History of Wexford County, MI. Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 205 - 206

LEMUEL A. TIBBITS

Each calling or business, if honorable, has its place in human existence, constituting a part of the plan whereby life's methods are pursued and man reaches his ultimate destiny. Emerson said, "All are needed by each one." That is as true in one avenue of life's activities as in another. However, the importance of a business or professionl is in a very large measure determined by its usefulness and the benefits it bestows on humanity. The career of the subject of this review, Lemuel A. Tibbits, of Selma township, has certainly been a useful one and the record of its achievements proves very conclusively the inestimable benefits he has bestowed on humanity by his labors in the school room and in the education of the young. Lemuel A. Tibbits was born in the city of Rochester, New York, August 24, 1858. He was reared in his native city and there the greater part of his education was secured in De Grasse Military and Collegiate Institute at Rochester. In 1874, when but sixteen years of age, he came to Michigan and secured employment on a farm in Washtenaw county. For seven years he worked as a farm hand, arranging his affairs so that he was enabled to attend school two terms. That he profited well by those two terms at school is shown by the fact that they qualified him for entering the school room as a teacher. In 1881 he came to Wexford county, secured a district school to teach and has since engaged continuously in that honorable vocation. No other teacher of Wexford county has so long continuously engaged in the calling in that county, and there are very few teachers in northern Michigan who have been engaged in the business, as he has been, in one county for twenty-two years. Fifteen of those terms were employed in one district, No. 5. In 1883 he had accumulated sufficient from his savings to purchase forty acres of land in section 2, Selma township, where he established a home and where he has since resided. At present the land is nearly all cleared, well cultivated and improved with good, substantial buildinigs and other necessary appurtenances. September 1, 1886, Lemuel A. Tibbits was united in marriage to Miss Frances E. Beckwith, whose parents were among the early settlers of Wexford county. Nathan Beckwith is still living, while his good wife passed to her eternal rest February 22, 1902. Lelmuel A. and Frances E. Tilbbits in the goodness of their hearts have adopted a little girl, by name Jessie M., an intelligent, winsome little lady, now attending school. In all educational matters the subject of this article is very much interested. For six years he has served as county school examiner, a position through which the standard of education in a county may be easily lowered or raised. During the years of his administration of the office it is generally conceded that the educational interests of the county were never better attended to and to his influence and wisely directed labors much of it is due. He has served as township clerk, township treasurer and he has been commissioied by the governor of the state a notary public. He is a member of the Pleasant Lake Grange and quite active in the affairs of the order. At present he is the lecturer of the local grange and also of the Wexford County Grange. Beginning life with practically nothing, thrown upon his own resources in a strange commonwealth at the early age of sixteen years, deficient in education, through the industry, integrity and the many other noble qualities of which he is possessed, he has surmounted every obstacle and is now recognized as one of the most progressive, publicspirited citizens of Wexford county. Others may have more to show in the way of material wealth accumulated in the same length of time, but certainly there are very few who have bestowed as many blessings upon the community as he has. His labors, in the school room alone are worth more to the country and to humanity than the entire lifework of any another man.