Index of Names

Generation 1

REV. JOHN DAVID SIBERT (d. aft. 1820) of Abbeville (or modern-day McCormick County) in South Carolina

Parents: Unknown

John David Sibert died after 1820.

Much of what we know about John David Sibert is from Beeson [Ref]. Beeson claims that he married an Unknown Wilmore of Virgina (p. 3). Some of her descendants have claimed, without attribution, that her first name was Mahulda. Given the apparent births of her children, she was probably born about 1760/70. She appears to be in the 1820 census and Beeson suggests that she was alive then, so it is likely that she died after 1820.

Beeson (p. 3-4) claims that Rev. John David Sibert came to America, not long before the Revolutionary War, when a young man. He goes on to say,

"Later he bought a farm on Hard Labor Creek, Abbeville District, South Carolina, now in McCormick County, and was the pastor of St. George's Lutheran Church, near his farm. This church was made of logs and daubed with mud. According to Bernheim's 'German Settlements and the Lutheran Church in the Carolinas,' page 305, this church was commissioned in 1788, and on page 309, he states that this church 'had already ceased to exist in 1871.' Later the Reverend Sibert was pastor of the Tranquil Methodist Church which was built about one mile north west of the St. George's Church on the present Troy-Edgefield road, and the site may be easily located today by a few graves with unmarked stones in the old church yard. John Cook of Jasper Co., Miss. stated that when he was a small boy he heard the Reverend Sibert preach in this church, and that his German accent was so strong that he could hardly understand him. Harmon Gable who lived to be over one hundred years old, told his son who is now living in this locality that he had often heard the Reverend Sibert preach, clad in long hose and knee breeches with silver buckles at the knees. David Sibert said that his father, the Reverend Sibert, was a Revolutionary soldier, and on one occasion he became separated from his command and hid in a hollow log from the Tories in the neighborhood until he was almost famished.
The date of the death and the exact place of burial of the Reverend Sibert is not known. When his son, David Sibert, married Elizabeth Cook and left Abbeville District, S.C. for St. Clair County, Alabama, in 1820, his father and mother were left in the care of David's brother George Sibert, who cared for the old couple until their deaths."

St. George's Lutheran Church on Hard Labor Creek was also visited by Rev. R. J. Miller in his missionary tour in 1811, and the following is his report concerning this church: "Sunday, November 10th. I preached in a German meeting-house on Hard Labor Creek, where my appointments were to commence; here was a formerly Lutheran congregation, but no remains of it are found; here the Methodists and Baptists have pulled each other out of the pulpit. Every person seemed attentive; here is the full proof of the necessity of missionary preaching. The former Lutheran minister became a Methodist."

Children of John David Sibert and Miss Wilmore (the order is uncertain):

1. Rosa Sibert was perhaps born before 1790. She married Unknown Galloway and moved to Alabama. [Ref, p. 4]
2. David Sibert was born in Oct 1793. He died on 11 Jul 1873 near Keener, AL. He married Elizabeth Cook.
   
3. George Sibert was born in 1798. [Ref, p. 4] He died on 15 Jul 1865 in McCormick, South Carolina. [Ref, p. 4] He married Adeline Lassiter. [Ref, p. 4] Adeline was the daughter of Isaac Lassiter. She was born in 1808 and died in 1889. [Ref] George is said to have married his wife when she was 15 years old, against the wishes of her prominent and wealthy family. [Ref, p.13]
   In 1830, George was living in Abbeville in a house hold that contained one white male 30 - 39, two white females 30 - 39, two white females, 20 - 29, one white boy and two white girls under five and nine slaves. Philip Cook, Isaac Lassiter and George Sibert are listed sequentially. [Ref]
   In 1840 George was living in Abbeville in a household that contained a white male 40 - 49; a white female 30 - 39; seven white children (a boy and three girls age five to nine and two boys and a girl under five); 14 slaves. [Ref] In 1860 George (age 62) and "Ann" (age 55) were living in Indian Hill, Abbeville with Elizabeth (age 24), Jas. H. (age 23), George M. (age 20), Louisa (age 17) Sarah (age 15), Martha (age (13), Isabella (age 11), Wesley (age 9) and Victoria (age 7). [Ref]
   Beeson says that George owned large plantations and about 200 slaves. [Ref, p.13] Beeson is probably exaggerating.
   Isaac Lassiter's will
   Descendants of George Sibert
   
4. Rachel Sibert married Unknown Lee, lived to an advanced age and died in Alabama. [Ref, p. 4]
5. Leah Sibert, twin sister of Rachel, died young. [Ref, p. 4]

Generation 2

DAVID SIBERT (1793 - 1873) of Etowah County, Alabama

Parents: John David Sibert and Unknown Wilmore [Ref, p. 4]

David Sibert was born in Oct 1793. [Ref, p. 4] He died on 11 Jul 1873 near Keener in Etowah County. [Ref, p. 4] (Google map of Etowah) He is buried in the Duck Spring Cemetery in Attalla in Etowah County. His gravestone says: DAVID SIBERT/DIED JULY 11, 1873/AGED 79 YEARS 9 MONTHS. [Ref] Click here to see a photo of his grave on the Findagrave website. He married Elizabeth Cook on 29 Nov 1820. [Ref, p. 4]

"David Sibert in the year 1819 went to St. Clair Co. Alabama took up land in the neighborhood of the present site of Asheville and built a house. He returned to Abbeville District, South Carolina, and married Elizabeth Cook, oldest child of Henry Philip Cook and his wife Margaret Susanna (Lightfoot) Cook on Nov. 29, 1820.” [Ref, p. 4]

