John Hibbard

John Denison Hibbard (July 31, 1864 – November 17, 1937) was an American baseball pitcher and businessman. He played for the Chicago White Stockings in 1884. He also pitched four years of college baseball at the University of Michigan from 1884 to 1887 and played briefly for the Hamilton Clippers of the International League in 1886. From 1887 to 1923, he had a successful career in the metals and manufacturing businesses in Chicago. He served as president of the John Davis Co., Davis Construction Co., North American Securities Co., the Chicago Metal Trades Association, and the Central Supply Association. He also served as the commissioner of the National Metal Trades Association from 1913 to 1922.

Early years Hibbard was born in Chicago. His father, Homer Nash Hibbard, was a Vermont native who attended Harvard Law School and then established a law practice in Chicago. The younger Hibbard grew up in Chicago, attended public primary school, and prepared for college at Hyde Park High School.

University of Michigan

In the fall of 1883, he enrolled at the University of Michigan as part of the first class of six students in the mechanical engineering program. While attending Michigan, Hibbard was also a member of the University Athletic Board, the University Glee Club, and the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Despite his brief stint in professional baseball in the summer of 1884, Hibbard returned to play for Michigan for three more years.

Business career

After graduating from Michigan, Hibbard worked as a metallurgical engineer.

While associated with The John Davis Co., Hibbard also served as the president of the Chicago Metal Trades Association. In July 1904, McClure's Magazine wrote:"The Chicago Metal Trades Association is an organization of more than one hundred manufacturers, employing 15,000 men. Its president is John D. Hibbard . . . Mr. Hibbard is the genius of the association, a man of enthusiasm and earnestness, a graduate of the University of Michigan, with a training in fair play on the college ball field." In July 1914, Hibbard appearance before the Commission on Industrial Relations conducting an investigation of industrial conditions and relations in Chicago. Hibbard testified in opposition to the labor union movement and collective bargaining. He testified that the National Metals Trade Association was made up of manufacturers of automobiles, anchors, chains, motorcycles, machine tools, and "almost anything that is made in the ordinary machine shop." During his time as commissioner, the organization grew from 732 to 1,013 members.

Hibbard retired in 1924.

Family and later years Hibbard and his wife Josie had two children, Helen Hibbard (born 1891) and John Davis Hibbard (born 1895). In February 1931, Hibbard and his second wife May Hibbard traveled to Havana, Cuba on the S.S. Cartago. In December 1935, Hibbard and his second wife May G. Hibbard traveled to Yokohama, Japan, aboard the S.S. Roseville. In July 1937, Hibbard and his wife May traveled to Honolulu, Hawaii. In November 1937, Hibbard died at age 72 in Hollywood.