Biography - JAMES M. GIBBS

Among the intelligent and successful citizens of Macoupin county is James M. Gibbs, who is the owner of a farm of one hundred and seventy-five acres in North Palmyra township, which yields a handsome annual revenue. A native of the township where he now lives, he was born March 1, 1872, being a son of John C. and Mary (O’Neal) Gibbs. The grandfather of our subject was also named John C. Gibbs. He was born in Yorkshire, England, and married Mary Ward. They lived in Canada for a number of years and in 1835 came to Illinois and located in Scott county. Mr. Gibbs died on his farm in that county but his wife survived for many years, passing away at Winchester, Illinois, in 1872.

John C. Gibbs, the father of our subject, was the youngest in a family of four children. He was born in Toronto, Canada, January 28, 1835, and as he grew to manhood learned the wagon-maker’s trade, operating a shop at Milton, Pike county, Illinois. On August 12, 1862, he enlisted in Company I, Ninety-ninth Illinois Volunteers, and went to the front, serving valiantly for three years for the cause of the Union. He participated in many important battles, among them being Hartsville, Vicksburg and Champion Hill. He was twice wounded one wound being in the neck, at the battle of Vicksburg but continued in the army until the close of his period of enlistment. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to Scott county, Illinois, where he continued until 1869. He then moved to North Palmyra township, Macoupin county, and devoted his attention to farming. He was married in North Palmyra township, March 12, 1871, to Mary O’Neal, who was born in the same township, December 20, 1842, a daughter of Lewis L. and Elizabeth (Crum) O’Neal. Her father was a native of Kentucky and her mother was born in Clark county, Indiana, January 12, 1815. Mr. Gibbs gave his support to the republican party and was a member of the Christian church, but his wife held membership in the Presbyterian church.

James M. Gibbs attended .the common schools of North Palmyra township and, desiring to be well prepared for active business life, became a student of the Jacksonville Business College. He proved remarkably diligent in his studies and was graduated from that institution at the age of seventeen. After leaving college he concentrated his attention upon farming and prosecuted his work with such ability that he became the owner of one hundred and seventy-five acres of valuable land. He cultivates the fields and also' feeds shorthorn cattle and Chester White hogs for the market. He is progressive in his methods and is one of the respected men of the township, who has fairly earned the good fortune which he possesses.

On the 26th of April, 1898, Mr. Gibbs was married at Carlinville, to Miss Clara L. McGee, a daughter of Samuel and Kate (Dolan) McGee. Her father, who is a blacksmith and machinist by trade, was born in Kentucky and during the Civil war enlisted at Louisville, that state. He is now living retired in Chicago but his wife, who was also a native of Kentucky, died in 1888. He is a member of the Christian church, to which she also belonged, and he gives his political support to the democratic party. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have been born four children: John Galen, Ralph E., Earl C. and an infant born July 9, 1911.

In politics Mr. Gibbs supports the republican party, believing that in so doing he is best advancing the interests of the whole country. He had good advantages of training early in life and by making wise use of the opportunities presented in one of the richest states of the Union has acquired a competency. The father of a young and growing family, he is actively interested in education and in the substantial development of the region in which he has spent his entire life. Judging by what he has accomplished, there are before him many years of increasing responsibility. His record is one of which his family and friends may justly be proud.

Extracted 15 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 467-468.