Over 80 feet above the rushing waters at Kanawha Falls, a large boulder overhangs the rapids below. The Indians christened the boulder War kun-gee-tah, which meant simply "the far away look out." But since shortly after the arrival of the white man to the area, it has been known locally as VanBibber's Rock. The boulder takes its name from the part it played in a tale of a daring escape from the Indians.

The legend of VanBibber's Rock has remained basically unchanged even through over 200 years of retelling. The only main difference between various versions of the tale is the man's first name. Some versions claim the hero was named John VanBibber, while others refer to him as Reuben VanBibber.

Historical records show that the VanBibber family was much more than a legend, three of the VanBibber brothers, John, Isaac, and Peter are shown as participants in the battle of Point Pleasant. The list also includes two other VanBibbers named Jacob and Mattahias.

Reportedly, John VanBibber and his brothers Peter, along with Reverend John Anderson, and a man named Arbuckle, came to the Kanawha Valley as a surveying party in 1773. While there, they camped at the foot of the boulder which would one day bear the VanBibber name. John VanBibber chiseled his initials upon the rock. If he was indeed the subject of the legend rock. It seems almost prophetic that he should so early mark it with his name.

Sometime following the Battle of Point Pleasant, VanBibber built a home for himself and his wife and two children opposite the rock which projects out over the river. Perhaps he fell in love with the area during that earlier surveying trip. Even today, the mountains and rivers of West Virginia have a way of capturing the hearts of visitors and turning them into residents. Imagine how the area must have looked in all its untouched glory of the 1770's.

The VanBibber family was soon joined by a few other settlers and a small village grew up. Following the battle of Point Pleasant in 1774, there was little Indian activity in the area, although passing hunting parties were often spotted. But in 1777, the series of Indian raids became so frequent that it was nicknamed the 'terrible years of the three sevens.'

The VanBibbers settled in the valley during the short period of peace before the new county was thrust into its war for independence. One day while out exploring the area surrounding his new home, VanBibber discovered a small bear cub which was apparently orphaned. He took the cub home with him and the family adopted it as a pet.

The bear cub was named 'Brownie' and became a great favorite of both the VanBibber family and the surrounding community. Even after reaching maturity, the bear remained tame enough to be allowed to wander the area unmuzzled or restrained. VanBibber was very attached to the animal and taught him tricks which attracted visitors to his home to visit and watch the antics of the tame bear. Brownie had a long list of accomplishments to entertain his audiences. He could chew tobacco, turn somersaults, and would even waltz with VanBibber, if the tune suited his taste.

Brownie became so tame that the family soon considered him as ordinary a pet as a family dog. He was a gentle creature, who patiently ignored the sometimes rough attentions of the VanBibber children. They would often ride upon his broad, strong back by twisting their fingers into his long shaggy hair. The women of the camp fed his scraps from the table, and convinced the men to construct him a shed cover near the cabin door. He proved to be a more than adequate substitute for a watchdog. His growl would not only immediately warn his master of a passing Indian or stranger but would often be enough on its own to scare the trespasser away. Although the wilderness which was his natural home, surrounded the camp, Brownie showed no inclination to return to it. He was content with his adopted family, the VanBibbers.

The event which would elevate Brownie from an unusual pet to the subject of legend began very simply. One early spring morning, VanBibber decided to go hunting in the forest across the river from his home. The river was high, so rather than battle the rapids in front of his cabin, he walked downstream a short distance and borrowed a canoe from his neighbor, Mr. Radcliff.

VanBibber was equipped as most typical hunters of the day would have been. On his head sat a squirrel-skin hunting cap, and for a weapon he carried a flintlock rifle. He was proceeding quietly through the forests searching for deer, when he came upon a war party of about 20 Indians. Aware that he was ill-equipped to defend himself against such a large force, he bid a hasty retreat. But the Indians had already spotted him and began to pursue him through the forest.

The settler was well known for his speed as a runner and on this day it served him well. For about three miles through the forest, he managed to stay ahead of his enemies. But when he reached the point on the stream where he had left his canoe, he made a discovery which seemed to guarantee disaster.