The 1820 Census has David living in Abbeville with one male 16 - 18 and two females under 16. [Ref] “He began his long journey to his farm in St. Clair Co., Ala. with his wagons, household goods, cattle, and the necessary tools for pioneer life. He took with him his mother-in-law, then the widow of her second husband, Henry Clark, and their charming young daughter, Martha Clark. They stopped in Georgia in 1821 and made a crop, arriving in St. Clair Co., Ala. early in the year 1822. At their first meeting Curtis G. Beeson fell in love with Martha Clark, and they were married on July 29, 1822 at the home of David Sibert. David Sibert and his brother-in-law, Curtis G. Beeson, lived near neighbours in St. Clair County.” [Ref, p. 4]

David received a deed from John Cook on 28 Apr 1825 in Huntsville. He served on a jury on 6 Nov 1827 in St. Clair County. In 1830 the Siberts lived in St. Clair. In the household were one man between 30 and 40 (David), one woman between 30 and 40 (Elizabeth), two boys between five and ten (John and Henry), three boys under five (George, Jasper and Hiram), two girls under five (Martha and Mahulda) and a female slave between ten and 24. [Ref]

The Siberts moved to Big Wills Valley in DeKalb County about 1836. [Ref, p. 4] (Google map)“David Sibert purchased from the Cherokee Indians a village with about 80 acres of cleared land around it, located in Big Wills Valley about two miles west of Keener, Ala. The pride of the village was a large log house covered by thatch. The trees for this house had been hacked down by the Indians with stone axes and the bark peeled off. David Sibert and his family moved into this house and began a pioneer life again. He and his two oldest sons, John W. and Henry built the first mill in Wills Valley on Will's Creek. The mill stones for grinding wheat and the bolting cloth were purchased in France and shipped to Mobile and up the river to Wetumpka and were hauled about a hundred and fifty miles to the mill site. The mill stones for grinding corn were made from the millstone grit rock found in Lookout mountain nearby. The building was a two-story structure made of hewn timbers and sided first with split laths. The mill had turbine wheels which were made by John W. and Henry Sibert. In order to supply the inhabitants of the Wills Valley with flour and corn meal the mill had to be operated day and night and frequently on Sundays. Flour was turned out by this mill until 1918 when it was abandoned by the owner.” [Ref, p. 5]

From the History of Hokes Bluff website: "In the early history of the area, the site around Tawannah Springs was known as 'Sibert's Mill'. This mill provided the industrial means for early settlers and pioneers to have milling done." Hokes Bluff is outside of Gadsden.

In 1840 the Siberts lived in De Kalb. The household consisted of one man 40 - 50 (David), two boys 15 - 20 (John and Henry), one boy 10 - 15 (George), two boys 5 - 10 (Jasper, who was actually about 13 and William), one woman 40 - 50 (Elizabeth), two girls 10 - 15 (Martha and Mahulda), one girl 5 - 10 (Julia) and one girl under 5 (Mary). [Ref]

On 1 May 1845 David purchased 280 acres of land. [Ref] On 1 May 1848, he purchased another 40 acres. [Ref] On 2 Sep 1850 he purchased a further 40 acres. [Ref] According to the census, in 1850 David was a 57-year-old farmer with real estate worth $3,000 living in De Kalb. He was living with Elizabeth, who was 62, Julia A. who was 18, William, who was a 16-year-old farmer who had attended school that year and Mary A. who was 11 and had attended school that year. He owned eight slaves in Division 25, De Kalb. [Ref]

According to the census, in 1860 David was a 66-year-old farmer with real estate worth $3,500 and a personal estate of $18,969 living in District 3 (Duck Spring), De Kalb. He was living with Elizabeth, who was 68 and Julia, who was 27. He owned ten slaves. [Ref]

In 1870 David was 76-years old and retired. He had real estate worth $4,000 and a personal estate of $100. He lived with his daughter Mary and her family on his farm. [Ref] Mary’s husband William Beeson later bought the farm from him. [Ref]

David played a major role in the Methodist church in Wills Valley. [Ref, p. 517, 521] “[He] was an enterprising citizen, a good farmer, and he owned several slaves. He was a Local Methodist preacher. He died in his home July 16, 1873, and is buried beside his wife, Elizabeth Cook, in Duck Springs Cemetery in Big Wills Valley about 12 miles north of Gadsden.” [Ref, p. 5]

Children of David Sibert and Elizabeth Cook:

1. John Wesley Sibert was born on 1 Feb 1822 [Ref][Ref, p. 5, calls him John Wilmore Sibert] in Alabama. [Ref] He died on 10 May 1868 [Ref] in Alabama. [Ref] He married Nancy Unknown. [Ref] She was born about 1826 in Tennessee. [Ref][Ref]
   John was a Confederate soldier. [Ref, p. 5] He owned Sibert's Mill, the first mill in DeKalb County. [Ref, p. 5] He was a farmer. [Ref]
   In 1860 John was a farmer in Division 2 in DeKalb. He had real estate worth $4,200 and a personal estate of $6,000. [Ref]
   John was a private in the 9th Regiment, Alabama Cavalry (Malone's). [Ref] He was a private in Company E of the 12th Regiment of the Alabama Infantry. He enlisted on 20 Jul 1861 for a period of 12 months, but was discharged on 7 Oct 1861 for disability due to rheumatism. He described himself as 5'10" with a dark complexion, blue eyes and black hair. [Ref]
   Descendants of John Wesley Sibert
   
