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- William Herbert Kibler, M.D. (picture included)
The Heritage of Burke County, Morganton, North Carolina
Dr. William Herbert Kibler, the son of William Michael Kibler and Louisa Henrietta Bristol, was born on Marcy 7, 1884 in Burke County, North Carolina. The Kibler family first came to North Carolina in 1758 when Jacob Kibler, who was born in 1722, and his wife, Mary Butts, migrated to the western part of Rowan County, now Burke County, from Pennsylvania where they had married in 1754.
Their son, David, born in 1760, married a Miss Martin in 1785. Their son, Michael, born in 1790, married Catharine Lowrance in 1818. Their son, Milas Michael, born in 1827, and Evelina Johnson whom he married in 1848 were the parents of William Michael Kibler and the grandparents of Dr. William Herbert Kibler.
Dr. Kibler had two brothers and three sisters. His brothers were Michael Benedict, born in 1875, and Ralph Emory, born in 1886. His sisters were Bessie Augusta, born in 1876, Edith Henrietta, born in 1879, and Flora Louisa, born in 1881.
The early education of Dr. Kibler was in the Bruce Payne School and the Logan Patton School. He entered the University of North Carolina in 1902 and was graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1906. While studying at the University, he worked as an assistant in zoology and continued in this position for a year after graduation. He received a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1914.
Always eager to keep up-to-date in medical science, he attended postgraduate courses at Harvard Medical School, Cook County Hospital in Chicago, the University of Michigan, and New York Polytechnic Institute. In addition every year for twenty years he took postgraduate courses at the University of North Carolina.
Prior to enrolling in medical school, he was a teacher in Durham High School, 1907 - 1910; a biology rteacher at Guilford College 1910-1912; a street car condcutor; and a shoe salesman.
After receiving the degree in medicine for the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Kibler participated in hookworm eradication research for the Rockefeller FOundation in Dutch Guiana South America. He practiced medicine in Sevier, N.C. and served as county health officer for the North Carolina Board of Health in Nash County.
He practiced medicine in Valdese, Drexel, Connelly Springs, Rutherford College, Icard and Hildebran. Then he established a medical practice in Morganton in 1923 and continued as an outstanding physician for approximately fifty years until 1972.
He taught anatomy to the nurses in training at Grace Hospital from 1923 to 1955, was a member of the Burke County Board of Health from its inception until 1972, was chairman of the Extension Division of the University of North Carolina Medical School for Burke County and surrounding coutnies for about twenty years, was chief of staff of Grace Hospital for two terms, and was president of the Ninth District Medical Society.
He held membership in the American Medical Association, the North Carolina Medical Society, and the American Association of General Practice. For four years he was a member of the North Carolina Hospital Board of Controls.
Dr. Kibler was the recipient of numberous honors. He was Burke County Physician of the Year 1956, Morganton Man of the Year 1959, and General Practitioner of the Year for North Carolina in 1956. On March 20, 1964 he was presented the distinguished service award by the Medical School of the University of North Carolina and on December 31, 1973 the Burke County Board of Health presented him a plaque in recognition of thirty-sex years of service.
Upon his return from Dutch Guiana in 1918, Dr. Kibler was awaiting a call to enter the Armed Services when World War I ended. During World War II he was an examining physician for Burke County Local Draft Board #1.
Dr. Kibler was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church in Morganton and a life member of the board of stewards of that church.
Dr. Kibler was active in community affairs. Prior to his study of medicine he was Acting Deputy Clerk of Burke County Superior Court. He was President of the Morganton Rotary Health Club, 1950-51. He was Chairman of the Health Committee of the Chamber of Commerce that led in the movement to obtina meat inspection for Burke County.
Dr. Kibler married Lucy Cornelia Bassett of Fort Valley, Georgia, on August 9, 1926 in Chicago. They had two daughters: Lucy Maud, who was born September 13, 1927, and Flora, who was born May 30, 1930. Flora married Philip George Luckhardt, who was born August 18, 1930. Their four children are Lucy Anne, born March 23, 1961, Mildrec Corell, born December 21, 1962; Amelia Kibler, born Jan.2, 1966; and George William, born June 1, 1971.
Dr. Kibler was ambitious and determined through many years to reach his goal of becoming a good doctor. He became an outstanding and dedicated physician serving Burke County people for half a century. He was a person of great integrity exemplifying high principles in medicine, church affairs, and family life. He was always loyal to his community, state, country, and God. He died in Morganton on February 25, 1975 and is buried in Forest Hill Cemetery at Morganton. Written by Lucy Bassett Kibler and Lucy Maud Kibler.
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Bassett Family Association Database
- 1975