Livy B. Tibbetts, senior member of the firm of Tibbetts Brothers, owners and publishers of the Blue Rapids "Times," was born at Blue Rapids, Kan., January 11, 1873, and is a son of Charles E. and Annice (Brewster) Tibbetts, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Ohio. Charles E. Tibbetts was a graduate of Oberlin College, of Oberlin, Ohio. During the Civil war he served three years in the army and was first lieutenant of Company A, Thirteenth Connecticut infantry. After the war he returned to Oberlin and completed his studies, which had been interrupted by his military career. Here he took the degree of Bachelor of Arts. His wife, Annice Brewster, was also a graduate of Oberlin College, where she received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In 1868 thy[sic] came to Kansas, settling at Irving, where Mr. Tibbetts was principal of Wetmore Institute. He remained there until the Genessee colony came to Kansas and founded the town of Blue Rapids, when he came to Blue Rapids, and in 1871 established the Blue Rapid "Times," which is the oldest newspaper published under continuous name in the county. He published the Blue Rapids "Times" until 1879, when he sold it. During the time he was the editor he was active in politics and served as county commissioner of Marshall county and postmaster of Blue Rapids. After disposing of the "Times" he bought the Marysville "News," which he published about three years and retired. He died in 1889. His wife, the mother of the subject of this review, now resides in Blue Rapids and it might be here mentioned that she was at one time a pupil of James A. Garfield when he was an instructor in Hiram College, an institution which she attended.

Livy B. Tibbetts attended the public schools of Blue Rapids, completing the high school course, and was later a student at Washburn College, Topeka, Kan., after which he took a commercial course in the Topeka Business College. He then returned to Blue Rapids and served in the capacity of assistant cashier in the City Bank, of Blue Rapids, two years. In 1893 he purchased an interest in the Blue Rapids "Times" and became local editor, and in 1894 his brother, Charles C. Tibbetts, a sketch of whom appears in this volume, purchased a half interest in the paper, and thus the two brothers became absolute owners of the paper and Livy B. became editor. The paper has remained in their possession since and they also have a general job printing department, which is thoroughly equipped for all kinds of printing. The "Times" was published as a weekly paper until 1912, when it was changed to a semi-weekly publication, and the change was a success. It is a well conducted newspaper with well defined policies and a wholesome influence. It is Republican. Mr. Tibbetts has also taken an active part in politics and is of the same political persuasion as is indicated by his newspaper. He was a member of the Republican county central committee for eleven years and for three years served on the city council of Blue Rapids; and served as mayor for two years. He was assistant postmaster for ten years.

Mr. Tibbetts was married, May 21, 1895, to Miss Blanche Ekins, a daughter of William and Sarah (Lass) Ekins, both natives of England, who located in Illinois upon coming to this country, and in 1871 removed to Kansas and settled in Blue Rapids. Mrs. Tibbetts was reared and educated in Blue Rapids, where she attended the high school. In 1890 she removed with her parents to Riverside, Cal., and attended the high school there. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbetts have six children: Eunice, Harlow, Dorothy, Raymond, Clifford and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbetts are members of the Presbyterian church and he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he has been camp clerk for ten years.