The Kanawha River was swelled to the flood stage from the Spring rain, and his canoe had broken away and been washed downstream. He could not retreat back from the stream, for the Indians were already descending the cliffs and advancing toward him, firing as they came. But he was a fast runner and the Indians were armed with poor grade British and French muskets. As the rule of the day, they seldom even took aim while firing on the run. While the lead bullets whizzed around his head, he ran out onto the long flat rock which projected out above the swirling waters of the river.

At this point his situation seemed hopeless. Although he managed to hold the Indians off for a few minutes by firing from behind some shrubbery and smaller rocks on the boulder, he was running out of ammunition. The river pouring over Kanawha Falls was full of whirlpools. To leap into it meant almost certain death, either by drowning or a shot from the Indian guns, as he floated defenselessly in the rapid waters. But to stay where he was meant to die by the bullet of an Indian gun, or even worse, be captured and tortured. VanBibber must have felt the cold touch of approaching death over his shoulder, as he watched his meager supply of ammunition dwindle away.

But the battle had not gone unnoticed by the members of the settlement across the river. At the first sound of gunfire, VanBibber's wife had run from their cabin with her baby in her arms. She watched in horror as what looked to be her husband's last moments on Earth were played out before her eyes. But she was a brave as her husband, and would not so easily give him up for lost.

Placing her baby upon the grass, she ran to the river's edge, and pushed the family canoe into the water. Although she shouted for her husband's attention, he could not hear her over the rushing waters of the river. If he had, it is possible the he might have warned her not to try to save him. For it seemed a foolhardy gesture. With the river at flood stage, it was unlikely that she could control the direction of the canoe well enough to reach him. Even if she did, the Indians would surely shoot them both before they could reach the other side of the river, where help waited.

But at the last moment a strange twist of fate proved the salvation of the couple. For the pet bear, Brownie, unaware of the peril of the moment, climbed into the canoe with Mrs. VanBibber. To him, it probably appeared that she was only embarking on a pleasant excursion upon the river. As the desperate woman attempted to take off into the river, there sat the bear in the end of the canoe. There was no time to convince him to leave, so she left him there and pushed off.

The weight of the bear, who sat perfectly balanced in the opposite end of the canoe, actually made it easier for the woman to navigate the rushing river. Within moments, she had paddled to a point directly beneath where her husband was making his desperate stand against the odds.

She shouted and, amazed, VanBibber looked down to see her and the bear in the dugout canoe beneath him. His wife shouted, "Jump, I'll rescue you!"

"Eyeing the distance from the top of the boulder to the rushing water below reluctantly, he realized that jumping was his only chance of escape. He called to his wife, "Drop downstream a bit," and gathered his courage for the leap. The Indians behind must have been surprised when their seemingly trapped victim suddenly turned his back upon them and dived feet first into the water. They rushed to the edge of the rock just in tome to see their victim climb into the waiting canoe.

For when they reached the settlement on the shore, friends hurried to help VanBibber and his wife from the canoe. But this time, the faithful Brownie did not follow. Brownie was sunk down low in the canoe with his great black head lying forward upon his breast.

VanBibber rushed back to the canoe where his faithful pet still sat. But the animal was beyond help. His body was found to be full of bullets from the Indian's guns. Bullets which, if Brownie had not followed Mrs. VanBibber into the canoe, would almost surely have struck the couple as they retreated across the river.

The entire settlement was filled with sadness at the loss of the animal who had paid the ultimate price for his loyalty, his life. He was carried from the canoe and the children wept as their gentle playmate was laid to rest below the great falls of the Kanawha.

Fayette Tribune -- Fayetteville, Fayette County, West Virginia -- October 29, 1990.

Daniel Boone handmade a chair passed down 7 generations through his daughter Susannah Boone, through his granddaughter Elizabeth Hays (and husband Isaac Van Bibber, Jr.), through Daniel's great-granddaughter, Susannah Van Bibber, (22 at Daniel's death), brought by Daniel's 3rd great-granddaughter, Susan A. Sampson from Missouri to Oregon and intended for her granddaughter, Susianna (Suzy) Bland and then to her daughter Louisa Holden, Daniel Boone's 6th great-granddaughter, (1st cousin to Agnes Bland, my mother). Instead, it ended up with Bert Bland, brother of Susianna (Suzy) Bland and John 'Pop' Bland, my grandfather. Bert Bland donated it to the Oregon Historical Museum in Portland in the 1930s. This is the oral history from my 79 year old mother.

