abstracts 1822 - 1860, by Particia Porter Phillips, Pages #231 & 232.

1. Ezekial7 VanBibber (Jacob6, Peter5, Peter4, Isaac Jacobs3, Jacob Isaacs2, Isaac1) was born 1814 in KY, and died September 01, 1856 in KY. He married Susan Rice December 20, 1833 in Greenup Co., KY, daughter of Elijah Rice. She was born in KY. Susan married (2) David J. Keaton on July 21, 1859 in Lawrence Co., OH.

Children of Ezekial VanBibber and Susan Rice are:

STATE OF MISSOURI, COUNTY OF DEKALB, IN THE PROBATE COURT OF SAID COUNTY.

In the Matter of the Estate of James M. Shepherd, Deceased, Martha J. Wagers says that to the best of her knowledge and belief, the said James M. Shepherd died in Admire, Kansas without a will, on or about the 25^th day of August, 1940; that she will make a perfect inventory of, and faithfully administer all the estate of the deceased, and pay the debts as far as the assets will extend and the law direct, and account for and pay all assets which shall come in her possession and knowledge. Affiant further says that the names of the heirs of the said James M. Shepherd deceased and their places of residence are respectively as follows:

No (Widow), (Widower);
Mary Totten, a daughter, who resides in the City of Livingston, in the State of Montana;
Martha J. Wagers, a daughter, who resides in the County of Buchanan, in the State of Missouri;
Nellie F. Fee, a daughter, who resides in the City of Admire, in the State of Kansas;
Frank Shepherd, a son, who resides in the City of Miller, in the State of Kansas;
Pearl Gutsch, a daughter, who resides in the City of Emporia, in the State of Kansas;
Claud Shepherd, a son, who resides in the City of Admire, in the State of Kansas;
Donald L. Shepherd, a grandson, who resided in the City of Admire, in the State of Kansas; The said Donald L. Shepherd is the son of James R. Shepherd a deceased son of said James M. Shepherd.

Subscribed and sworn to before me, this 6^th day of September A.D. 1940

Martha J. Wagers -- Administratrix
D. C. Campbell -- Judge of Probate
Probate Court of Dekalb County, Missouri -- September 6, 1940

Last Name: Burge
First Name: Margaret
Middle:
Birth Date: February 19, 1876
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last: Taylor
Sex: F
Birth Place: Mississippi
Death Place: Los Angeles County
Death Date: March 23, 1943
Age: 67 years

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   Peter VanBebber and Ellinor VanBibber
      Jacob VanBebber and Catherine Ann Guthrie
         Calvin VanBebber and Barthena A. VanBebber
            William Franklin VanBebber and Eliza Ellen Ramsey
                Bertha Elizabeth VanBebber and George Washington Cleveland
                   Walter George Cleveland

Last Name: Cleveland
First Name: Walter
Middle: George
Birth Date: January 3, 1931
other Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last:
Sex: M
Birth Place: California
Death Place: San Joaquin County
Death Date: February 7, 1992
Age: 61 years

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   John VanBebber and Margaret Chrisman
      William VanBebber and Elizabeth Barbee
          James Henry VanBebber and Elizabeth Jane Baker
             Lidia A. VanBebber and Eppa Holder
                Delcia Diane Holder and __________ Coffman

Last Name: Coffman
First Name: Delcia
Middle: Diane
Birth Date: July 22, 1899
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last: Holder
Sex: M
Birth Place: Missouri
Death Place: Los Angeles County
Death Date: September 30, 1992
Age: 93 years

Last Name: Hayes
First Name: Betty
Middle: Joann
Birth Date: July 19, 1934
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last: Clark
Sex: F
Birth Place: Oklahoma
Death Place: Tulare County
Death Date: November 7, 1986
Age: 52 years

--------------------

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   John VanBebber and Margaret Chrisman
      Peter VanBebber and Martha Hunt
         John Gabriel VanBebber and Mary Stinnett
            John C. VanBebber and Mary Catherine Hannah
              Cora Agusta VanBebber and John Ombra Joiner
                 George Floyd Joiner

Last Name: Joiner
First Name: George
Middle: Floyd
Birth Date: August 18. 1906
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last:
Sex: M
Birth Place: Missouri
Death Place: Merced County
Death Date: February 6, 1983
Age: 76 years

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   Peter VanBebber and Ellinor VanBibber
      Jacob VanBebber and Catherine Ann Guthrie
         Calvin VanBebber and Barthena A. VanBebber
            William Franklin VanBebber and Eliza Ellen Ramsey
                Charles Elliott VanBebber and Nina Rennison Taylor
                    Dora Ellen VanBebber and William Joseph Louwaert
                       Peter Michael Louwaert and Donna Cora Diane Dilena

Last Name: Louwaert
First Name: Peter
Middle: Michael
Birth Date: November 16, 1942
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last:
Sex: M
Birth Place: California
Death Place: Sonoma County
Death Date: April 23, 1981
Age: 38 years

