Samuel Gibson was born near Zanesville, Ohio, Oct. 23, 1827.
In Ohio he learned the trade of a blacksmith. He came to Mt. Vernon
in 1849. Twice he moved to the country and lived on his farm.
Mr. Gibson joined the army in 1862 as First Lieutenant in the
110th Illinois Volunteers, company G. The following year he
resigned on account of sickness.
He married Miss Angeline Newby Nov. 30, 1852. To this union were
born ten children, four of whom are deceased. Augustus Gibson,
Mrs. Ida Palmer, John E., and Adella Gibson. The six living children
are Dr. Oscar N. Gibson, Eldorado, Ill; Wm. E. Gibson, Bozeman, Mont.;
Mrs. R. L. Mernagh, St. Louis, Mo.; Thos. O. Gibson, S.A. Gibson and
Walter Gibson of Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Gibson was one of the oldest citizens of Mt. Vernon. He has
seen the town grow from a small country village to a city of 10,000
people. There were no railroads coming into the city. He came
from Ohio down the Ohio river, landed at Shawneetown, and from
there he came by stage. For twelve years he was justice of the
peace. He was a member of I.O.O.F., Marion lodge. Mr. Gibson
was a faithful and consistent member of the Presbyterian church.
He had been an elder in the church for about sixty years. At the
time of his death he was elder emeritus. He was honored with this
position on account of his long and efficient service. He was
thoroughly devoted to his church and was one of the leading men
who made it possible for the Presbyterians to have the splendid
building they now have. The local church owes much to the untiring
efforts of Mr. Gibson. He was also popular with his brethren in
the Presbytery, being honored by them more than once as a delegate
to the general assembly, the highest church court. He was a
commissioner to the assembly which met in Buffalo, N.Y., and
to the Cumberland Presbyterian assembly, which met in Fresno, Cal.
For the last few years due to failing health he could not attend
the services of the church but expressed what a loss it was to him
to be deprived of the privileges of the sanctuary.
Mr. Gibson was bereaved of his wife Dec. 7, 1895. Since that
time though many trying spells of sickness he has been tenderly
and faithfully cared for by his children, who have done all they
could to add to his comfort and pleasure in his old age. He was
an upright citizen, a true friend and an earnest Christian.
He departed this life Thursday night October 22, at 10:35 o’clock.
Had he lived until the next day he would have been eighty-seven years
of age.
The funeral service will be held in the First Presbyterian church
Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by his pastor, Rev. W. V. McAdoo.
The Odd Fellows will attend in a body and assist in the service.
The body will lie in state tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The casket will not be opened at the church.
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