Daniel Boone's 2nd great-granddaughter, Melissa Hickerson, (Susan A. Sampson's mother) was born 2 years before Daniel's death and he probably knew her as he often met and named his grandchildren. Daniel also made his own coffin, then gave it away to a neighbor in need and making another. Every other generation had a child named Susan, grandmother to granddaughter, this was also the chain of transfer of the chair. Rebecca and Melissa are passed down family names.

1 - Daniel Boone, Col. b. 22 Oct 1734, (O.S.) near Reading, Exeter Twp., Berks Co., PA d. 26 Sep 1820 at son Nathan's home, Montgomery/Warren Co., MO
m. Rebecca Ann Bryan m. 14 Aug 1756 Yadkin River, NC b. 9 Jan 1739 Winchester, Frederick Co, VA d. 18 Mar 1813 St Charles Co, MO [daughter of Joseph Bryan, Sr and Aylee Linville]

2 - Susannah Boone b. 2 Nov 1760 Yadkin Valley, Rowan Co., NC d. 19 Oct 1800 St Charles Co, MO
m. William Hays m. Mar 1775 Blackmore's Stn, Clinch River, VA b. 1754 Ireland d. 13 Dec 1804

3 - Elizabeth Hays b. 12 Jun 1776 Fort Boonesborough, KY d. 3 Aug 1828 Montgomery Co., MO (1st white child born in Kentucky)
m. Isaac Van Bibber, Jr., Capt. m. 1797 KY b. 20 Oct 1771 Greenbrier Co.,VA d. 30 Sep 1840 Williamsburg, Montgomery Co, MO [son of Isaac Van Bibber, Reverend and Sarah Davis , raised by Daniel and Rebecca Boone after his father's death in 1774]

4 - Susannah Van Bibber b. 1798 KY d. 1855 La Plata, MO
m. Thomas Hickerson m. 21 Jun 1816 St. Charles Co, MO b. 1789 Fauquier Co, VA d. 1867 LaPlata, MO

5 - Melissa Hickerson b. 2 Feb 1818 Montgomery Co, MO d. 1 Jan 1869 Atlanta, Mo
m. Fountain Baker Sampson b. 3 Apr 1807 TN d. 15 Mar 1871 Atlanta, MO, killed by lightning [possible son of Jesse Sampson and Betsy Tune]

6 - Susan A. Sampson b. 1837 MO, probably Montgomery
m. Richard M. Oliver m. 14 Dec 1856 Adair Co, MO. b. 1831 Ky, or MO

7 - Rebecca Melissa Oliver b. 4 Oct 1857 MO d. 1926
m. John Miles Duvall Bland m. MO, b. 4 Jul 1845 Hardin Co, KY d. 12 May 1904 OR [son of William Bland and Susan __ ]

8 - Susianna (Suzy) Bland b. Jun 1890
m. Bert Holden

1. William Noah⁴ VanBibber (John Green³, Absalom² VanBaber, John¹ VanBibber) was born October 10, 1877 in Golconda, Pope Co., IL, and died October 11, 1945 in Sanger, Fresno Co., CA. He married Alpha Jane Forrester January 05, 1896 in Omaha, Gallatin Co., IL, daughter of John Forrester and Melissa Buttrey. She was born March 05, 1879 in Norris City, White Co., IL, and died December 19, 1957 in Fresno, Fresno Co., CA. Both are buried in Reedley Cemetery, Reedley, Fresno Co., CA

Children of William VanBibber and Alpha Forrester are:

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   John VanBebber and Margaret Chrisman
      Isaac VanBebber and Mary Martin
         Isaac C. VanBebber and Sarah McWilliams
            Louisa VanBebber and John Wesley Wilson
               Maggie Myrtle Wilson and James Henry Howton
                  Audie Leo Howton

A. L. Howton, 59-year-old Duncan bachelor, pulled a "switcheroo" on the women at the Stephens county fair this year.

He entered 26 pints of canned vegetables, fruits and meats in the women - dominated household science competition, and it was his first time ever to participate in a fair.

