My Genealogy Hound

Dr. W. R. J. Gibbon, planter and stock raiser, Roe, Ark. Every life has a history of its own, and although in appearance it may seem to possess very little to distinguish it from others, yet Dr. Gibbon’s career as a planter and physician, as well as his experience in the political affairs of the community, have contributed to give him a wide and popular acquaintance with nearly every citizen of Prairie County, if not personally, then by name and serves to make his career a more than ordinary one. Dr. Gibbon was born in Brunswick County, Va., on March 19, 1832, and is the son of Thomas Gibbon, who was also a native of the Old Dominion, born in 1772. The father was educated in his native State, and in 1811 was there married to Miss Mary Mabry, who was born in Virginia in 1782, and was the daughter of Nathaniel and Dorotha Mabry, early settlers of Virginia. To Mr. and Mrs. Gibbon were born eleven children, five of whom lived to be grown: James L., Thomas, Lucy J., W. R. J. and Charles. The remainder died in infancy. The senior Mr. Gibbon was quite a prominent man in Brunswick County, held the office of sheriff of the same for two years, and filled many other prominent positions. He was in the War of 1812, held the position of captain, but on account of poor health was released from duty. He was member of the Masonic fraternity for about fifty years, and held most of the offices in that order. He and wife were both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a planter by occupation, and owned about 1,300 acres of land at the time of his death, which occurred in July, 1859. His wife died in 1867. Dr. W. R. J. Gibbon received his education in Stony Mount Male Academy, Brunswick County, Va., and the Virginia Military Institute, and later attended the Medical College of Virginia, graduating during the session of 1854-55. In June of the same year he immigrated to Fayette County, Tenn., practiced his profession there until December, 1856, when he immigrated to Arkansas and located in Monroe County, at Indian Bay. He was married April 24, 1856, to Miss Mary J. Wilie, a native of Pontotoc County, Miss., born March 1, 1839, and the daughter of Oliver and Susan Wilie. On May 28, 1860, a son, Thomas E., was born to this union, and he is now residing at Los Angeles, Cal. He was educated at Austin and Lonoke, and has been practicing law for the past eight years. He is a brilliant young man and was elected to the legislature from Pulaski County, in 1885 and 1886. Dr. W. R. J. Gibbon is an extensive planter and stock dealer by occupation, and has about 320 acres of good land, with 125 acres under cultivation. He is one of the prominent men of Prairie County, has represented the same in the legislature, and is at present filling that honorary position. He is a member of the Blue Lodge, in the Masonic order, and has held the office of Master for four years of Lodge No. 185. He is also a member of the Good Templars’ lodge, and is a man who takes an interest in all laudable enterprises. He and Mrs. Gibbon are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and both are liberal contributors to the same.