GIBSON - Lewis - Putnam

Lewis Gibson was born in Putnam County, Indiana Dec 19, 1835, and when a lad of four years went with his parents to Boone County, Missouri and a year later to Buchanan County, Missouri where he grew to manhood.  It was while residing there that he was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Maddox and to this union two children were born WA Gibson and another son who died in infancy.  In 1859 Mr. Gibson drove an ox team from Leavenworth, Kansas to Denver, Colorado, freighting for the government and returning home in 1862 he enlisted in the southern army serving a short period of time. After leaving the army he returned home and in 1863 made another trip to Denver, having charge of a relay station at Fort Larmie, Wyoming. At the close of the war he returned to Winchester, Kansas June 1, 1865 and he was married to Miss Luthene M. McMahon on June 25 of that year. Leaving Winchester in June 1871, they came to Harvey County and homesteaded a farm fives miles east of Newton on First street.  Later they moved to Walton and Mr. Gibson was postmaster under Cleveland’s administration.  Returning to Newton in 1898 he made his home here until his death which occurred Monday morning at 8:50 o’clock at 314 West Tenth Street. He is survived by his widow and seven children: WA Gibson, JD Gibson, FJ Gibson and Mrs. Ira Burgener of Newton.  FM Gibson of Kansas City, Mrs. FW Reynolds and Miss Georgia Gibson of Wichita. Five children preceded him to their eternal home.  He is also survived by four brother and three sisters five of whom have passed the rip age of 70 years.  They are Miss Rachel Wilhelm, Mrs. Nancy Witt, Mrs. Clara Clark and WR Gibson of Winchester and FM Gibson of Yukon, Okla; JA Gibson and GW Gibson of Missouri.  His funeral was held at the Christian Church Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, conducted by the pastor of the church, Rev. RP McPherson and the many floral tributes and the large number of friends attending the service were evidence of the esteem in which Mr. Gibson was held in life. His pall bearers were chosen from among the old time friends and were James Walton, Chas. Matthews, AJ Manuel, Sam Ryun, LG Harlan and JC Morgan. What better tribute can be paid to a man than that he has lived his life in a most useful way as a devoted husband and father and an upright citizen. All this may be said of Mr. Gibson. He lived to the ripe age of 79 years and 43 of these years were spent in Harvey County.  He was the father of 12 children 7 of whom he provided for until they married or were able to earn their own living and the other five until they were called from earthly life. He resided in the county at a time when neighbors were few and had to depend on each other for many acts of kindness and for assistance in this capacity Mr. Gibson was ever ready to lend a helping hand. - kbz