Howton, who lives at 1413 Jim won three placings, too. He didn't win a first place ribbon but he is making plans to attain this goal next year.

His strawberry preserves were given a second place by the judges. Third places by went to his canned sweet potatoes and other vegetables.

"He was one of our most interested contestants," reported Mrs. Leo Heffington, one of the workers in the women's division at the fair. "He spent most of his time back in the canned foods department."

"He was here (at the fair) until we closed. When the judging was going on he was right there keeping track of his jars."

Howton's entries included plum and apply jelly, strawberry and peach preserves, pickle relish, okra, pinto and green beans, English peas, pickled peaches, beet and dill pickles, corn, squash, roasts, spareribs and barbecued chicken. Most of the vegetables came from his garden.

He bought some vegetables and the fruits from peddlers and at stands. Altogether he canned six dozen pints this year.

"This is about my usual run of canning each summer," Howton reported. "They should get me through the winter.

"I do my own cooking. I like to cook and sometimes cook a lot more than I need. Someone usually comes by to help me eat it."

Howton got started canning by helping his mother in the 1930's. After she died, he kept on canning and cooking.

He followed the cooking line in his work for awhile. He operated barbecue houses at a couple of locations in Duncan.

In addition to cooking, he freezes vegetables and fruits, but cans most of his food.

He does his own housework, but gets an assist with his laundry. He takes it to a self-help laundry and turns it out with some assistance from the attendants.

"I retired sometime ago, but it's hard to sit around doing nothing," he said. "I have to be doing something most of the time."

In addition to the barbecue business, Howton worked for Halliburton Services and Magnolia Petroleum. He suffered an injury in an accident during his oil field work.

The Duncan Banner -- Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma -- September 20, 1970 -- Sunday

-- Page #33.

The winter of 1919 a young couple and two sons, Taylor Charles and John Morton, crossed the Ohio River in a wagon on the ferry boat from Vanceburg to Portsmouth for a new life in farming and a dairy.

Elmer Taylor Lawson, the father, was a son of John M. and Mary H. Gammon Lawson of Tygart, Kentucky. Bess Smith Lawson, the mother, was a daughter of Charles A. and Virginia Morton Smith of Greenup County, Kentucky. Elmer and Bess's sons were six and four when they located in Highland Bend and started farming.

There are a lot of happy memories for so many young people that helped Elmer farm his land. He always strived to have the first tomatoes and vegetables for market.

Mrs. Lawson helped with farming, feeding the help and keeping house. She was an active church member and she was never too busy for other problems or just to chat.

Mr. Lawson started his dairy business with Holstein and Jersey cows. The sons helped on the farm and delivered milk on their way to school. Their first customer were the Bashams on Harding Avenue. Lawsons later delivered by horse and wagon then trucks to the same customers each day because refrigeration was a problem and few had facilities to ice their products.

Taylor (Tate) had a roaming foot, hitching a ride on a train or a truck, or taking a long walk to see where each road would lead. The hills of West Virginia, the peaches of Georgia or the crops of Texas. John was a home boy. His love was to farm, fish and read. He later was a truck farmer, hauling produce from Georgia and Florida. John married Evelyn Henderson of Portsmouth. They had three children: Sandra Lee, David Morton and John Henderson Lawson.

Tate married Bettie Marie Daniels of Sciotoville. They had five children, Taylor Charles Junior, Deborah Ann, Robert Duke, Kirby T. and Bettie Kay. Bettie was the daughter of Clinton John and Leora Agnes Aldridge Daniels of Schultz, Kentucky. Tate and Bettie were married July 1943. In November, 1943, they purchased the dairy farm from Elmer, Tate's father.

They built a home next to the business and farmed feed for the cattle. Long hours were spent farming, milking, pasteurizing and bottling. They built their new dairy plant at 8044 Ohio River Road, starting processing and delivering May 12, 1949. It was widely known for home delivery in glass bottles, seven days a week.

