ORIGINALLY WRITTEN
You could say he wrote the book on Hillsboro.
Some 21 years after the release of his comprehensive history of the town, Raymond F. Wiebe is expected to be named historian laureate for the City of Hillsboro by the Hillsboro City Council at its Dec. 5 meeting.
In anticipation of that action, family members are planning a public celebration for Wiebe from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Historic Church on the campus of Tabor College.
The event also will mark his recent 80th birthday.
Wiebe, who has spent countless hours researching the history of Hillsboro and its citizens, is known by many people in the Hillsboro community as a walking encyclopedia of local genealogy and business history.
“In this capacity he has helped many local researchers find definitive materials about their ancestors,” said Stan R. Harder, city museums director. “He is also an active volunteer at both the city’s museums and at the archives at Tabor.”
Wiebe is a past member of the Hillsboro Museums board and a founding member of the board for the Center for Mennonite Brethren Studies at Tabor.
In 1985, Wiebe published his research about the town in a book titled, “Hillsboro: The City on the Prairie” to coincide with the town’s centennial celebration.
“Ray Wiebe’s book on the history of Hillsboro is an excellent resource about the history of the city,” Harder said. “We would be lost without it.”
Wiebe’s interest in local history didn’t end with the publication of the book.
“Ray comes into my office several times a week to talk about local history and his information is always extremely useful. He is a faithful volunteer who spends many hours working with the museums’ visitors and patrons.”
Peggy Goertzen, CMBS director, said, “Raymond is an invaluable resource of local and ethnic history for Hillsboro and Marion County.
“I always know if I cannot locate a specific piece of information to assist a patron at the archives, that Raymond will know the answer-or at least be able to point me in the right direction. He is extremely knowledgeable and wonderfully supportive.”
“Raymond Wiebe is a perfect example of volunteerism in our community,” said Mayor Delores Dalke. “I appreciate very much his willingness to give of himself.”
