JOSEPH M. CRIBBS, a retired conductor, veteran of
the Civil war,
residing at Blairsville, was born in Clarion county, Pa., April 2,
1846,
son of John and Peninah (Tax) Cribbs.
John Cribbs was born in Indiana county, Pa., and
was a blacksmith
by trade, following his calling in Westmoreland, Butler, Clarion, and
Indiana counties. He was three times married, and when the Civil
war
broke out he was the father of eighteen living children and seven
grandchildren. Seven of his sons and seven grandsons took part
in the
Civil war, and three of them were killed on the battlefield.
He had nine
children by the mother of Joseph M. Cribbs, who was born in Clarion
county, and four of these children now survive [at the time of this
old
biography].
Joseph M. Cribbs early began to be self-supporting,
and when he
was only eight years old he engaged to work for James Shields for three
dollars per month and his board. Continuing with this man for
six years,
the little fellow learned some hard lessons aside from those taught
in
the winter terms of school which he attended. At the age of fourteen
he
became employed at the Red Brick furnace and remained there until the
outbreak of the Civil war. Although only sixteen years old he
enlisted
in June, 1862, as a member of Company C, 1st Battallion, Independent
Cavalry, and served six months, when he was honorably discharged at
Pittsburg. Not satisfied, this patriotic young man reenlisted,
in
Company A, 14th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, under Colonel
Schoonmaker, and was mustered in at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
He was
made quartermaster sergeant in the spring of 1865, and so continued
until
his discharge. His company operated in Virginia, and with
Sheridan
marched from Winchester to Petersburg and back to the old camp.
After
the surrender of General Lee they marched to Fairfax Station, where
they
remained until the grand review at Washington, in which the regiment
participated. They were then sent to Maryland, but after a week
in camp
were sent to Fort Leavenworth, Kans., whence they went along the old
trail to Ft. Kearney, and then to Fort Laramie. The next
station was
Fort Connor, where they built a stockade, and then returned to Ft.
Laramie. From the latter place, they cut across country
to the Black
Hills, and thence to Denver, Colo., and several of the men, including
Mr.
Cribbs, made the trip to Pike's Peak. The regiment then returned
to Fort
Leavenworth, via Fort Riley, and they were mustered out in November
1865.
After one year spent at home, Mr. Cribbs enlisted in February,
1867, in the regular army, in Battery E, 3d Light Artillery, and was
stationed in North Carolina and Florida during his three years service.
Returning home once more, at the expiration of this period, Mr. Cribbs
turned his attention to railroading, first as a track builder and next
as
a brakeman. Two years later he was given charge of a work and
wrecking
train, which he operated for six years. Having proved his reliability
to
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company in this manner, he was made conductor
of a freight train from Blairsville to Allegheny and Conemaugh, and
continued as a conductor on this road for forty-one years, three months,
ten days, retiring in 1911. He was known among railroad men as
the
"lively conductor," and was often called upon in cases of emergency
when
a rapid man was required. A favorite alike with his company and
the men,
he numbers thousands as his warm, personal friends, and enjoys meeting
them whenever occasion offers.
In 1870 Mr. Cribbs was united in marriage with Nancy
Jane Barr,
daughter of Thomas Barr, of Blacklick Station. They have had
children as
follows: Ollie Estella, who is the wife of Ameheny Baker, of
Blairsville; T. P., who lives in Blairsville; Fairoby, who is the wife
of
W. H. Floyd, of Blairsville; Paulina, deceased; Joseph M., deceased;
John
R., who lives in Blairsville; and June, who is the wife of Arthur
Nesbett, of Blairsville.
A member of Findley Patch Post, No. 137, G.A.R.,
Mr.
Cribbs was
elected its commander in 1912. He is a consistent member
of the United
Presbyterian Church. Faithful in all things, Mr. Cribbs was a
brave
soldier and an efficient conductor, and can look back with pride on
his
long and useful life.
- HISTORY OF INDIANA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, pages 1394-1395