2. Henry Sibert was born on 4 Apr 1823 [Ref, p. 5] in St. Clair County [Ref]. [Ref] He died on 27 Nov 1892 [Ref, p. 5] in Collinsville in DeKalb County. [Ref] He is buried in the Plunket Cemetery in Collinsville. Click here to see a photo of his grave on the Findagrave website. He married Dorcas Edwards [Ref, p. 5][Ref] in about 1846 in Collinsville. [Ref] She was born on 17 Feb 1821 and died on 1 Mar 1901 in Collinsville. [Ref, p. 5] They divorced by 1880. [Ref]
   In 1860 Henry and Dorcas and their family lived in DeKalb. Henry was a farmer with real estate worth $2,000 and a personal estate of $1,000. [Ref]
   Henry was a Confederate soldier. [Ref, p. 5] He enlisted as a private in Co. G of the 31st Alabama Infantry Regiment. [Ref] This regiment was organised on 16 Mar 1862 and on 6 -7 Apr 1862 it was part of Brig. Gen. J. C. Breckinridge's First Brigade (under Col. R. P. Trabue) at Shiloh. Henry was captured on 7 April and was held as a prisoner of war at Camp Douglas, Illinois. [Ref] He was sent to the prison hospital; he suffered from erysipelas from 14 June to 20 July and from debilitas from 20 July to 27 July. [Ref] Camp Douglas was noted for its terrible conditions and high death rate. Almost all of the prisoners were gone by September, most because they had taken an oath of allegiance to the United States, had been exchanged or died. Henry later enlisted as a private from DeKalb in Co. K of the Third Confederate Cavalry. It appears that Henry was part of the group of Confederates who raided a Union wagon train on 28 Dec 1863 in Charlestown, Tennessee as Henry was captured there on that date. [Ref, 1552-1663] He was sent to Louisville, Kentucky on 14 Jan 1864 and to Rock Island, Illinois on 17 Jan 1864. He was released on 19 Jun 1865 and his name appears on a list of those who signed an oath of allegiance. He was described as being 45 years old, 6 feet tall, having a "fresh" complexion, dark brown hair and gray eyes. [Ref, 1552-1663]
   In 1870 Henry and Dorcas and their family lived in DeKalb. Henry was a farmer with real estate worth $2,000 and a personal estate of $1,000. [Ref] In 1880 Henry was a retired merchant, living with his son Robert in DeKalb. [Ref] Dorcas and Henry were divorced and Dorcas was living with her daughter Julia in DeKalb.
   Descendants of Henry Sibert and photo
   
3. Martha Jane Sibert was born on 30 May 1824 [Ref, p. 5][Ref, May 1820 in Alabama] in Keener, Etowah, Alabama. [Ref] She died on 28 Mar 1905, possibly in Lonoke, Lonoke, Arkansas. [Ref] She married William Waddell [Ref, p. 5, gives only his first name] on 24 Sep 1844 in DeKalb county. [Ref] Lloyd Sybert says that William was born on 7 Apr 1818 in Greenville, Pitt, North Carolina. [Ref] He died on 9 Aug 1871. [Ref]
   In 1850 Wm C Waddle, age 31 and born in South Carolina, was living in District 22, Marshall, Alabama with his wife Martha and his children. Martha was 25 and born in Alabama. William was a farmer with real estate worth $500. [Ref] In 1870 Wm Waddill, age 55 and born in Georgia, was living in Hickory Plain, Prairie, Arkansas with his wife Martha and his children. Martha was 49 and born in Alabama. William was a farmer with real estate worth $400 and a personal estate of $500 They had a 26-year old servant named Emily Waddill. [Ref] In 1880 Jasper Waddell, age 22 and a single farmer, was living with his mother Martha, age 56, in White River, Prairie, Arkansas. They had a 40-year-old servant named Emma Waddell. [Ref] In 1900 Mary Parker, a widow born in Nov 1848 in Alabama, was living with her children and her mother Martha J. Waddill in Lonoke, Lonoke, Arkansas. They had a 56-year old servant named Emaline Waddill. [Ref]
   Descendants of Martha Sibert
   
4. George W. Sibert was born on 1 Dec 1825 [Ref, p. 5][Ref] in St. Clair county. [Ref] He died on 20 Aug 1847 [Ref, p. 5][Ref] in Keener. [Ref] He is buried in the Duck Springs cemetery. [Ref]
5. Rev. Jasper Sibert was born on 10 Nov 1827 [Ref, p. 5][Ref, Nov 1827][Ref] in St. Clair county. [Ref] He died on 21 Jan 1915 [Ref, p. 5][Ref] in Craighead county, Arkansas. [Ref] He is buried in the Shilo church cemetery in Jonesboro. Click here to see a photo of his grave on the Findagrave website. He married first Rebecca Brown on 16 Nov 1848 [Ref, p. 5, says 1847, no day] in St. Clair county. [Ref] She died on 4 Jan 1891 [Ref, p. 5, does not give the day] in Jonesboro. [Ref] She is buried in the Shilo church cemetery. [Ref] He married second Nannie (Mary) H. Farrar about 1892. [Ref] Nannie was born in Feb 1840 in North Carolina. [Ref]
   In 1850 Jasper, age 22, and Rebecca B., age 21, lived in Division 25 DeKalb, Alabama. Jasper was a farmer. Rebecca could not read nor write. Jasper owned two slaves. [Ref] In 1860 Jasper, age 32, and Rebekkah, age 31, lived in Township 13 Range 3 East in St. Clair county. Jasper was a farmer with real estate worth $3,000 and a personal estate of $3,463. He owned two slaves. [Ref] Jasper was a Confederate soldier. [Ref, p. 5] In 1870 Jasper, age 43, and Rebecca, age 43, lived in Salem, Greene, Arkansas. Jasper was was a preacher and a farmer. He had real estate worth $1,000 and a personal estate of $300. [Ref] On 2 Oct 1870 Jasper was ordained a deacon of the Methodist-Episcopal Church South. [Ref] In 1880 Jasper, age 52, and Rebecca, age 52, were living in Poland, Greene, Arkansas. Jasper was a minister. [Ref] In 1900 Jasper, age 72, and Nannie, age 60, were living in Powell, Craighead, Arkansas. Jasper was a farmer. He and Nannie had been married for eight years. Nannie had never had children. [Ref] In 1910 Jasper, age 82, and Mary, age 70, were living in Herndon, Craighead, Arkansas. Jasper owned a farm and they had been married for 18 years. [Ref]
   Descendants of Jasper Sibert and photo
   
