James D. Van Bibber
This gentleman is the son of Joseph and Susan (Boone) Van Bibber, and
was born May 3, 1828, in Liberty, Clay County, Missouri.  In 1832 his
parents moved to Randolph County, Arkansas, where they died, leaving
James D., our subject, still a child.  In 1844 he came with his grand-
father, Daniel Boone, to Greene County, Missouri, and settled on a
farm near Ash Grove.  He worked upon a farm, and saved money enough to
give himself a good common school education.  He taught school several
terms, two in 1849, and one in the winter of 1850.  In May, 1850, he
sold goods for Alfred Stealey, at Cave Spring, which position he held
until Mr. Stealey's death in 1853.  Mrs. Stealey then gave Mr. Van
Bibber entire control of the store until 1856, when he bought the
stock of goods from her, and ran it on his own account until 1860.  He
was married February 28, 1854, to Caroline, daughter of Alfred and
Lucinda (Brower) Stealey.  They have been blest with two children, viz:
Alfred H. and Laura B.  In 1869 he removed to Walnut Grove, where he
lived until 1874, when he made the race for county clerk upon the Demo-
cratic ticket, and was elected.  He served his term of four years, and
was renominated and re-elected in 1878, and was again re-elected in
1882.  He is held in high esteem by all political parties.  He is a
Mason, has been secretary of the lodge for several years, and is a gen-
tleman in every sense.