ROBERT McKIBBIN, SR.

Robert McKibbin, Sr. was born about 1795 and was a native of County Down, Ireland.

Dr. McKibbin arrived in Honolulu aboard the "Pons Aelii" from Liverpool on April 27, 1855. The following September he ran this notice in the "Polynesian": "Dr. McKibbin, Surgeon, informs the inhabitants and visitors of Honolulu and neighborhood, that he intends to practice in the different branches of his profession, and hopes he may rest his claims to their confidence, on an experience of nearly 40 years as a practitioner in a large seaport and manufacturing town (Belfast); to the principal hospital of which he was for many years attached as operating Surgeon. In private practice, the diseases of women and children have received much of his study and attention. Residence---the house lately occupied by J.C. Spaulding, Esq. Union Street."

Dr. McKibbin was accompanied to Honolulu by his wife, Jane, three daughters, Anna, Mary, and Jenny, and his younger son, Alexander. His older son, Robert, Jr., followed the family to Honolulu in November, 1856, and became one of the prominent doctors of his time.

On the arrival of his son, Dr. McKibbin left the active practice of medicine to him and spent his time in managing the drug store which bore his name. However, he did not lose his interest in medical matters and was appointed by the Board of Health in August, 1859, one of a committee of three doctors to form a Board of Examiners to pass on the qualifications of applicants for physicians' license. Shortly thereafter the Board refused to license a Chinese doctor trained in China, but when this decision was criticized as an injustice in the papers, the matter was reconsidered with Dr. Edward Hoffmann and Dr. Seth P. Ford voting this time to grant the license and Dr. McKibbin standing firm as opposed. In May, 1856, the doctor was one of the signers of the charter of incorporation of the Hawaiian Medical Society.

Dr. McKibbin died in Honolulu on March 11, 1876, at the age of 81.

In the notice of his death the "Advertiser" stated: "Dr. McKibbin had resided here since 1855 and was much esteemed as a gentleman, philosopher, and a Christian."

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