Born: Lucas County, Iowa, March 27, 1809.
Died:
F. GRAHAM RIBBLE was born in Lucas county, Iowa, March 27th, 18O9. His parents were of the highly intellectual and benevolent type of mind, and Graham inherits those characteristics. His mother, who was a devoted Christian, died when he was of tender age; leaving four children, of whom he was the youngest. In a letter to the writer, he thus alludes to that touching event:
"Here transpired a scene that no pen can picture. Being conscious of death, she gathered her little ones around her, and kissed them farewell till we all should meet in a brighter world than this! For which she poured forth a prayer to him with whom she was not a stranger—and such a prayer as only a dying Christian mother can offer. I have felt its power a thousand times. It has encouraged me to press onward and upward, when all else seemed to retard my progress."
In the year 1867 his father moved to Texas, and settled in Lamar county, where he died some years later. Bro. Graham Ribble confessed Christ during a meeting held at Naomi Academy, in Lamar county, and was baptized by Laurence W. Scott, the fourth Sunday in October, 1876. His brother, Abe Ribble, who had been trying to be a Universalist preacher, united with the church during the sarme meeting, and is now one of the elders in the congregation at Roxton. Graham was married to Miss Mary L. Arrington, August 10th, 1880, Bro. John W. Denton officiating. Being, as he is, a natural orator, Bro. Ribble was not in the church many years till he began preaching; but was not formally set apart till the first Lord's day in May, 1886. He has held some very successful protracted meetings, and is capable of doing much good if he had a fair chance. His sermon bears the impress of originality and genius. He pursues the calling of a planter, and preaches as he has opportunity. His address is Sanger, Denton county, Texas.