Milk was brought to the dairy by farmers in 10-gallon cans. Later we purchased a refrigerated bulk tank that pumped milk from refrigerated vats at the farmers and returned to the dairy to be pasteurized, bottled and delivered to homes, schools and wholesale, in refrigerated trucks. Your product is only as good as your help and we were very fortunate with this. The last of the glass bottles and processing dairy in Scioto County was ended in February, 1982.

Tate helped develop several subdivisions in Wheelersburg and was the original builder and owner with Doctor Gaspich and Doctor Villareal of Center Plaza Medical Center.

Lawsons built and operate the Longhorn Steak House. Tate's hobbies are boating, antique cars and hunting. Bettie's hobbies are golf, reading and crafts.

A History of Scioto County Ohio 1986, A Narrative Account of its beginning, its Development and its People -- Published by The Portsmouth Area Recognition Society, Portsmouth, Ohio -- Pages #396 & 397.

William H. VanBibber married Sarah J. Marsh, Nov. 10, 1867

Precinct: Dalles
620 Vanbibber, W. H.    45 m   Tenn Tenn Tenn   dairyman
                          Sarah J. 29 f     Ia      Tenn Tenn   wife
                          Willie    11 m    Ore                       son
                          Marcus   3 m    Ore                       son

Name Case # Year Type

VanBebber, Wm. H. A-587 1901 Estate

The following are two deaths from the California Death Records, between the years of 1940 and 1997, who have a Van Bibber connection.

Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
   Jacob VanBibber and Sarah Miller
      Elizabeth VanBibber and Ezra Jeffords
         Phoebe Magdalena Jeffords and Charles John Beckwith
            Byron De La Beckwith and Sabrina Clara Fowler
              George Clair Beckwith

Last Name: Beckwith
First Name: George
Middle: Clair
Birth Date: February 22, 1904
Mother Maiden: Fowler
Father Last:
Sex: M
Birth Place: California
Death Place: Tehama County
Death Date: January 18, 1984
Age: 79 years

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

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   James VanBebber, Sr. and Hannah Hoover
      Isaac VanBebber and Hannah Long
         George VanBeber and Mary Elizabeth Tinsley
            William M. VanBever and Emily Jane Howard
               Mary Catherine VanBever and James L. Decker
                  George VanBever Decker

Last Name: Decker
First Name: George
Middle: VanBever
Birth Date: September 2, 1890
Mother Maiden: VanBever
Father Last:
Sex: M
Birth Place: Missouri
Death Place: San Francisco County
Death Date: May 10, 1958
Age: 67 years

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

The following are two deaths from the Kentucky Death Records, between the years of 1911 and 2000, who have a Van Bibber connection.

George Washington Hensley, Sr. and Ruth A. VanBibber
   George Washington Hensley, Jr. and Sarah Ann Lightner
      George Washington Hensley, III and Elizabeth Belle Gearheart
         Bertice Hensley and James Harrison Gillispie

Last Name: Gillispie
First Name: Bertice
Middle Initial: H.
Age: 71 years
Death Place: Greenup County
Residence: Greenup County
Death Date: July 5, 1969
Volume: 033
Certificate: 16345
Death Volume: 1969

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

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   Martha VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
      Robert Yoakum and Parkey Berry
         Ewing B. Yoakum and Martha Elizabeth VanBebber
            William Gibson Yoakum and Martha Jane Burdine
               Alonzo H. Yoakum

--and--

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   John VanBebber and Margaret Chrisman
      Isaac VanBebber and Mary Martin
         Martha Elizabeth VanBebber and Ewing B. Yoakum
            William Gibson Yoakum and Martha Jane Burdine
               Alonzo H. Yoakum

Last Name: Yoakum
First Name: Alonzo
Middle Initial: H.
Age: 85 years
Death Place: Bell County
Residence: Bell County
Death Date: April 11, 1977
Volume: 015
Certificate: 07221
Death Volume: 1977

The following are two deaths from the Ohio Death Records, between the years of 1958 and 2000, who have a Van Bibber connection.