--------------------

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   John VanBebber and Margaret Chrisman
      Gabriel VanBebber and Barbara Carlock
          Alexander VanBebber and Lousia Lee
             Sarah Jane VanBebber and Joseph Lucas
                Walter Scott Lucas and Nelle Beatrice Scott

Last Name: Lucas
First Name: Walter
Middle: Scott
Birth Date: May 15, 1873
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last: Lucas
Sex: M
Birth Place: Kansas
Death Place: Los Angeles County
Death Date: December 25, 1943
Age: 70 years

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
James VanBebber, Sr. and Hannah Hoover
James VanBebber, Jr. and Nancy Ann Ferrill
James Henry VanBebber and Martha Jane Hicks
Sarah Lee VanBebber and Henry Oscar Magee
Helen Lee Magee and Charles Ortez
Last Name: Ortez
First Name: Helen
Middle: L.
Birth Date: October 22, 1910
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last: Magee
Sex: F
Birth Place: Illinois
Death Place: Los Angeles County
Death Date: March 21, 1992
Age: 81 years

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   Peter VanBebber and Ellinor VanBibber
      Jacob VanBebber and Catherine Ann Guthrie
         Calvin VanBebber and Barthena A. VanBebber
            William Franklin VanBebber and Eliza Ellen Ramsey
                Annie Kitty VanBebber and Zenon Talbot
                   Beverly Ann Talbot and ________ Pehrson

Last Name: Pehrson
First Name: Beverly
Middle: Ann
Birth Date: July 31, 1924
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last: Talbot
Sex: F
Birth Place: California
Death Place: Shasta County
Death Date: April 15, 1996
Age: 71 years

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
Peter VanBebber and Ellinor VanBibber
Jacob VanBebber and Catherine Ann Guthrie
Calvin VanBebber and Barthena A. VanBebber
William Franklin VanBebber and Eliza Ellen Ramsey
Nellie Rose VanBebber and Harold Hiram Snow
Harold Clark Snow

Last Name: Snow
First Name: Harold
Middle: Clark
Birth Date: May 15, 1923
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last:
Sex: M
Birth Place: California
Death Place: Shasta County
Death Date: August 5, 1984
Age: 61 years

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
Peter VanBebber and Ellinor VanBibber
Jacob VanBebber and Catherine Ann Guthrie
Calvin VanBebber and Barthena A. VanBebber
William Franklin VanBebber and Eliza Ellen Ramsey
Elizabeth Jane VanBebber and Thomas Henry Wallace
Annie Bertha Wallace and Henry Elbert Stephens

Last Name: Stephens
First Name: Annie
Middle: Bertha
Birth Date: November 5, 1878
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last: Wallace
Sex: F
Birth Place: Missouri
Death Place: Butte County
Death Date: February 23, 1955
Age: 76 years

Last Name: Sweazy
First Name: William
Middle: Bruce
Birth Date: November 29, 1960
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last:
Sex: M
Birth Place: California
Death Place: Mendocino County
Death Date: May 26, 1994
Age: 33 years

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
Peter VanBebber and Ellinor VanBibber
Jacob VanBebber and Catherine Ann Guthrie
Calvin VanBebber and Barthena A. VanBebber
Jacob VanBebber

Last Name: VanBebber
First Name: Jacob
Middle:
Birth Date: April 4, 1868
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last: VanBebber
Sex: M
Birth Place: Missouri
Death Place: Mendocino
Death Date: August 29, 1952
Age: 84 years

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   Peter VanBebber and Ellinor VanBibber
      Jacob VanBebber and Catherine Ann Guthrie
         Calvin VanBebber and Barthena A. VanBebber
            William Franklin VanBebber and Eliza Ellen Ramsey
                Elizabeth Jane VanBebber and Thomas Henry Wallace
                   John Wesley Wallace and Cora Belle Reed

Last Name: Wallace
First Name: John
Middle: Wesley
Birth Date: October 15, 1881
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last: Wallace
Sex: M
Birth Place: California
Death Place: Santa Clara
Death Date: December 26, 1953
Age: 72 years

--------------------

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   James VanBebber, Sr. and Hannah Hoover
      George VanBebber and Sally VanBebber
          James Moss VanBebber and China Minerva Yoakum
             George Washington VanBebber and Mary Martha VanBebber
                 Mary Minerva VanBebber and Rutherford B. Hayes Williams
                    James Blaine Williams

Last Name: Williams
First Name: James
Middle: B.
Birth Date: September 10, 1901
Mother Maiden: VanBebber
Father Last:
Sex: M
Birth Place: Tennessee
Death Place: San Diego
Death Date: October 2, 1981
Age: 81 years

The second of the twelve children born to Moses and Nancy (Van Bibber) Haney, was born near Louisville, Ky., April the 30th, 1830, and passed away from the scenes of earth at the home of his son-in-law, Mr. Charles McGaffey, November 18, 1910, having survived the long lapse of 80 years, 6 months and 13 days.

