Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Karen D. Foster for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================== U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================== Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ========================================================================== SOURCE: History of Genesee County, Michigan pub. Everts and Abbott - 1879 Page facing 238 CHARLES DE WITT GIBSON Charles De Witt Gibson was one of the earliest of the pioneer business men of Genesee County. His long, active career and intimate connection with the development and improvement of the county from the time it was almost an unbroken wilderness, peopled almost exclusively by Indians and wild animals, with here and there at long distances apart an embryo settlement of a few hardy and adventurous pioneers, make it proper and fitting that he should occupy a conspicuous place in the annals of a county in which for forty-two years he had borne so distinguished a part. The ancestors of Mr. Gibson were of Welsh and Irish origin, and settled in the United States at an early date. John Gibson, the father of our subject, was a native of Montgomery Co., N. Y., where, in early life, he was married to Catharine Wasson, of the same county. They reared a family of nine children,--five sons and four daughters,--of whom Charles De Witt was the second son. He was born at Palatine, Montgomery Co., on the 4th day of January, 1800. His boyhood was spent in assisting his father in the labors of farm life, and in obtaining a limited common-school education. He also learned the trade of cabinet-making. After reaching his majority he started out for himself, went to Western New York, and settled at Avon, Livingston Co., where he engaged in cabinet making. Here he became acquainted with Miss Artemisia Frost, daughter of Elisha and Artemisia Frost, old residents of Lima, in the same county. This acquaintance ripened into courtship and marriage, and they were united on the 11th day of August, 1831. Soon after his marriage Mr. Gibson began to look with longing eyes to the new and unsettled territories lying west of Lake Erie, which at that time presented a fine field for the activity and enterprise of the daring adventurer. Accordingly, in 1833, he left home with the purpose of securing a location somewhere in the Territory of Michigan. He finally decided on settling in the interior. He purchased at second-hand one hundred and sixty acres on which there was a small improvement, and soon after two hundred and forty acres more of the government, in the present township of Grand Blanc, Genesee Co. He then returned to New York and purchased a stock of goods, which he shipped to the Territory, and then with his wife and child, his widowed mother, and a sister, came on to the new home in the wilderness. They were also accompanied by Chauncey S. Marvin, now deceased, who was for many years an inmate of Mr. Gibson's family. After his arrival Mr. Gibson opened a store and sold goods to the few early settlers, and traded with the Indians, who at that time were very numerous. Besides selling goods and clearing off and improving his lands, he in a few years became extensively engaged in other enterprises, such as building and running saw-mills, asheries, etc. He was also for many years engaged in the purchase and sale of lands in various parts of the State, both for himself and as the agent of others, and throughout his long and active life was uniformly successful in his business undertakings. His keen insight into the motives that govern human nature, sound, practical judgement, shrewdness, sagacity, and ripe experience in so many branches of business, united to unflinching integrity, honorable dealing, and unassuming manners, commanded the unlimited confidence and esteem of all; and he was known all his life as a man whose word was as good as his bond. Besides conducting and managing his many business interests, he at various times served his town and county as magistrate, supervisor, county treasurer, etc., and in all positions of trust and responsibility acquitted himself with satisfaction to his constituents. During his life he lost many thousand dollars by fire and otherwise, but at his death there still remained a handsome fortune for his widow and children. He was for many years a member of the order of Odd-Fellows, and in religious faith was a Protestant, with ultra-liberal views of the Unitarian and Universalist type. Mr. Gibson lived to the age of nearly seventy-seven years. His death occurred on the 3d day of May, 1876, his being the only death in the family since that of an infant daughter forty years before,--a remarkable fact in a family of eleven children. The memory of Mr. Gibson is fondly cherished in the hearts of his children and bereaved wife, and although the kind and indulgent father, the tender and affectionate husband is no longer here, the wise counsels, useful lessons, pure life and example of one of nature's noblemen is ever present with them. A far richer legacy is an honorable name and blameless life than silver and gold, or houses and lands. Mrs. Gibson, who is still a remarkably fine looking and intelligent lady, has nobly performed her full share of life's duties to her husband and children, and is held in great esteem by a large circle of warm and admiring friends and relatives. She resides at the old home, in the midst of kind friends and pleasant surroundings, in the peace and tranquility of a long life will spent. Mrs. Gibson and her deceased husband were the parents of eleven children, named as follows: Thornton W., Jane W., Charles F., Chauncey W., Caroline A., Corodon De Witt, John E., Mary A., Sarah J., Frances A., and Stanford S. All of whom are now living except Jane W., who died in infancy, and all are married except Mary and Stanford, who reside with their mother at the old home. This page, containing the portraits of this venerated old pioneer couple, with a brief notice of their life-work, will be greeted with pleasure and pride by all their old friends and acquaintances, and with love and reverence by their children and descendants. ==========================================================================