My Genealogy Hound

DAVID GIBSON has for over a quarter of a century been identified with the development of Johnson County. He is now the owner of a quarter-section of land in township 47, range 25, and although over seventy years of age, gives his personal attention to overseeing the farm work. He is a native of Ohio, and was born in Morgan County, May 13, 1824. His parents were John S. and Catherine (Been) Gibson, natives, respectively, of Virginia and Pennsylvania.

John N. and Elizabeth (Harrison) Gibson, the grandparents, were also born in Virginia, where the father, in addition to carrying on a good farm, worked at his trade, that of a tanner. They continued to make their home in their native state until advanced in years, when they removed to Morgan County, Ohio, where their death occurred. The grandmother was a sister of William Henry Harrison.

John S. Gibson remained at home in the Buckeye State until the date of his marriage, when he purchased land and began farming for himself. Many years thereafter he removed to Athens County, that state, becoming the owner of a splendid estate there, on which he resided until his death, which occurred in 1855. His good wife survived him some twenty years, dying in 1875. Of their large family of thirteen children, David, of this sketch, is the third in order of birth. Elizabeth married Rufus Severens, and when last heard from was living on a farm in Wisconsin; William married Jane Swift, and both are deceased; Solomon chose for his wife Priscilla Robison, who since his death has continued to live in Linn County, this state; Nancy married William Embers; Isaiah married Mary Rathburn, and since his death his widow has lived in Holden, Mo.; John married a Miss Herrington, and both died in this state; Susan married John Lord, and both departed this life in Logan County, Ohio; Sarah married John Stores, and they are now living in Athens, Ohio, engaged in running an hotel; Salina also makes her home in that city with her husband, Samuel Tanner, who is a shoemaker; Charles married Elizabeth Beverage, and they live on a farm in Tennessee; Lucinda died in the West, together with her husband, William Simpson; and Mary is also deceased.

Upon attaining his majority, our subject went to Athens County, Ohio, and there became the owner of a tract of eighty acres of land and began farming for himself. He made his home in that locality for about eight years, and in the mean time was married to Miss Elizabeth Allison. The ceremony which made them one was performed in March, 1847. Mrs. Gibson was born March 21, 1823, in Maryland, and was the daughter of Samuel and Mary Allison, also natives of that state, where her father was a tailor by trade. He later, however, abandoned this business in order to engage in farming, following that industry until his decease, which occurred in Athens County, Ohio. His wife survived him for a number of years and passed away while a member of her daughter’s household, in Warrensburg, this state.

To Mr. and Mrs. Allison there were born eleven children, six daughters and five sons. They were George, Henry, Susan, James, John Wesley and May, deceased; and Elizabeth, Harriet, Adeline, Thomas and Huldah. Harriet married John Parks, and they make their home on a farm in Jackson County, Ohio; Adeline became Mrs. George Earth, and since the decease of her husband resides in Topeka, Kan.; and Huldah married John Rice and both live in Camden County, this state.

Mr. Gibson lived on his first purchase of land for several years, in the mean time making various improvements. After disposing of it he bought another tract in the same county, and there lived for sixteen years. He had visited the state of Missouri prior to the Civil War, but thought it best to remain in his native state until the troubles between the North and South had been settled. In 1865, however, he sold his possessions in Ohio and started for this state, coming directly to Warrensburg. Here he rented a tract of two hundred acres from Judge Harrison, five miles from Warrensburg, making that his home for the following two years. He then became a renter of property just north of his present estate, and was engaged in its cultivation for four years. At the expiration of that time he bought this place on section 18, Simpson Township, where he has made his home ever since. For the one hundred and sixty acres which he owns he paid $22 per acre. A schoolhou.se stood on the place, and this Mr. Gibson converted into a good dwelling, in which he resides at the present time. May 11, 1884, his property was damaged to the extent of $1,000 by a storm. The buildings then laid low were rapidly rebuilt, and to-day the estate presents to the passer-by a neat and inviting appearance, as it is kept in good repair and under the best methods of improvement by the owner.

Seven children were born to our subject and his wife. John M., whose birth occurred December 21, 1847, married Maria Boone, and departed this life at Colorado Springs, September 27, 1880; his wife is also deceased. Samuel V. was born Augu.st 12, 1851; he married Ellen Stewart, and they now live near Fayetteville, Mo. Amanda S., who was born September 6, 1849, became the wife of John Smith, a carpenter in Kansas City. Mary Ann was born October 28, 1853, and was first married to Samuel Boone, after whose decease she became the wife of William Goin; her death occurred May 10, 1891. William Henry was born September 15, 1855; he chose for his companion Bertha Zillmer, and now resides in Denver, Colo., where he owns mines. Francis Marion was born February 19, 1858, and with his wife, formerly Mollie Myers, lives on a farm east of our subject. James Madison, who was born September 15, 1864, has always lived at home.

Mr. Gibson is truly a self-made man, for when he left home he possessed but $50 in cash and a horse. He made a good investment of this small capital, and his fortunes increased, until to-day he is well-to-do. Besides being Road Overseer of his township, for several terms he occupied the position of School Director. Although a Republican in his native state, he has voted the Democratic ticket since coming to Missouri. Mrs. Gibson is a member of the Baptist Church at Fayetteville. Our subject was formerly of the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but since leaving that denomination has not identified himself with any other. He has in his possession an old Bible belonging to his grandmother, which he keeps as a relic of the William Henry Harrison family. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson have taken into their home their granddaughter, Lottie Goin, who was born September 6, 1885.