My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH LYBROOK. Among the prominent citizens of Cass County who have passed their entire lives upon the places where they now reside may be mentioned the subject of this sketch, who owns and occupies a finely improved farm on section 22, La Grange Township. Here he has passed his entire life, and here he was born November 22, 1845. The family was first represented in this country by the great-grandfather of our subject, who was born in Prussia and emigrated to America in the old Colonial days, settling in Giles County, Va., where he reared his family. The family name at the time of the early history of its representatives in this country was spelled Leybroch.

Henry Lybrook, our subject’s grandfather, was born in Giles County, Va., and served for seven years in the Revolutionary War, being for part of the time in Washington’s army, but serving principally on the frontier with the Indians. He was an officer in the army, and during his service was accidentally injured by having his ankle put out of place. Farming pursuits occupied his attention during his entire active life, and he followed that occupation first in Virginia and later in Preble County, Ohio, where he made settlement in 1810. In 1827 he came to Michigan and located in Berrien County, but soon thereafter removed to Cass County, where he bought a large tract of land, twenty acres of the property being now included in our subject’s farm. The journey hither was made in wagons, and during much of the time they were compelled to open roads. Their entire household effects they brought with them, and with no capital or friends commenced life in the remote West.

Grandfather Lybrook and his good wife had a large family, whose names were: Sarah, Catherine, John (father of our subject), Anna, Mary, Rebecca (now the only survivor), Clara and Elizabeth. In his religious belief, the father of this family was a German Baptist, and politically he affiliated with the Whigs. His death occurred in Cass County ere he could witness the results of his arduous labors. The father of our subject, John Lybrook, was born in Giles County, Va., in 1798, and accompanied his parents to Ohio. Later he came to Michigan, in 1822, and from this State returned to Ohio on foot. During the following year he came again to Michigan, and not long afterward purchased one hundred and sixty acres, the present location of our subject’s home.

In Cass County Mr. Lybrook was united in marriage with Miss Mary, daughter of John and Rebecca Hurd, who were pioneers of Cass County, having come hither in 1836. Three children were born to bless the union: Henry, Joseph and Arminda, Mrs. E. G. Stewart, deceased. The father was a Democrat in his political views, and served in the Black Hawk War against the Indians. His death occurred in 1881, and was mourned not only by his immediate circle of relatives, but by all with whom business or social relations had brought him in contact. His widow is still living and makes her home with our subject.

In the parental home Joseph Lybrook passed his boyhood years, and his entire life has been passed on the old homestead. To the property accumulated by his father he has added from time to time and is now the owner of one hundred and eighty acres of highly cultivated land. Politically, he is a Democrat, although lie is not actively interested in politics.