Dickinson Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and
Biographical Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and
Marion Counties-Hon. John W. Gibson
Portrait and Biographical
Record of Dickinson, Saline, McPherson and Marion
Counties
Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1893
HON. JOHN W. GIBSON, who resides on
section 18, Jefferson Township, is not only
widely known in Dickinson County, but
also has many acquaintances throughout
the State, and wherever he is known has won the
high regard of those with whom he has been
brought in contact. His father, John Gibson, was
a native of Virginia, and his mother, who bore the
maiden name of Elizabeth Ruckle, was born in
Baltimore, Md. On their marriage, they settled in
Barnesville, Belmont County, Ohio, and afterward
removed to Woodsfield, Monroe County, that
State. Later they located in Grundy County,
Ill., where they resided until 18.59, which year
witnessed their removal to Chillicothe, Mo. In
lH(i3, Mr. Gibson enlisted in Company F, Eleventh
Missouri Cavalry-, and was commissioned First
Lieutenant. He served until the fall of 1864, when
he resigned and returned to Chillicothe. Here he
served is I'ostnuuster under President Lincoln
and later was apjiointed Postmaster of Carrollton,
Mo., soon after his removal there. He continued
to fill that office until his death, which occurred
in June, 1880. Mrs. Gibson afterward went
to Abilene, Kan., where she made her home until
called to her final rest in November, 1890.
Our subject is the eldest of four children born
unto this worthy couple. His birth occurred in
Woodsfield, Monroe County, Ohio, December 10,
1837. His early education, acquired in the common
schools, was added to by a course in a High
School. He was chiefly reared upon the farm and
remained under the parental roof until after he
had attained his majority. In the spring of 1859,
he left Morris, Ill., and started for Pike's Peak,
but on reaching Polk County, Iowa, concluded to
remain there and engage in farming until the
succeeding fall.
On the 25th of November of that year. Mr. Gibson
was united in marriage with Miss Frances
Sophia West, daughter of John and Anna (Carter)
West. Her parents were both natives of England,
and their marriage was celebrated in Germantown,
Pa., January 18, 1831. In April, 1856, they removed
from Beaver County, Pa., to Polk County,
Iowa, where the mother died on the 12th of April,
1860. Mrs. Gibson was the youngest in their family
of four children, consisting of one son and
three daughters. She was born in Bridgewater,
Beaver County, Pa., November 27, 1838. Our
subject and his wife began their domestic life in
Davis County, Mo., where he engaged in farming
for a time. While there residing, he enlisted in
the Missouri State Militia and served six months
as Second Lieutenant. He afterward entered the
United States service, becoming a member of the
First Missouri Cavalry, in which he served for
about three months, when he was discharged on
account of disability. As soon as he was able, he
re-enlisted, March 9, 1863, and was assigned to
Company B, Eleventh Missouri Cavalry. He was
afterward promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and
on the 17th of June, 1864, was commissioned Second
Lieutenant, serving in that capacity until
February 21, 1865, when he resigned on account
of ill health.
Mr. Gibson then went in Chillicothe, Mo., and
soon afterward embarked in the mercantile business,
which he continued during his residence in
that place. While there he also filled the office of
Deputy Sheriff for some four years. In the spring
of 1871, he came with his family to Dickinson
County, Kan., and secured a homestead of one
hundred and sixty acres on section 18, Jefferson
Township. His residence is one of the pleasant
homes in the community and his farm is one of
the best in the locality. He has made many excellent
and substantial improvements upon it and he
is recognized as one of the leading agriculturists
of the town.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Gibson was blessed
with a family of five children, but the three eldest
are now deceased: John W. died when about three
years old; Ida M. and Willie both died in childhood;
F. V. is a telegraph operator; and Mary
Josephine completes the family. The parents are
both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and take an active interest in all church work.
They have aided largely in its upbuilding and have
given liberally to its support.
Socially, Mr. Gibson is a member of Banner City
Post No. 219, G. A. R., of Banner City. In politics,
he has been a stanch Republican since the
organization of the party and takes quite a prominent
part in local political affairs. In the fall of
1888, on the Republican ticket, he was elected a
member of the State Legislature, serving one term.
In 1890, he was appointed Census Enumerator of
Jefferson Township, and in the spring of 1892 he
was chosen Delegate to the Republican State Convention
in Topeka. His public duties have ever
been faithfully performed in a manner reflecting
credit upon himself and to the satisfaction of his
constituents. Mr. Gibson is public-spirited and
progressive and is one of the most prominent citizens
of the county.
(c) 2009 Sheryl McClure for
Dickinson County KS AHGP