When but a child, nine years old, his parents moved to Arlington, Ohio. Here the happy days of youth were spent and in the full vigor of young manhood Mr. Haney accompanied his father, who brought his family to the pioneer land of Van Buren county and lived with him near Troy, Iowa.

Young Haney had learned the art of brick moulding and when he began life's voyage for himself, his attention was drawn to the young and prosperous town of Keosauqua. To this place he came fifty-five years ago and the intervening years have been spent between this city and Pittsburg, as his home.

Following his duties at Keosauqua our friend met and loved Miss Melissa Claypool she reciprocated his affection and became his bride, at her home, May 20th., 1856. Five gifted daughters and five stalwart sons graced their home. All of them reaching maturity and all save one, Mrs. Carrie Brown, remain to experience the sorrow of the father's going and to comfort the heart of the mourning mother, who in her loneliness weeps uncomplainingly, realizing as she expressed to this writer of this sketch, that the separation will not be long. They are Mesdames Mary Pilote and Ollie McGaffey, of Pittsburg; Jessie McGaffey, Keosauqua; Maggie Cormack, Centerville and William, Cantril; Frank, Washington; Charles, Keosauqua; George, Milton and Oscar, Pittsburg.

Brother Haney was a very religious character. Early in life he gave himself to God and joined the Baptist church.

On coming to this locality and finding no church of his choice, his devotion to the Master's work, forced him to ally himself with some body of Christians and he joined the Methodist Episcopal church in Pittsburg, Iowa, to which communion, both he and his devoted wife were most true, so much so, that for years the worshiping throng might know that there was something out of the usual occurring at the Haney home did not the church bell attract them to their accustomed places.

In youth and middle age the subject of this sketch was a powerful man, a hard worker, an honest citizen, an obliging neighbor, a true parent and a devoted husband. As age crept on his devotion seemed to grow. The affliction of his wife endeared her to him. He was never too tired or ill to think of some kindness and extend some service which only love and patience could invent.

About a week before the end Mr. Haney had been feeling quite poorly but had revived and on the day of his death had been exceptionally well. He ate his meals regularly was very cheerful and enjoyed his usual pleasures with more than accustomed relish. He retired early and about 10 o'clock called for some attention. At that time the approach of the end was discovered and before the family were fully aroused to his need, or a physician could be called, his spirit had winged its way to where the angels sing and traversed the bourne whence no traveler returns.

Besides the loved ones mentioned Brother Haney leaves many other relatives and a host of friends who mourn his departure. For the suffering ones I hereby extend their thanks to those who have assisted them in this sad hour and given solace by their sympathy and prayers.

The funeral service was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles McGaffey. A short memorial service at the Pittsburg Methodist Episcopal church and the remains were placed to rest in the Pittsburg cemetery, Nov. 15th, 1910.

C. A. Field, Officiating Minister

Stateline Democrat -- Keosauqua, Iowa -- November 24, 1910

Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
   Jacob VanBibber and Sarah Miller
      Soloman H. VanBibber and Mary Jane Bryson
         William VanBibber and Frances Ann Thoroughman
             Susan Jane VanBibber and Samuel Isaac Stonebarger
                 John Filmore Stonebarger and Lena L. Ruhr
                    Melba Stonebarger and Donald B. Mennemeier

Donald B. (Don) Mennemeier, Moscow Mills, MO, 76 died Thursday, July 25, 2002 at his home. Born July 21, 1926 in Flint Hill, MO. He was the son of Leo and Leona Burkemper Mennemeier. On September 9, 1950, he married Melba Stonebarger in Flint Hill.

Survivors include his wife of the home, two sons and their wives, Randy and Rosalie Mennemeier, Moscow Mills and Danny and Suzanne Mennemeier, Old Monroe; three daughters, Linda and Steve Schulze, Warrenton, Janet and Tom Hurley, of Troy; and Lisa Mennemeier and partner, Nancy Bartz of St. Louis.

Two brothers, Vernon and Mary Mennemeier of Troy; Leo "Jr" and Joan Mennemeier of Wentzville and one sister, Lavern and Tony Orf of Wentzville. Six grandchildren.

Preceded in death by one brother, Melvin Mennemeier.

Burial was in the Sacred Heart Church in Troy, MO.

and a lifetime begins this day

when the two of us

and

Kenneth R. Wymore

begin our new life together

on Saturday, the fifth of October

Two thousand and two

at four o'clock in the afternoon

Northside Christian Church

5114 Old Pike Road

Kansas City, Missouri

John VanBibber and Chloe Staniford
   James VanBibber and Lois Reynolds
      Cyrus VanBibber, Sr. and Mary S. Rachel Timberlake
          Sidney VanBibber and Millicent Joanna Raper

Dayton National Cemetery

Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio

Van Bibber, Sidney, d. 02/10/1916, Infantry, CPL, Res: Cincinnati, OH, Plot: 1 14 28, bur. 02/10/1916

Thank you,