6. Hiram Sibert (twin) was born on 25 Feb 1829. [Ref, p. 6][Ref says 26 Feb] He died on 14 Oct 1835. [Ref, p. 6][Ref] He is buried in the Duck Springs cemetery. [Ref]
7. Mahulda Sibert (twin) was born on 25 Feb 1829. [Ref, p. 6][Ref says 26 Feb] She died on 28 Jun 1841 [Ref, p. 6][Ref] in Keener. [Ref] She is buried in the Duck Springs cemetery. [Ref]
8. Jacob Sibert was born on 12 Jan 1831. [Ref, p. 6] He died on 3 Apr 1831. [Ref, p. 6]
9. Julia Ann Sibert was born on 10 Jul 1832 [Ref, p. 6] She died on 12 Jan 1863 in Keener. [Ref, p. 6] She married Unknown Parr. [Ref, p. 6]
10. William Joshua Sibert was born on 17 Oct 1833 in St. Clair county. He died on 29 Jul 1909 in Gadsden. He married Marietta Ward.
11. Mary Ann Frances Sibert was born on 13 Sep 1838 [Ref, p. 6][Ref][Ref, Sep 1838] in Keener [Ref, entry for son John]. [Ref, DeKalb counry] She died on 16 Jul 1905 [Ref, p. 6][Ref] in Keener. [Ref] She is buried in the Duck Springs cemetery. [Ref] Click here to see a photo of her grave on the Findagrave website. She married Capt. William Baker Beeson on 2 Dec 1857 [Ref, p. 6][Ref, p. 112] in DeKalb county. [Ref] William was the son of Alford Beeson and Fanny Baker. [Ref, p. 112] He was born on 2 Oct 1829 [Ref, p. 112][Ref][Ref, Oct 1829][Ref] in Scottsboro, Jackson, Alabama [Ref, entry for son John]. [Ref, p. 1013, Jackson county] He died on 5 Dec 1924 [Ref, p. 112][Ref] in Keener. [Ref, p. 6][Ref, in Arcadia, Louisiana] He is buried in the Duck Spring Cemetery. [Ref] Click here to see a photo of his grave and a description of his life on the Findagrave website.
    William bought a farm next to near his father-in-law's. [Ref, p. 28] In 1860 William B., age 30, and Marian F., age 22, lived in District 3, DeKalb. William was a farmer with real estate worth $13,300 and a personal estate of $889. [Ref]
    William was a soldier in the Confederate army. He enlisted as a captain in Company E, 27th Alabama Infantry Regiment. He also served as an officer in Company G of the 49th Alabama Infantry Regiment.He was promoted to full colonel on 1 May 1862. He was mustered out on 31 Mar 1865 at Smithfield North Carolina. [Ref] He fought at Shiloh. He was wounded at Port Hudson, captured and sent to Johnson's Island. After his exchange he took part in the fighting around Alabama, the battles of Kinston and Bentonville and surrendered at Greensboro, North Carolina. [Ref, p. 1013] After the war he was a farmer in Big Wills valley. [Ref, p. 1013]
    After the war he bought his father-in-law's farm. [Ref, p. 28] In 1870 W. B. , age 40, and Mary H., age 31, lived in Division 42 Etowah. W. B. was a farmer with real estate worth $1,000 and a personal estate of $2,000. [Ref] In 1880 William B., age 50, and Mary A., age 40, were living in Duck Springs, Etowah, Alabama and William was a farmer. [Ref] He was a member of the Alabama legislature from 1894 to 1897. [Ref, 2;265] In 1900 William B. and Mary A. were living in Duck Springs and William was a farmer. They ahad been married for 42 years. Mary had had 11 children and nine were living. [Ref] After his wife's death he sold his farm and went to live with his youngest son. [Ref, p. 28] In 1910 William B, age 80, was a widower living in Meridian, Lauderdale, Mississippi with his youngest son. [Ref]
    "[Mary] although a quiet, pious and unobtrusive woman, yet was a great factor in the Beeson family. ... She was descended from a German family, whose ancestry had served in the Revolutionary War. She had all of that admirable thrift, management, and economy peculiar to the German people. It was often said 'Capt. Beeson made the money, but Mrs. Beeson saved it.'" [Ref, p. 12] She joined the Methodist Episcopal Church South as a girl. [Ref, p. 12]
    Descendants of Mary Ann Frances Sibert and photos

