Excerpts from The Washington Times April 27, 1908

John Edward Libbey, president of the [Oldest Inhabitants] Association and a pioneer lumber merchant, died at his home, 3053 P street, Georgetown, at 4:55 yesterday morning. The funeral of Mr. Libbey will be held from the family residence. Services will be at the Congress Street Methodist Church and interment at Oak Hill Cemetery. The honorary pallbearers, members of the Oldest Inhabitants' Association, will be Fred L. Moore, S. Thomas Brown, Thomas W. Smith, Judge Charles S. Bundy, Harry K. Willard, A.H. Regan, B.H. Warner and J.D. Cathell. Secretary Benjamin W. Reiss and Louis P. Siebold, of the Association; William King, Charles Edmonston, John Lynch and M.J. Adler, all residents of Georgetown, will be the active pallbearers.

John Edward Libbey, president of the association, was born in this city November 22, 1837. Like Mr. Church, he had for many years been one of the city's leading lumber merchants, actively engaged in the upbuilding of the section of the city in which he lived. Mr. Libbey and family had planned to go to Leesburg, Va., yesterday to visit the old homestead where his mother was born 105 years ago. He awakened quite early yesterday morning, and on going to the window awoke his wife, telling her that it would be a fair day for the trip. He returned to bed and a few minutes later his heavy breathing alarmed Mrs. Libbey, who summoned Dr. Reginald Munson. Every effort was made to revive the aged man, but he died within a few minutes, partly conscious until the last. While suffering from the grip, contracted about three months ago, for a time he had apparently recovered and his death was unexpected.

Mr Libbey was elected a member of the Oldest Inhabitants Association about eight years ago. He was elected one of the thirteen vice presidents February 3 and on the death of President President Allison Nailer he was elected president of the association March 11. Mr Libbey was active in church matters, and had been a member of Congress Street Methodist Church since childhood. He was active in Georgetown business affairs being a member of the Board of Trade, a director in the Farmers and Mechanics' Bank and one of the board of governors of the Capital Traction Company. Mr. Libbey was first married to Miss Emily F. Orme, in April 1863. The surviving children of this union are Francis Benjamin Libbey, Mrs. Clara Cropley and J.E. Libbey Jr., all of this city. Mr Libbey's first wife died in 1896 and on June 26, 1902, he married Mrs. Mary A. Collins, who survives him him.