My Genealogy Hound

EUGENE W. CRIBBS, an influential citizen of Benton Township and one of the prominent men of southwestern Michigan, was born in Berrien County, Mich., June 7, 1845, and is of German descent on his father’s side. His father, Jacob, was the son of George Cribbs and was one of the early settlers of Berrien County, coming hither in the pioneer days and becoming closely associated with the development of the resources of this part of the State. His occupation was that of a farmer, and although he never gained great wealth through his agricultural operations, yet he secured a competency and was enabled to surround his family with the comforts of life. His wife was Janett B. McKeyes, a native of New York, and a daughter of Samuel McKeyes, who located in Berrien County in 1830.

In the schools of Berrien County our subject gained a practical knowledge of the “three R’s,” and by subsequent reading and the exercise of close observation he acquired a broad and liberal knowledge of men and things. Upon reaching his majority, he engaged in the buying and shipping of stock, and continued in that business until 1880. During that year he removed to Van Buren County and, locating upon a farm there, commenced to till the soil, and in addition to general farming operations he also was extensively occupied as a stock-raiser. For ten years he resided in that county, where he became well known as a successful farmer and enterprising citizen. In 1890 he came to the place he now occupies, just outside of the city limits of Benton Harbor, and has since made his home in this place, being now engaged in business as a breeder of trotting-horses. He owns a number of fine horses, which he has raised and trained.

When less than twenty years of age Mr. Cribbs enlisted in 1864 as a member of the United States army, belonging to the Sixteenth Michigan Infantry, which was assigned to the Fifth Army Crops. He rendered faithful and efficient service in defense of the Union until the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Philadelphia, Pa. Politically, he makes it his constant aim to promote the interests of the Republican party, of which he is an influential member. An enterprising and public-spirited citizen, he may always be relied upon to give his support toward the measures calculated to advance the welfare of the community.

Mr. Cribbs has a comfortable home on the corner of Brittain and Fair Avenues and is also the owner of other real estate. He was married October 16, 1866, to Miss Nettie, daughter of James and Ann (Putney) Peters, natives of New York. Mrs. Cribbs is also a native of the same State. Three children have been born of this union: Jennie B., wife of Irving Evans and a resident of Athens, Ill.; Ernest E. and Willard C.