Andrew E. Ibson, who is engaged in farming and dairying in Yorkville Township, also owns three hundred and twenty acres of valuable land in New Mexico. A native of Raymond Township, Racine County, he was born on the 27th of August, 1865, a son of Hans and Gertrude (Hansen) Ibson, both natives of Denmark, the former born on the isle of Zealand in March, 1816, and the latter on the isle of Langland, on the 28th of January, 1828. They were married in their native country on the 25th of May, 1858, and six years later came to the United States, reaching Chicago on the 1st of July, 1864. About the first of the following September they located in Raymond Township, this County. While on their way here from Chicago the family was exposed to smallpox in Racine and two of the children died of that disease. The father purchased thirty-five acres of land to which he later added twenty acres. For the first two years of his residence here the family home was a log cabin but he subsequently built a substantial farmhouse. Three years later, however, this was replaced by a still large structure which remained the family residence for fifteen years. At the end of that time they came to Yorkville Township and purchased the forty acre tract on which Andrew E. is still living. In 1840 Mr. Ibson joined the Baptist church in, Denmark and was subjected to much persecution on account of his religious allegiance. His wife and her parents were also members of that church and likewise suffered persecution. Mr. Ibson became a naturalized citizen of the United States and staunchly supported the candidates and measures of the Republican Party. He passed away on the 18th of June, 1896, and was survived by his wife until the 20th of January, 1908. To their union was born but one son. The father, however, had been previously married, and by his first wife who died in Denmark, had three children. Peter Christian, who came to the United States and joined the Federal army, participating in the Civil War, was wounded while at the front and during his later years drew a pension from the government; Mary Christine is the wife of James P. Anderson, a painter of Racine; and Sina Carrie is the wife of C. J. Jacobson, a retired farmer living in Hastings. Nebraska. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Christian Hansen, passed his entire life in Denmark and served in the army, participating in the campaign which led to the downfall of Napoleon.
Andrew E. Ibson received his education in the district schools and on reaching mature years took up the occupation of farming, to which he had been reared. He assisted his father until the latter’s demise and then inherited the homestead of forty acres which he is now cultivating. He raises some grain but gives the greater part of his attention to dairying and receives a good income from the sale of milk. In addition to his home farm he owns a half section of land in New Mexico. He is industrious, practical and progressive and has accumulated a competence.
Mr. Ibson was united in marriage on the 18th of February, 1892. to Miss Annie Christina Moeller, who was born in Holstein, Germany, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Jacob Moeller. The former was born at Gravenstein, Germany, which was at that time a part of Holland, and was a son of John Haman, but he operated a mill, which fact led him to change his name to Moeller. He flied February 24, 1881, in Holstein, Germany. He was married twice and had five children by his first marriage and ten by his second, Mrs. Ibson being the fifth child of the second marriage. Her mother came to the new world in 1883 and settled in Racine County. To Mr. and Mrs. Ibson have been born four children: Ada L., who is a graduate of the Union Grove high school, and attended the Milwaukee Normal school, and the Whitewater Normal school, was formerly engaged in teaching but is now at home: Gertrude E. is a high school graduate; and Ansine and Daniel are attending school.
The parents attend the Baptist church, in which faith Mr. Ibson was reared, and their influence is always on the side of righteousness and justice. He supports the Prohibition Party at the polls, believing that the solution of the liquor problem will also mean the solution of many other vexing questions of the day. His entire life has been passed in Racine County and he has thoroughly identified his interests with those of the community, being at all times willing to aid in any way possible in promoting the general good.
