My Genealogy Hound

JOHN K. GIBSON, farmer and stock-raiser. One of the most prominent of the old settlers of southwest Missouri is the subject of this brief sketch; born in Giles county, Tenn. Oct. 7, 1823. In 1831 his parents came to southwest Missouri and settled at the head of Spring River. The country was then filled with Indians, hunting parties from the reservations. The cabin of Mr. Gibson was then on the very outskirts of civilization. Three other families settled about the same time, but nearer the rising sun. Their names were James M. White, now of Verona; Daniel Beal, deceased; and Thomas Horn, deceased. The father of our subject, George M. Gibson, was born in Guilford county, North Carolina, but settled in Giles county, Tenn., at an early day; had been a pioneer all his life and died in Lawrence county, Mo., Dec. 28, 1845. During his life was a benevolent and kind hearted man, as many of the early settlers of the great Southwest can testify. He was ever willing to spend days, or even weeks, guiding the new arrivals to suitable locations for homes and farms. Many a fine farm that now boasts a princely residence was pointed out to the weary immigrant, and he assisted in staking his claim and erecting the primitive cabin, by the elder Gibson. All of these characteristics are strikingly developed in his son John K., who inherits the magnificent physique and great good heart of his father. Our subject was married Aug. 18, 1853, to Miss Arranatta White, also a native of Giles county, Tenn. She died Nov. 12, 1871, aged thirty-seven, leaving a family of four sons and three daughters. Their names are George Moore, Archie Neal, Samuel Holmes, Dora Belle, Fanny L., John K, Jr., and Mary R. Mr. Gibson became a resident of Jasper county in 1858. During the civil war his sympathies were naturally with the South, as he had ever been a believer in the sovereign rights of the states; however, he observed a strict neutrality. His losses in property during these times were very severe, and at the hands of both parties. At one time the Federals took thirty-three head of horses and mules off his place, for which he never received any remuneration. He has for thirty years engaged extensively in dealing and raising mules and stock; he drives annually from 150 to 175 mules to the Southern markets, and is well known from Missouri to Louisiana. His entire possessions consist of 8,200 acres of as good land as the state contains, and with the exception of about $1,500 inherited, he has by his own energy accumulated this fine estate. The homestead consists of 606 acres. Married for his second wife Mrs. Gillie E. Rives, a native of Virginia, Aug. 20, 1872. She is the mother of three children by former marriage: Annie J., wife of T. J. Stemmons; Ella N., wife of P. E, Lisenbee; and Lulie J., wife of Archie M. Gibson, Mr. Gibson has traveled very extensively and would not exchange Jasper county for any in the world.