Generation 3

WILLIAM JOSHUA SIBERT (1833 - 1909) and MARIETTA WARD (1841 - 1909) of Gadsden Parents of William: David Sibert and Elizabeth Cook [Ref, p. 369][Ref, p. 6] William Joshua Sibert was born on 17 Oct 1833 [Ref, p. 6][Ref does not give the day] in St. Clair county, Alabama. [Ref, p. 369] He died on 29 Jul 1909 [Ref, p. 6] in Gadsden. [Ref, Etowah co., certificate 326] He is buried in the Forrest cemetery in Gadsden. [Ref] He married Marietta Ward on 28 Sep 1856 [Ref, p. 6] in DeKalb county. [Ref] Marietta was born on 28 Nov 1841 [Ref, p. 6] in DeKalb county. [Ref does not give the day][Ref] She died on 15 Aug 1909 in Gadsden. [Ref, p. 6] She is buried in the Forrest cemetery. [Ref] In 1850 Marietta Ward was eight and living in Division 25, DeKalb. with Elizabeth Ward (age 35, born in South Carolina), Samuel Ward (age 69, born in Virginia, a farmer with real estate worth $1,200) and Abijah Brooks (age 60, born in South Carolina, a mechanic). [Ref]. Elizabeth was probably Marietta's mother and Samuel was probably Elizabeth's husband and Marietta's father. But, given his age he could have been Marietta's grandfather. Marietta's letter to her son William

In 1860, William Sibert was a 26-year-old farmer with real estate worth $3,000 and a personal estate of $2,767. He lived in District 3, DeKalb with his wife Marietta, age 19, his daughter Charlsie, age one, and Elizabeth Ward, age 44 and born in South Carolina. According to the slave schedule of the census, he owned a single slave. [Ref]

William was a Confedrate soldier. He enlisted in Company I of the 10th Regiment of Alabama Infantry on 4 June 1861 and was elected second lieutenant. He was promoted to first lieutenant on 2 Sep 1861, but resigned on 1 Oct 1861. [Ref] His resignation was because of ill health. [Ref, p. 370] On 10 May 1862, William enlisted from Gadsden as a private in Capt. Morgan's Company of Alabama Volunteers. The company was subsequently known as Company G, 48th Alabama Infantry. [Ref] He was present at Cedar Run and Second Manasses, where he was severely wounded. [Ref, p. 370][Ref, p. 19] He was a patient in the Alabama Hospital in Richmond on 24 Sep 1862 and was furloughed for forty days. [Ref] He had by then been promoted to sargeant. [Ref] In Nov 1864 he was a private serving as a wagonmaster near Richmond. [Ref]

"[William] and a few of his companions did not surrender at Appomattox, but concluded that since they were mounted they would make a run for it across country to Alabama. The General [William L. Sibert] tells of the horse that his father rode back from the scene of the surrender. The tip of one ear had been shot off and one eye was out." [Ref, pp. 20-21]

In 1870, William was 36 and keeping a hotel in Gadsden. He had a personal estate of $500. Marietta ("Mary E.") was 28. With them lived Charlsie (11), Luther (8), Sam H. (5), Martin D. (3) and Elizabeth Ward (55). [Ref]

After the Civil War, William farmed for two years. He came to Gadsden in 1867 and was in the hotel business until 1879. [Ref, p. 370] He then turned to the mercantile business. His first business was called Barrett and Sibert, his next was Sibert and Ward. [Ref, p. 370] He was also a partner in Sibert and Blair, wholesale and retail hardward dealers. [Ref, p. 370]

In 1880, William was a 46-year-old hotel keeper in Gadsden. Marietta was 37. They lived with Luther (19), Samuel (16), Martin (13), Fannie (7) and Olin (1). William's parents are said to be from South Carolina; Marietta's from Alabama. [Ref]

In 1900, William was a 66-year old merchant in Gadsden. Marietta W. was 58. They lived with Frances (26), Olin W. (21 and working as a salesman) and a servant. Both William and Marietta's parents are said to be from South Carolina. It is said that Marietta had 10 children and that five were living. [Ref]

Some notes on the Wards

more photos

Children of William Joshua Sibert and Marietta Ward:

1. Charlsie E. Sibert was born on 15 Apr 1859 [Ref, p. 9] in DeKalb county. [Ref] She died in Aug 1915 in Gadsden. [Ref, p. 9][Ref, Etowah county] She married first William W. Wright in 1875 in Cherokee county, Alabama. [Ref] William was born in 1845. [Ref] She married second A. John Blair [Ref, p. 9, only gives his last name] on 17 Feb 1885 in Etowah county. [Ref, A. J.][First name from daughter's death record]
   In 1880 William W. Wright (age 35, born in Alabama, parents born in South Carolina) and Charlsie (age 21, born in Alabama, parents born in Alabama) were living in Gadsden with their daughter. William was working as a bookkeeper. [Ref] In 1900 Charlsie S. Blair (born in Apr 1859 in Alabama, father born in South Carolina, mother born in Alabama) was a widow living in Gadsden with her three daughters. She had had four other children who died. [Ref] In 1910 Charlsie was a 50-year-old widow living with her three daughters in Gadsden. [Ref]
   Descendants of Charlsie Sibert
   
