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- Daniel Brown Hibbard's father died when he was four years old and after reaching the age of twelve he left school and for the next six years earned his living by various occupations. He came to Jackson, June 1, 1836 with three dollars as his total cash assets for starting life in a new country. But he was accustomed to hard work and was not at all discouraged and soon secured a job driving stage at fourteen dollars a month. Later he entered the employ of Paul B. Ring and drove stage to Adrian.
His fortunes mended and in time he became owner of several stage lines. In company with Morris Knapp he started a line of daily stages to Lansing and drove the first stage and carried the first mail to that point after it was selected as the state capital. He was interested in lines running to Grand Rapids, Detroit, Adrian, Hillsdale, Chicago and other places. These were continued until the railroads supplanted them.
He brought the first steel spring iron axle buggy to Jackson, established the first livery stable and by his means and under his supervision the Hibbard house was built. He was also largely interested in erecting the first electric light plant in the city, and built the opera house that bears his name. He also organized the Hibbard Rheumatic Syrup company,recently removed to Detroit. He early took an active interest in the breeding of fine horses, and to him is due much of the credit which this county and section have gained in this direction. He was also an extensive owner of real estate, both in the city and throughout the state. He was also a stockholder in the People's National bank.
Politically he was a staunch democrat and took an active part in the battles of his party. He was not an office seeker, but in 1865 was elected mayor of Jackson and served one year. Personally he was a man of plain unassuming manners, warmly attached to his friends, never uncertain in his convictions of right and wrong and never lacking the courage to stand by them. Though somewhat irascible at times, his impulses were entirely kindly and his warm heart led him to perform many acts of charity in a way that the world did not know of. By most of his acquaintances he was known as "Uncle Dan."
In 1840 he was married to Esther Darrah. They had four children, William of Little Rock, AR., Daniel B., Mrs. E. R. Smith and Mrs. Elizabeth Burrell. [1]
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