John VanBibber and Chloe Staniford
   James VanBibber and Lois Reynolds
      Hannah VanBibber and Joshua Rawlings
         Elizabeth Rawlings and Jacob Lawson
            John Metz Lawson and Mary Hannah Gammon
               Denver Riogrande Lawson

Name: Denver R. Lawson
Gender: Male
Date of Death: April 17, 1958
Volume: 15392
Certificate: 29639
Marital Status: Married
Place of Death: Portsmouth, Scioto County
Race: White
Residence: Portsmouth, Scioto County
Age: 72

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

Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
   Jacob VanBibber and Sarah Miller
      Ezekial VanBibber and Susan Rice
         Susan VanBibber and John W. Green
            Julia Lee Green and Melvin Little
               Lou Ella Little and Frank Vernon Traylor

Name: Lou E. Traylor
Gender: Female
Date of Death: June 12, 1964
Volume: 17719
Certificate: 46401
Marital Status: Married
Place of Death: Portsmouth, Scioto County
Race: White
Residence: Out-of-State
Age: 64

Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
   Jacob VanBibber and Sarah Miller
      Elizabeth VanBibber and Ezra Jeffords
         Sarah Jane Jeffords and St. Leger Caud Stout Barklow
            Agnes I. Barklow and Benjamin Edward Roe

The following special to the Times from Greenup conveys the sad intelligence of the death of one of Greenup county's brightest young lawyers and most progressive citizens.
Greenup, Ky., Feb. 23, 1895

PORTSMOUTH, OHIO, Times-B.E. Roe died at 11:25 this morning. H. C. D.

Mr. Roe's death was caused by typhoid fever complicated with kidney trouble. He was taken ill just fourteen days ago, the disease assuming an acute form from the first, and baffling the skill of the physicians. He rallied somewhat a day or two ago and hopes were entertained that he would recover. The hope proved a vain one however. Yesterday he suffered a relapse and sank steadily until this morning at 11:25 when death relieved him from his sufferings.

Mr. Roe was one of the very finest and most promising young men in Eastern Kentucky and scores of friends at his native place and in surrounding counties, mourn his untimely death. Bright, handsome and generous to a fault, he made friends on all sides. Everybody had a good word to say for "Bud" Roe, as his friends called him.

Ben E. Roe was the son of George Elliott Roe, for many years a leading lawyer of Greenup, who died several years ago. Ben was born in Greenup some thirty-five or thirty-six years ago. Read law, was admitted a number of years ago, and has been practicing law in Greenup ever since. He was very successful and had built up a large practice. Since the retirement of Hon. Thos. F. Paynter from the active pursuit of his profession, Mr. Roe has easily stood at the head of the Greenup bar and was engaged on one side or the other in most of the cases in court.

He was a staunch Democrat politically, and the Times takes pride in the fact that it ever counted "Bud" Roe as one of its most loyal friends. He was quite active in politics and was in the fall of 1893 the candidate of his party for the state senator in the district to which Greenup county belongs, but was defeated by a small majority. At the time he was holding the office of county attorney for Greenup county, an office corresponding to that of prosecuting attorney in Ohio. He was a candidate for re-election, last fall, but went down with his ticket, his successful competitor being W. J. A. Rarden.

Mr. Roe was united in marriage Dec. 5, 1893, to Miss Agnes I. Barklow, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stout Barklow of East Third street, this city, the ceremony being performed at the home of Miss Barklow, by Rev. Dr. Tappan. But little more than a year has passed and the friends of Mrs. Barklow (sic.) are called upon to mourn with her, the loss of him who was a gallant lover and a faithful and devoted husband.

Portsmouth Daily Times -- Portsmouth, Scioto County, Ohio -- February 23, 1895 -- Saturday.

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   Martha VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
      Isaac Yoakum and Mary Davis
         William Wylie Yoakum and Nancy Elizabeth Poff
            James Edward Yoakum and Rosa E. McCubbin
               Claude Yoakum and Della Pearl Kelley
                  Edwin Franklin Yoakum

Edwin Franklin Yoakum, 69, Raytown, MO (formerly of Polo, MO), passed away December 14, 2003, at his home. Mr. Yoakum was born August 16, 1934, in Polo to Claude and Della (Kelley) Yoakum. He was a graduate of Polo High School and retired from Armco Steel, after 33 years and General Motors after 12 years.

