A Veritable Veteran.

Judge Chambers McKibbin, of the old Pennsylvania Borough of Chambersburg, which was founded by an ancestor of his, has been at the Riggs House here for the past week, and has been almost daily closeted with the President. A man well known to National fame and Democratic in politics hinted to me the other day that the Judge came here on the personal invitation of Mr. Cleveland.

Judge McKibbin is so old that he knew when this century was born, and in his 90 years of life has witnessed or participated in five different wars that have been waged under the Stars and Stripes.

As a boy he was with his father among the troops that fought in our last war with England, a man grown, he watched the first Seminole war in Georgia and Florida; in his middle age he took part in the Mexican war, where a son was also engaged, and when the rebellion came, Buchanan Democrat as he was, he arranged himself sturdily on the side of the Union and sent four sons out to draw their swords for its perpetuity.

The eldest son, Col. Joseph C. McKibbin, was one of the first Aids-de-Camp appointed upon Gen. McClellan’s staff when that meteoric warrior came to the command of the Army in place of Gen. Scott, and distinguished himself by his superb coolness in times of action.

Gen. David B. McKibbin, another son, was appointed in the Regular Army in 1861, and commanded the 14th U.S. Inf. at the second battle of Bull Run. He is now on the retired list for disability.

“Bill” McKibbin, who was next in age to Gen. David B., died during the war.

Judge McKibbin is such a giant in frame that one can readily understand that his stalwart sons duly inherited their tall stature, and the girth that has grown with his advancing years does not yet disfigure him.

Many years ago Judge McKibbin was a famous hotel-keeper, and as the head of the old-time famous Girard House in Philadelphia was as well-known throughout the United States as was Col. Coleman (the father of the Col. Fred W. Coleman of Gettysburg Springs) of the Astor House in New York. Col.

Joe McKibbin was trained by his father in the hotel business, and was associated with him at the Girard, and William, who was also trained to the same business, for a long time was proprietor of the old United States Hotel here in Washington, a hostelry that ranked 30 years ago as does the Riggs and Ebbitt now.

Quoted from: From the National Tribune, August 30, 1888.

Note: Chambers McKibbin served as Superintendent of the U.S. Mint as well as a Pennsylvania State Senator.