Gibbs, George c1867 - 1909

GIBBS, O’BRIEN, KELLOGG

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 1/17/2023 at 09:51:33

Source: Decorah Republican June 3, 1909, P3 C4

DROWNED IN LAKE CHANHASSEN
George Gibbs, Former Decorian and Companion, Lose Their Lives while Returning from Fishing Trip.
On Thursday evening last week George Gibbs, who will be remembered by many in Decorah as a boy and young man here, was drowned in Lake Chanhassen, about seventeen miles out of Minneapolis.
According to a report given by the St. Paul Pioneer Press of last Friday, Gibbs and W. G. Conley, who were both conductors on the C., M. & St. P. road, and Patrick Kenny, a brakeman, went out for a day’s fishing. They were returning to shore when their boat was capsized by the attempt of the men to change places so that one who had been rowing could be relieved.
Kenny was unable to swim and Gibbs and Conley generously gave him the boat to make the shore, which was not a great distance away. When about half the distance had been covered George was seized by cramps and went to the bottom while Conley succeeded in getting a little nearer shore, but sank also. The body of Mr. Gibbs was not recovered until Friday morning.
The deceased was born in Decorah and was in his forty-third year. He was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Gibbs, early day residents here, but for the past years had lived in Sioux City and Minneapolis, being employed lately on the Hastings & Dakota division of the Milwaukee road. He was married Feb. 12, 1895, to Ellen O’Brien, who, with his sister, Mrs. Laura Kellogg of Marshalltown, and one brother, Frank Gibbs of Sioux City, survives him.
The remains were brought to Decorah Saturday night, being accompanied by his widow, Thos. And Mr. J. O’Brien and several members of the Order of Railway Trainmen. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon from the residence of A. K. Drake. Among those present being the brother of the deceased.