Surviving are his wife, Winona of the home; two sons, Stephen and wife, Carol, Colorado Springs, CO, and Jeffery and wife, Amy, Jefferson City, MO; daughter, Valorie Yoakum, Columbia, MO; brother, Irvin Yoakum, Rayville, MO; sister, Patricia Williams, North Kansas City, MO; three grandsons.

Service will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 17, 2003, at Bethel Christian Union Church, Polo, MO, burial in Bethel Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-7 a.m. Tuesday at Bailey & Cox Family Funeral Service, Polo. (Arrangements: Bailey & Cox Family Funeral Service, Polo, MO)

The Kansas City Star -- Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri -- December 16, 2003 -- Tuesday.

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   Martha VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
      Isaac Yoakum and Mary Davis
         Moses Yoakum and Elizabeth Grimes
            George Washington Yoakum and Julia Ann Schooler
               Moses Edward Yoakum and Margaret Ann Clark
                  Millard Clead Yoakum and Jennie Bell Whitmer
                     Millard Clede Yoakum, Jr. and Shirley A. Moran

Shirley A. Moran was born December 21, 1925 in Maryland. She was the daughter of Albert and Viola (Matthews) Moran. Shirley passed away November 28, 2003 at Ray County Hospital at the age of seventy-seven. On August 11, 1955, Shirley was united in marriage to Millard Yoakum of Richmond. Shirley was a housewife. A member of Camden Methodist Church and a member of the V.F.W. Aux Post 4051 in Lexington.

Shirley is survived by her husband Millard of the home, one son and his wife, Richard B. and Diane Yoakum of Omaha, Nebraska, three daughters and their husbands, Kathy and Jim Lamar of Richmond, Jennifer and David Jones of Sugar Creek, Mo., and Stephanie and Harry Sappington of Potosi, Mo. One brother Ed Moran of Phoenix; eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Meredith Moran and one sister, Inez Mathewson. It was the families desire that services for Shirley be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 2, 2003 at Snow funeral home in Richmond with the reverend Brian Guy officiating. Interment: Memory Gardens cemetery. Pallbearers: Charlie Jones, David Lamar, David Jones, Tony Lamar, Seth Lamar and Michael Neff.

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   Isaac VanBibber, Jr. and Elizabeth Hays
      Matilda VanBibber and James Estill
         William Kavanaugh Estill and Margaret Ellen Larch
            George Jones Estill and Mary Emma Arnett
               Olive Winifred Estill and William Paul Corbaley
                  Paul Estill Corbaley and Ruby Muriel Carter
                     Ruby Darlene Corbaley and Lawrence Scott Mann
                        Darla Jean Mann and Timothy Dee Smith
                           Benjamin Daniel Smith and Elizabeth Ann Hunter

Benjamin Daniel Smith and Elizabeth Ann Hunter were married December 6, 2003 in Mesa, Arizona. The new couple enjoyed a honeymoon to New Mexico and will live in Mesa until Ben enters the Army in March.

Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
   Jacob VanBibber and Sarah Miller
      Solomon H. VanBibber and Mary Jane Bryson
         Noah Bryson VanBibber and Elizabeth Ann Carter
            William Lee VanBibber and Sarah Jane Currens
               Bert E. VanBibber

Surname: Van Bibber
Christian name: Bert E.
Army serial number: 199,958
Race: W
Residence: Kansas City
Inducted at: Kansas City on 2/12/1917
Place of birth: Lyon Co. KS
Age or date of birth: 30 1/12 yr
Organizations served in, with dates of assignments and transfers:
CO A SIG C MISSOURI NG CO A 117 SIG BN TO DISCHARGE
Grades, with date of appointment: Cook
Wounds or other injuries received in action:
Served overseas from: 10/18/1917 to 4/27/1919
Honorably discharged on demobilization: Yes
In view of occupation he was, on date of discharge, reported N per cent disabled.
Remarks:

