DEATH OF NATHAN BOON VANBIBBER

Nathan Boon VanBibber, son of David C. R. VanBibber and Jane (Williams) VanBibber, was born February 24th, 1838; departed this life August 16th, 1928, age 90 years, 5 months and 23 days.
He was born in Nicholas county, Va., now West Virginia, where he spent all of his youthful days and early manhood. In his father's family there were eight boys and four girls, all of whom preceded him to the Great Beyond, his father and mother also having passed away many years ago.

Nathan Boon VanBibber was a descendant of a robust, long-lived people, his ancestors came from Holland and were members of the early colonial settlers west of the Alleghany Mountains; his grand father, Mathias VanBibber along with other pioneers formed a settlement, 60 miles east of Charleston, West Virginia, selecting rich valley lands for farmers. In two generations these rugged pioneers had not only made it safe for the white man, but half gone into the forests and the howling wilderness and with a dogged perseverance fell the mighty oak by the sweat of their brow, builded homes, carved out of the forest, fields, waving with golden grain. It is to these pioneers that we, their descendants, owe our greatest debt of gratitude, for their labors, their fight, their ideals ever onward and upward in their march, be it forever said of these fathers and our mothers born of a fearless ancestry, who believed in truth and righteousness and had courage to defend their convictions.

Nathan Boon VanBibber was united in marriage to Sarah H. Mayes in the year 1867. To this union was born ten children, three of whom with their mother, preceded him to the flower clad hills of glory.

After the death of his first wife he was again, in 1918, united in marriage to Mrs. Isabell Thorn. His last marriage was a great comfort to him in his declining days. He leaves to mourn their loss, his last wife, two sons and five daughters, seventeen grandchildren and two great grandchildren, besides these he leaves a host of relatives and friends to mourn his absence.

He was a Civil War veteran, belonging to the 22nd regiment of West Virginia Confederate Volunteers.

He came with his family to Oklahoma in 1900 and has since that date lived on a farm seven miles west of Edmond. In his early manhood he professed faith in Christ and was baptized into the fellowship of the Baptist Church. On coming to Oklahoma he united with the Hopewell Baptist Church, remaining a member to the time of his death. He was a staunch believer in the Bible and the Christian religion, read his bible much. Few bible students were more familiar with God's Word than Nathan Boon Van Bibber.

The day and night preceding his earthly departure he said, over and over again, "I am going home."

A large crowd attended the funeral and the lavish display of the floral offerings placed on the casket and the racks at the funeral services attested the popularity and esteem in which the deceased was held.

Funeral services were conducted from the Hopewell church by Rev. L.W. Marks. Singing was conducted by Elsie Ritter, Mrs. Ralph Gilmore, Mrs. Roxie Watts, Shelden Davenport and Elisha Larkin.

His remains were laid to rest in the Wisler cemetery.

The Edmond Enterprise -- Edmond, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma -- August 30, 1928 -- Thursday.