2. Maj. Gen. William L. Sibert was born on 12 Oct 1860 in Gadsden. He died in 1935 in Bowling Green. He married first Mary Margaret Cummings. He married second Juliette Roberts. He married third Evelyn Clyne Bairnsfather.
3. Samuel Houston Sibert was born on 15 Apr 1864 [Ref, p. 10] in Gadsden. [Ref][Ref, Apr 1864 in Alabama] He died on 12 Feb 1936 [Ref, in Etowah county, does not give the day] in Gadsden. [Ref] He is buried in the Forrest cemetery in Gadsden. [Ref] He married Emma L. Penney on 26 Apr 1891 in Etowah county. [Ref, p. 10][Ref] She was born on 1 Feb 1872 in Gadsden. [Ref] She died on 10 Jan 1954 in Etowah county. [Ref] She is buried in the Forrest cemetery. [Ref]
   In 1900 Samuel H., 36, and Emma, 28, were living in Hokes Bluff, Etowah county. They had been married for nine years. Emma had had two children and both were living. [Ref, Apr 1864 in Alabama] In 1910 Samuel H., 46, and Emma L., 37, had been married for 19 years and were living in Hokes Bluff, Etowah county and Samuel was a farmer. [Ref] In 1920 Sam, 55, and Emma, 45, were living in Gadsden and Samuel was a farmer. [Ref] In 1930 Sam Sibert, 66, and Emma, 58, were living in Gadsden and Samuel was in real estate. [Ref]
   Descendants of Samuel Houston Sibert
   
4. Martin David Sibert was born on 26 Feb 1867 [Ref, p. 10] in Gadsden. [Ref] He died on 24 Oct 1896 in Gadsden. [Ref] He is buried in the Forrest cemetery in Gadsden. [Ref] He never married. [Ref, p. 10]
   

   Martin was a graduate of the University of Alabama and Lehigh University. [Ref, p. 10] He was a lawyer and editor in Gadsden. [Ref, p. 10]

   photo from [Ref]

   
   
5. George Sibert was born on 9 May 1869. [Ref, p. 10] He died in 1870. [Ref, p. 10][Ref] He is buried in the Forrest cemetery in Gadsden. [Ref]
6. Terrie Sibert was born on 15 Apr 1871 [Ref, p. 10] in Gadsden. [Ref] He (she?) died in 1875 [Ref, p. 10][Ref] in Gadsden. [Ref] He (she) is buried in the Forrest cemetery in Gadsden. [Ref]
7. Frances Bessie "Fannie" Sibert was born on 5 Mar 1873 [Ref, p. 10] in Gadsden. [Ref] She died in 1910 in Alabama. [Ref]
8. John Ward Sibert was born on 20 Mar 1877 [Ref, p. 10] in Gadsden. [Ref] He died in 1887. [Ref, p. 10][Ref says 1877] He is buried in the Forrest cemetery in Gadsden. [Ref]
9. Olin Ward Sibert was born on 23 Dec 1878 [Ref, p. 10][Ref][Ref] in Gadsden. [Ref] He died on 27 Feb 1941 [Ref, in Dallas county, certificate 3195] and is buried in the Forrest cemetery in Gadsden. [Ref] He married Emily Walker [Ref, p. 10] on 20 Dec 1905 in Elizabeth, Allegheny, Pennsylvania. [Ref] She was born on 18 May 1882 in Gadsden. [Ref][Ref, p. 10 says 1881][Ref says on 18 May 1881 in Elizabeth] She died on 15 Jun 1969, last residing in Gadsden. [Ref]
   According to his World War I draft registration card, filled in when he was 39, Olin was tall and stout, with brown hair and brown eyes and he was working in the hardware business in Gadsden. [Ref]
   In 1910, Olin W., 30, and Emily, 25, had been married for four years and were living in Gadsden. Olin was a hardware merchant. [Ref] In 1920, Olin, 41, and Emily, 34, were living in Gadsden and Olin was a hardware merchant. [Ref] In 1920, Olin, 50, and Emily, 45, were living in Gadsden and Olin was a hardware merchant. [Ref]
   Descendants of Olin Ward Sibert
   
10. Willard J. Sibert was born on 24 Oct 1882 [Ref, p. 10] in Gadsden. [Ref, "Ward J."] He died in 1883 [Ref, p. 10][Ref] in Gadsden. [Ref] He is buried in the Forrest cemetery in Gadsden. [Ref]