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

Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
   Jacob VanBibber and Sarah Miller
      Solomon H. VanBibber and Mary Jane Bryson
         Noah Bryson VanBibber and Elizabeth Ann Carter
            William Lee VanBibber and Sarah Jane Currens
               Clyde VanBibber

Surname: Van Bibber
Christian name: Clyde
Army serial number: 199,961
Race: W
Residence: Kansas City
Inducted at: Kansas City on 5/15/1917
Place of birth: Danville, IL
Age or date of birth: 29 1/4 yr
Organizations served in, with dates of assignments and transfers:
CO B 117 FIELD SIG BN TO DISCHARGE
Grades, with date of appointment: PVT 5/1918
Wounds or other injuries received in action:
Served overseas from: 10/18/1917 to 4/27/1919
Honorably discharged on demobilization: Yes
In view of occupation he was, on date of discharge, reported N per cent disabled.
Remarks:

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

Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
   Jacob VanBibber and Sarah Miller
      Solomon H. VanBibber and Mary Jane Bryson
         Noah Bryson VanBibber and Elizabeth Ann Carter
            William Lee VanBibber and Sarah Jane Currens
              Harry VanBibber

Surname: Van Bibber
Christian name: Harry
Army serial number: 199,964
Race: W
Residence: Kansas City, MO
Inducted at: Kansas City, MO on 5/22/1917
Place of birth: Chicago, IL
Age or date of birth: 24 1/2 yr
Organizations served in, with dates of assignments and transfers:
CO A 117 FIELD SIG BN TO DISCHARGE
Grades, with date of appointment: CPL 10/1917
Wounds or other injuries received in action:
Served overseas from: 10/18/1917 to 4/27/1919
Honorably discharged on demobilization: Yes
In view of occupation he was, on date of discharge, reported N per cent disabled.
Remarks:

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   Martha VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
      Jesse Yoakum, Sr. and Anna Berry
         William Yoakum and Sarah W. Stone
            Mary Ann Yoakum and William McTeer Grimes

Mary A. Grimes, 80 yrs., 1 mo., 16 days; white female; b. 4/6/1853, MO.; widowed; d. 5/22/1933, in home in Fresno; service in chapel; bur. 5/24/1993, North Selma Cemetery. Father was William Yoakum, b. MO.; mother, _____ Stone. Services charged to Claude and Harry Grimes, Selma. [Notes: A second address for Claude/Clyde Grimes, 940 Pier Avenue, Santa Monica, CA.]

The Thomas-Robinson Funeral Home -- Selma, California -- Abstracted Records 1890-1949 -- Compiled by Rebecca F. Greer -- 1996 -- Page #345.

Not too long ago there was an article about a Van Bibber that was taken and raised by the Indians. This story reminded me of a family that is linked to the Van Bibbers through Eunice Dixon whose mother was Sophia Veronica Van Bibber and married to George Dixon. Eunice married Jacob Davis in Greenbriar County, Virginia. Jacob's father was William Davis who according to land records and court records knew the Van Bibbers in Greenbriar Co., Virginia and Monroe County. William Davis's family were killed by the Indians and he was taken by the Sandusky Indians and raised by a squaw mother. He was given to her by the #1 chief. When he returned to the white man settlement he was about 18 or 20 years old. He married Mary Packwood. In this part of Virginia during the 1770-80's there were not many settlers of settlements. William is mentioned often in excepts from county records with other early settlers of Greenbriar County, such as George Dixon, the Van Bibbers, and the Ellisons, to name a few. They all have some family connection to William through marriage. John Van Bibber had built a powder mill in Greenbriar County, where William must have learned to make gun powder as was mentioned in the Court Hearing. The Van Bibbers, also had something to do with the founding of Point Pleasant on the Ohio River. John VanBibber and William Davis were arrested for making gun powder and they were thought to have given it to the Indians. William was put on town arrest and was not to leave the Commonwealth for a year or go see his Indian family. They were arraigned for disloyalty. John Vanbibbers charge was dismissed. William was held bound to the court, because he had learned the art of making gun powder and his Indian ties. Also, William's Indian mother brought food to him but would not go to his house. She was seen leaving it a ways away from the house.

If anyone knows anything about the Packwood or Dixon family please e-mail me.

Thank you,