Gibson, William F.

“was born in South Carolina, June 7, 1810.  His parents were Thomas N. and Ruth Gibson, who moved out to Tennessee at an early day.  On the way out, William F., then a small boy, knjocked a tomahawk out of a “kid” Indian’s hand and brained him with it.  It seems, however, that they ar-rived safe in Tennessee.  The father was a carpenter by trade, and William had the pleasure of seeing a roof he had put on, fifty years afterwards, and it was still in good condition.  He (the father) also operated a farm in connection with his trade, and his sons did the work thereon.  He died when William was about thirteen years old, and his mother married again; after which he never lived at home, but bound himself out to a man with whom he worked till he was twenty-one years old.  On September 3d, 1883, he was married to Miss Rachel, daughter of Thomas and Rebecca Brookshire.  They had twelve children, eight of whom still survive.  His first wife died July 28, 1857, and he was again married October 3, 1860, to Rebecca C. Schrock, daughter of Robert L. Schrock, by which union he has three children.  His coming to Linn county was as early as the spring of 1835, and first settled below Linneus.  In 1837 he moved to Benton township and has lived there ever since, engaged in farming.  Soon after the county was organized he was appointed justice of the peace, and afterwards elected, making him thirteen years in that office.  He has been a member of the Methodist Church for over forty years, and was always an active working member, and most of the time has been a class-leader.  He taught school a short time in this county.  Before the war he was a Whig, but since has taken small interest in politics.  He has a farm of 150 acres, all under fence, on which he has a good orchard.

Transcribed, in total, by kkfitch ©2007  All Rights Reserved.