Fred Tibbit, a prosperous farmer of Dunn township and a defender of the flag in the Civil War days, is of English birth, the place and date of his nativity having been Norfolkshire, England, December 27, 1848. His parents were Edward and Ann Tibbit, of old English families, and during the early years of their married life migrated to America.Upon arriving in the United States the family first located in Michigan, but after remaining there one summer came to Dane county, Wisconsin and began farming on rented land in the town of Rutland. The father continued as a renter for about five years, then bought twenty acres of land in the same town and later added forty acres more. The family continued to reside on this farm until 1890, when the father retired from active farming and moved to Stoughton, where he resided until his death in 1905.

Fred Tibbit grew to manhood at the Dane county home of his parents, and received his education in the district schools of the town of Rutland. When but seventeen years of age he started life for himself, although he had been practically self-supported for several years prior thereto.

On January 26, 1865, he enlisted as a private in Company E, Forty-seventh Regiment Wisconsin infantry and served with it until September 4, of the same year, when the regiment was mustered out. With the command Mr. Tibbit proceeded to Nashville, Tenn., and thence to Tullahoma, at the junction of the McMinnville & Manchester railroad with the Nashville & Chattanooga. There he was employed in guard duty during the entire period of his active service.

After being mustered out he returned home and worked as a farm hand by the year for three years. He then became a renter and worked different farms on shares for time, constantly prospering until he was able to purchase twenty acres of land in the town of Rutland, on which he resided fifteen years. He then sold his farm in Rutland and purchased eighty acres in the town of Dunn, upon which he still resides.

Mr. Tibbit is a Republican in his political affiliation but has never essayed the role of an office-seeker.

On October 9, 1873, he was married to Miss Angeline Washburn, who was born January 30, 1854, the daughter of Serene and Hannah (Hull) Washburn, of the state of Illinois. Mr. Washburn was a native of Pennsylvania, but became one of the early settlers in the vicinity of Vandalia, Ill, where he located on a farm and resided until his death, in 1856. After the father’s death the mother remained several years , and then came to Dane county, Wis., and settled in the town of Rutland. After the marriage of her daughter to Mr. Tibbit the mother made her home with them until her death, which occurred in 1884.

Mrs. Tibbit received her education in the district schools of Illinois, and is an intelligent and highly respected lady. She and her husband are the parents of two children as follows: Clayton Serene, born April 21, 1876, died in 1881; and Myrtle May, born May 25, 1887. She was married to Herbert Koble of Kansas. Four weeks later she died after a week’s illness. Her death was particularly sad. She was an estimable young lady of high character whose amiable disposition had won for her a host of friends.

In 1905 Mr. Tibbit suffered an injury to his hip, from which he fears he will never be able to recover, and for this reason is seriously contemplating the question of retiring from the farm and engaging in other business. Whatever his decision may be in the matter, a host of friends wish for him long life and continued prosperity, as he is a congenial and much respected citizen. He is a member of the G.A.R., Buckman Post, Stoughton, and attends the Free-will Baptist church.

1906 History of Dane County, Wisconsin, pp. 904-905.