Generation 4

MAJ. GEN. WILLIAM LUTHER SIBERT (1860 - 1935) Parents: William Joshua Sibert [Ref] and Marietta Ward [Ref][Ref, p. 10-11] William Sibert was born on 12 Oct 1860 [Ref, p. 17, on his father's farm in Little Wills Valley, Etowah, Alabama] in Gadsden. [Ref][Ref, p. 11][Ref][Ref] He died on 16 Oct 1935 in Bowling Green, Warren, Kentucky [Ref does not give the town][Ref], at age 75, and was buried in Section 6 of the Arlington National Cemetery. [Ref] Click here to see a photo of his grave on the Findagrave website. He married first Mary Margaret Cummings on 19 Sep 1887 in the Presbyterian Church in Brownsville, Texas. [Ref][Ref][Ref, p. 11, does not give the day][Ref, 18 Sep?] He married second Juliette Roberts in June 1917. [Ref][Ref, p. 11] Juliette, the daughter of Thomas Paschall and Juliette E. (Christy) Roberts was born in Chambersburg, PA [Ref, 51;48] in about 1882. [Ref] She died in early Oct 1918; [Ref, p. 11, in 1918] a victim of the influenza pandemic. [Ref] William married third Evelyn Clyne Bairnsfather on 8 Jun 1922. [Ref, p. 11][Ref only gives the year] Evelyn was born on 1 Dec 1881 in Scotland. [Ref] She died on 22 Oct 1958; she is buried in the Forrest cemetery in Gadsden. [Ref][Ref, Etowah county, certificate 22086] She served as a nurse with the American Expeditionary Forces from 14 July 1918 to 15 March 1919. [Ref] William Sibert's entry in the Alabama Hall of Fame begins with, "William Luther Sibert, son of an Etowah County farmer, was an officer of the Corps of Engineers, U. S. Army, who became one of the world's great engineers. His works include the Atlantic section of the Panama Canal, and the Alabama State Docks. A soldier, he served with distinction as an infantry division commander and as first director of the Chemical Warfare Service during World War I." He commanded the First Infantry Division, American Expeditionary Forces in France, in the First World War. [Ref] William was 6'1" with a fair complexion, brown eyes and dark hair. [Ref] William entered the University of Alabama in 1878. [Ref, p. 24] He entered West Point in 1880 and graduated in 1884. [Ref, pp. 25, 30] He was commissioned a second lieutenant of the engineers on 15 Jun 1884. [Ref] He became a first lieutenant in 1888. [Ref] In 1892 William was in charge of the Sault Ste. Mari Canal improvements. [Ref] In 1896 be was promoted to captain. [Ref] In 1898 at the outbreak of the Spanish War,he was named Chief Engineer of the Eigth Army Corps. [Ref] After a few months he was appointed Chief Engineer of the Manila & Dagupan Railway. [Ref] In 1900 William returned to the United States and was assigned various river improvements. "[W]ithin a few years [he] came to be recognized as the most efficient river and harbor engineer in the country. There is hardly a navigable river east of the Rockies with the development of which one way or another he has not been identified." [Ref] In 1904 he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. [Ref] William was appointed as one of the three assistants to George W. Goethals, the Chief Engineer of the Panama Canal and was assigned the task of building the Gatun locks and dam. [Ref] He also constructed the west breakwater in Colon harbour and excavated the channel from Gatun to the Atlantic. [Ref] In 1914 William went to China as chief engineer on a Red Cross flood control project [Ref] in the Huai River Valley. [Ref] On 4 Mar 1915 he was appointed Brigadier General. [Ref] On 8 Jun 1917 he was appointed Major General. [Ref] When World War I broke out, William was placed in command of the First Division, A.E.F., and remained in France until the end of 1918. [Ref] After the war, William returned home to take command of the Southeastern Department, with headquarters in Charleston, South Carolina. [Ref] He was the director of the Chemical Warfare Department, U. S. Army, which he organised, from May 1918 to Feb 1920. [Ref] He retired on 4 Apr 1920. [Ref] William was appointed Commander and Chief Engineer of the Alabama Docks Commission in Nov 1923. [Ref] He was chairman of the board of engineers and geologists, appointed in 1925, to report on the economic and engineering feasibility of the Boulder Dam. [Ref] Between 1929 and 1930 he was the president of the American Association of Port Authorities. [Ref] William recieved the Distinguished Service Medal for his services in World War I. [Ref] He was a Commander of the French Legion of Honor. [Ref] He received honorary degrees from the University of Nebraska and the University of Alabama. [Ref] more photos William Luther Sibert's genealogy notes

Obituary

In 1900 William L. (m. 1888 [!], a line drawn through boxes for other details), his wife Mary C. (b. Aug. 1862 in Texas, father born in Maine, mother born in Maryland) and his children (father born in Alabama, mother born in Texas) W. Olin (b. Oct 1889 Kentucky), Franklin C. (b. Jan 1891 Kentucky), Harold W. (b. May 1892 in Kentucky), Edwin L. (b. Mar 1897 in Arkansas), Martin D. (b. Sep 1891 in Arkansas), Mary E. (b. Aug 1899 in Arkansas) lived in Fort Totten, Queens, NY. [Ref] In 1920 William was a widower (age 59, born in Alabama, parents born in Alabama) living by himself in Washington, DC. [Ref] In 1930 William (age 69, born in Alabama, parents born in Alabama) and Evelyn (age 48, born in Scotland, parents born in Scotland) were living in Bowling Green. [Ref]

Children of William Luther Sibert and Mary Margaret Cummings:

1. Charles Martin Sibert was born on 15 Aug 1888 in New Port [?], Kentucky. He died in infancy.
2. Col. William Olin Sibert was born on 23 Oct 1889 [Ref, p. 11] in Bowling Green [Ref]. He died on 14 Dec 1935 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, age 46. [Ref] He married Elizabeth Collins Carson on 12 Apr 1916. [Ref, p. 11] Elizabeth was the daughter of Dr. James Oliver [Ref] and Margaret (Poindexter) Carson. [Ref, p. 63-64] She was born on 8 Jul 1897 in Bowling Green. [Ref]
   Maj. William Sibert was awarded a silver star for gallantry in action while serving with the 77th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, in the Argonne Forest, France on 26 Sep 1918. [Ref] William was a colonel in the Chemical Warfare Service. [Ref] He worked for the Bulova Watch company. [Ref]
   
3. Maj. Gen. Franklin Cummings Sibert was born on 3 Jan 1891 [Ref, p. 11][Ref] in Bowling Green. [Ref][Ref] He died on 24 Jun 1980 in Escambia county, Florida. [Ref] He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. [Ref] He married Helen Mildred Rogers on 4 Mar 1913. [Ref, p. 11][Ref] She was born on 13 Jun 1893 [Ref, says 1892] in Beloit, Wisconsin and died on 18 May 1959 [Ref] in Washington, DC. [Ref] She was buried on 20 May 1959 in Arlington National Cemetery. [Ref]
   Franklin Sibert graduated from West Point in 1912. [Ref] He was a Major General on the staff of Joseph W. Stilwell, taking part in the retreat from Burma. [Ref] He commanded the 6th Division and X Corps in the Pacific Theater of World War II. [Ref]
   
