Cullen Curlee Gibson, now living retired, has for more than forty-five
years been a resident of Macoupin county and for more than eighty-one years
a resident of Illinois. He is well known as a farmer and also as a minister
of the gospel, and by a life of industry and earnest application in behalf
of others has won a position accorded to few men in this section. Born in
Tennessee February 1, 1823, he is a son of James and Hannah (Meredith)
Gibson, both of whom were natives of Tennessee. The grandfather on the
paternal side, James Gibson, was born in Maryland but removed to Tennessee,
where he spent the remainder of his life.
Mr. Gibson of this sketch
came with his parents to Morgan county, Illinois, in 1830 and in the pioneer
schools secured his early education. At the age of fifteen he began devoting
his entire time to the home farm and so continued until 1843, when he
engaged in farming on his own account. In 1864 he arrived with his family in
Girard township, Macoupin county, and located permanently, acquiring one
hundred and ninety acres of good land which he brought under an excellent
state of cultivation. He became one of the successful farmers of the
township. In connection with general farming he kept a good grade of stock,
both cattle and hogs, which he marketed in St. Louis and Chicago. He has
lived retired since 1893 and his son-in-law, John J. Stowe, now has charge
of the place.
In 1843 Mr. Gibson was married to Miss Nancy A.
Daugherty, who was born in Kentucky, a daughter of John and Polly (Squires)
Daugherty, both of whom were also natives of Kentucky. To this union
fourteen children were born, eleven of whom survive, and Mr. Gibson can also
claim seventy-four grandchildren and forty great-grandchildren. His children
are: Serilda, who married F. W. Gates, of Girard; John, of Greene county,
Illinois; Charles C., who also lives at Girard; Hannah, who married James
Wirt, of Virden; Sarah, the wife of George Garst, of Girard; Rinda, who
married Henry Showalter, of Kansas; George W., of Girard; Isaac, who lives
in Christian county, Illinois; Henry, of Girard; Cullen, whose home is at
Springfield, Illinois; and Lizzie, the wife of John J. Stowe, who resides
upon the home farm.
The greatest sorrow that Mr. Gibson has known
was the death of his beloved wife, which occurred in February, 1910, after
they had been married more than sixty-six years. She was a woman possessing
many rare qualities of mind and heart, and one who by her fidelity to high
ideals gave indication of being a sincere follower of the Great Master. Mr.
Gibson many years ago became converted to the Christian religion and for
forty years labored in the ministry of the church of the Brethren. An
earnest believer in the Bible, he has aimed to be guided in all his acts by
its teachings, and his work in the ministry was productive of great good and
attracted many to a life of righteousness. He has been a stanch supporter of
prohibition and all movements for the relief of the ills of humanity. He has
never held any public offices except those of school director of Girard
township and school trustee in Morgan county. As a venerable pioneer of the
state he is deeply respected and as a worker in behalf of others, he has
earned the reverence and esteem due one who has willingly relinquished
personal advancement in a desire to promote the general good.
Extracted 18 May 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 85-86.
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