Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-Edward Gibson
Portrait and Biographical
Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
EDWARD GIBSON, a successful and prosperous
farmer of Dickinson County, and one
of the extensive land-owners, resides on section
24. As he is well and favorably known
throughout this county, the sketch of his life will
undoubtedly prove of interest to many of our
readers. A native of England, he was born in
Yorkshire, December 29, 1843, and is one of a
family of seven living children, whose parents were
Joseph and Julia (Parneby) Gibson. The paternal
grandfather, a native of England, removed to
Canada, and there spent the remainder of his days.
The father of our subject was a farmer by occupation
and followed that business throughout the
greater part of his life. In 1844, he crossed the broad
Atlantic and located in Durham County, Canada,
where he secured one hundred acres of timber land
and began the development of a farm. His death
occurred on the 3d of February, 1892, at the advanced
age of eighty-one years, and his wife passed
away a few months previous at the age of seventy seven
years. They had ten children, and those
now living are John, who is engaged in farming in
Iowa; Elizabeth, wife of John Dixon, an agriculturist
of Durham County, Canada; Alfred, a resident
farmer of Algoma, Canada; Anna, wife of
John Martin, who makes his home in Durham
County; Henry, who is living in Algoma; and
Edward of this sketch.
Our subject is the fifth in order of birth. During
his infancy his parents emigrated to Ontario,
and at the age of sixteen he went to Huron County,
where he learned the carpenter's trade. He was
engaged in business in Constance, near Seaforth,
until 1872, and mot with fair success in his undertakings.
On the 23d of December, 1869, Mr. Gibson
wedded Eliza, daughter of Abram Taylor, a
native of Toronto, Canada, who engaged in
farming in Huron County. The lady was born
January 9, 1851. Of her brothers and sisters,
Mary Ann is married; George resides in Flora
Township, Dickinson County; Mrs. Sarah Jane
Elcoat makes her home in Huron County,
Canada; William is a resident of Flora Township;
Shered is a resident of Buckeye Township; and
Hannah is keeping house for her brother William.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have been born two
children: Anna Elizabeth, who was born November
11, 1869, in Huron County, Ontario, is the wife of
Elmer Diffenbaugh, son of John Diffenbaugh. They
have one child, Clarence Earl, aged eleven months.
John George, the only son of our subject, was born
August 15, 1871, and aids in the operation of the
home farm.
In 1872, Mr. Gibson removed to Kansas and located
on section 24, Flora Township, where he
secured a homestead of eighty acres and also
pre-empted eighty acres He has been industrious,
and as the result of his earnest efforts has
been able to make additional purchases. He bought
another eighty-acre tract on the same section as
his home farm, which now comprises two hundred
and forty acres of highly improved land. He also
has one hundred and sixty acres on section 2,
Willowdale Township, and in the spring of 1892
purchased one hundred and sixty .acres on section
13. Flora Township, where his daughter will make
her home. At the time of his first purchase his
home farm was entirely destitute of improvements
and the land was largely in its primitive condition.
Since that time he has planted a hedge fence all
around the place, and has set out about five acres In
fruit trees, thus making a good orchard, and every
year improvements have been added until he now
has one of the most desirable country homes in the
county. On coming to Kansas, Mr. Gibson formed
a partnership with William Bailey and together
they carried on business until 1889, when the
property was divided. Our subject is recognized
as a successful and enterprising agriculturist of the
community, and is one of the leading influential
citizens of Flora Township. During the twenty
years of his residence here his life has been one of
uprightness and integrity, and he has therefore
won an enviable place in the esteem of his fellow townsmen.
Success has crowned his efforts and a
well-deserved prosperity is now his.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP