Mom's Family: the Dibbles
Paul Dibble's Forefathers
and Early Days of His Life
Grandpa Paul Dibble's grandfather was Asa Doughty. He is in the left photo above with the beard. He fought at the battle of Gettysburg on the Union side and was a prominent man in South Dakota. Grandpa's father was James Dibble; and his mother was Hettie Doughty. My Grandma Marie Dibble is in the picture in the right photo above while still living in Denmark where she was born and spent her childhood.
The following photos were taken in South Dakota between the years 1905 and 1917. The two photos on the porch of the old house include Asa, James, Hettie and their kids. James Dibble was a preacher in the Methodist church and established a series of churches in South Dakota, including the one shown here. The photo after the church building is of Hettie and Grandma Dibble.
Marie (Bjerno) Dibble's Early Days
My Grandma Marie Bjerno was born in Denmark and moved first to Chicago, then to South Dakota with the dream of becoming a missionary. Her parents' surname was Larson, which they changed to Bjerno.
Paul and Maria's Wedding
and Mission to India
Paul and Marie were married in 1923. The day they married they caught a boat for India where they were missionaries until 1929. My mom and Uncle Birney were born in India. The rest of the photos in this group were of all of them as well as some of the many they came to know and help.
Paul and Maria's Return
to Life in America
After coming back to America Paul and Marie settled in Illinois where Paul became a minister. The church building and house is where they lived when I have my first memories of our family visiting them.