4. Prof. Harold Ward Sibert was born on 9 May 1892 [Ref, p. 11][Ref] in Bowling Green. He died on 17 Dec 1973 [Ref][Ref] in Denver, Denver, Colorado. [Ref] He was buried on 14 May 1794 in Arlington National Cemetery. [Ref] He married first Marjorie Ann Doster in Feb 1924. [Ref] She died on 10 Dec 1927 [Ref] in Cincinnati, Hamilton, Ohio. [Ref] He married second Florence Travers on 6 Aug 1930. [Ref] Florence was born on 30 Oct 1898 and died on 11 May 2000. [Ref][Ref]
   Harold received his BS from Cornell in 1914. [Ref] He received his MS and PhD from the University of Cincinnati. [Ref]
   While at Cornell, Harold won the second annunal novice foil competition for the Clemens Medal on 9 Apr 1911. [Ref]
   Harold was a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Airforce during World War II and the Korean War. [Ref] He was a professor in the department of aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder. [Ref] He wrote the textbook High Speed Aerodynamics. [Ref]
   Photo of Harold Ward Sibert
   
5. John Tracy Sibert was born on 28 May 1894 in Detroit. He died on 30 Dec 1894 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is buried in the Little Rock National Cemetery in Little Rock. [Ref]
6. Maj. Gen. Edwin Luther Sibert was born on 2 Mar 1897 in Little Rock. He died on 16 Dec 1977 in McLean, Fairfax, Virginia. He married Laura Carey.
7. Martin David Sibert was born on 11 Sep 1898 [Ref, p. 11] in Arkansas. He died on 29 Apr 1960 in Birmingham, Jefferson, Alabama. [Ref, gives his parents' names] He married first Hannah White in 1932. [Ref] She died in 1935. [Ref] He married second Velma Lorene Martin in 1936 in Kentucky. [Ref] Velma was the daughter of Oria and Catherine (Haubner) Martin. [Ref] She was born about 1908. [Ref] She died on 31 Jul 1969 in Gadsden. [Ref]
   Martin enlised at Manhattan, Kansas as a private in the 12th U.S. Infantry in World War I. [Ref]He was wounded while serving in the American Expeditionary Force Siberia in World War I.
   
8. Mary Elizabeth Sibert was born on 18 Aug 1899 [Ref, p. 11] in Fort Totten, Long Island, New York. [Ref] She died on 1 Nov 1989. [Ref] She married Sewell Smith. [Ref] Sewell was born on 26 Jul 1904. [Ref] He died on 27 Dec 1988 in Berkeley, Almeda, CA. [Ref]
   Mary attended Mount Holyoke College. [Ref]
   Sewell Smith invented a boardgame named "Boom". See Eleanor Roosevelt's comments.

Generation 5

MAJ. GEN. EDWIN LUTHER SIBERT (1897 - 1977) Parents: Maj. Gen. William L. Sibert [Ref][Ref] and Mary Margaret Cummings [Ref][Ref, p. 11] Edwin Sibert was born on 2 Mar 1897 in Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas. [Ref][Ref][Ref][Ref, p. 11][Ref] He died on 16 Dec 1977 [Ref] in McLean, Fairfax, VA. [Ref][Ref] He is in Arlington National Cemetery. [Ref] Click here to see a photo of his grave on the Findagrave website. He married Laura Carey [Ref] on 10 May 1919 [Ref, p. 11] at the Church of the Incarnation in New York, New York. [Ref] More photos, advice to his son In 1920, Edwin L. Sibert (age 22, born in Arkansas, father born in Alabama, mother born in Texas) and Laura Sibert (age 21, born in Washington, father born in New Mexico, mother born in Tennessee) were living in Fort Meyer, Alexandria, Virginia. [Ref] In 1930, Edwin L. Sibert (age 33, in the army, born in Arkansas, father born in Alabama, mother born in the United States) and Laura Sibert (age 32, born in Washington, father born in New Mexico, mother born in Tennessee) were living in Lawton, Comanche, Oklahoma with their three children. [Ref]

References

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Ancestry.com. Alabama, Deaths and Burials Index, 1881-1974, on-line database, Provo, UT, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

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Beeson, Jasper Luther, Beeson Genealogy, Macon, Ga, Burke Co., 1988.

Beeson, Luther J., The Sibert Family of South Carolina and Alabama, Mobile, AL, Acme Press, 1928.

Bernheim, G. D., History of the German Settlements and the Lutheran Church in North and South Carolina, Philadelphia, The Lutheran Book Store, 1872.

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No author, "Brilliant Wedding: Marriage of Lieutenant W. S. Sibert and Miss Mamie Cummings at Brownsville," The Galveston Daily News, Houston, September 19, 1887; pg. 2; Issue 146; col D.

No author, Cemetery Survey, Etowah County, Alabama, Gadsden, AL, Church of Latter Day Saints, 1963.

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No author, Official Roster of Ohio Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the World War, 1917-1918, Vols. 1-23, Columbus, OH, F. J. Heer Printing Co., 1926.

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William Luther Sibert's (first) wedding invitation.

Wolford, Violet, Handwritten Diary, 1918.