Gibbs, David 1817-1897

GIBBS, BACON

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/9/2010 at 19:50:06

LeMars Semi-Weekly Sentinel
April 8, 1897

DEATH AND FUNERAL OF DAVID GIBBS.
Tuesday morning a little after 7 o’clock Mr. David Gibbs died at his home in
LeMars. Mr. Gibbs was a few months over eighty years of age and until the
last six weeks was strong and able to go about town. He has been slowly
failing for the last month, but his death was not expected at the time.

The funeral services of David Gibbs, Esq., will be held on today at the
residence. A short service will be conducted by Rev. A. Z. Macgogney, pastor
of the Presbyterian Church, of which the deceased was a life long and
upright member. The services will then be taken in charge by Giblem Lodge,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, of which order Brother Gibbs had been a
member since his early manhood and he had been a member of the LeMars lodge
since he became its first worshipful master December 26, 1872. The members
of the Masonic fraternity will meet at the lodge room at 1 o’clock and the
services at the house will be held at 2:30 from which the remains will be
borne to the cemetery and interred with Masonic honors.

The life of Mr. Gibbs was a long one and filled with good deeds. After an
honorable career of more than 80 years, he closes his work on earth.

He was a quiet and unassuming man, but vigorous and forceful and unswerving
in his adherence to principle.

Mr. Gibbs was born in Norwalk, O., in January, 1817. During nearly thirty
years after he finished his education, he practiced law in Dayton and Troy.
He came to LeMars in 1872 and engaged in the banking business with Rhymers &
Kent. He remained with the bank when the firm was changed to Proctor & Kent
and later when it became the LeMars National. He continued in the bank in
LeMars for nearly twenty-five years and until he retired from active work.

He was not an aspirant for office, but he held the office of city treasurer
of LeMars for six years. He was an active Mason as well as a staunch pillar
of the Presbyterian Church. He aided in organizing the Masonic lodge at
Elmore, Ohio, and was its first master. He was also a member of Chapter,
Royal Arch Masons.

At the age of 26, Mr. Gibbs was married to Miss Eliza Bacon, who now
survives him after nearly 54 years of married life. They celebrated their
golden wedding in 1893. Five children survive. They are Mrs. F.A. Seaman, of
LeMars; David Gibbs, Jr., of Sioux City; Frank Gibbs, of Eugene City,
Oregon; Mrs. Lizzie Tyler, of West Union, Iowa; and Henry Gibbs, of
Centerville, Missouri.