My Genealogy Hound

Hon. Alonzo L. Gibbs, deceased, was born in Blandford, Mass., November 7, 1819. His father, Loring Gibbs, was a native of Massachusetts, and his mother, Mary (Collister) Gibbs, was also a native of the same State. Our subject grew to manhood in Massachusetts, passing his youth on the farm. He received a common-school education. At about the age of twenty-one he went to New Jersey, and taught for five years in Morris County. Here he became acquainted with Mary A. Garrabrant, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth Garrabrant, the former being one of the substantial farmers of that locality. To this lady he was married October 3, 1848. Previous to this he had engaged in the mercantile business in Albany, N. Y., at which he continued about two years. In the fall of 1849 he moved west, locating at Elkhorn, Wis., where he remained three years, engaged in the mercantile business, and then located on a farm there for about two years. In 1858 he moved to Missouri, and located in Wilson Township, Adair County. Here he bought land and improved it, and the farm now consists of 480 acres of fine prairie land, all under a fine state of cultivation. Since the death of Mr. Gibbs his widow and sons have bought 320 acres more adjoining the old place, all well cultivated. Mr. Gibbs was a shrewd, enterprising, business man. He was a member of the Republican party, and in 1869 he was nominated and elected representative of Adair County, and served one term with distinction. During the late war he was a member of the Home Guards. Ill health only compelled him to remain at home. He was a strong Union man. He was very sociable and friendly, and the county had no better citizen. He was a kind father and devoted husband, and was noted for his hospitality. He raised a family of three children, as follows: Loring P. (deceased April 30, 1876, at the age of twenty-two), Frank W. (born June 21, 1860) and DeWitt C. (born April 5, 1866). Frank and DeWitt are yet at home. Mr. Gibbs died September 29, 1882, having suffered from poor health all the summer previous to his decease. April 16, 1883, Frank W. was united in marriage to Miss Emma, daughter of Joseph McCoy. This lady was born, reared, and educated in Adair County. Mr. Gibbs was one of the founders of the Kirksville Normal School, and his sons all attended school there. He was formerly an Episcopalian, but in later life espoused the Universalist faith.