Libbya
Transcribed from "History of North Washington, an illustrated history
of Stevens, Ferry, Okanogan and Chelan counties", published by Western
Historical Publishing Co., 1904.
ASHBEL LIBBY lives at the mouth
of Libby creek, on the Methow, twelve miles South from Twisp and his postoffice
is Libby. He is one of the leading stockmen of the Methow valley
and also does general farming. He is a man of ability and uprightness ever
manifesting knowledge and good business judgment, which have won for him
a fine holding in property interests.
Ashbel Libby was born in Cumberland county,
Maine, on April 28, 1853, the son of James E., and Lucinda (Hilton) Libby,
both natives of Maine, where they lived until their death. Our subject
remained with his parents until seventeen, receiving a good education from
the common schools during those years. Then he went to San Francisco and
engaged in teaming and driving a stage. This continued for several years,
when he came to Silver City, Idaho, and operated what was known as the
Sheep Ranch stage office. After this he did ranching at Jordan valley,
Malheur county, Oregon, for three years. Thence in 1888, he came to the
Methow and took up Libby creek ranch where he is located at the present
time. He has one hundred and sixty acres of fine alfalfa land all fenced
and under irrigation. Many other improvements may be mentioned together
with good buildings, fine orchards, and other accessories. Mr. Libby feeds
about one hundred head of cattle every winter and is a very skillful stock
breeder. He is school director of his district, number twenty, and has
been most of the time for the past twelve years.
At Silver City, Idaho, in 1883, Mr. Libby
married Miss Sarah, daughter of Lewis R. and Mary (Beal) Barrett, natives
of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. They both died in Missouri. To
our subject and his wife, four children have been born, Ralph and Rae,
twins, Chester, and James.