History of Lee County, Illinois - Bushnell Historical Society

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY 213
his honorable discharge at the end of the year 1864 he returned to
the family home. He remained there until March 6, 1865, when
the opportunities of the west induced him to leave for Minnesota,
where he spent some time in Winona county. He then made his
way to Quincy, Illinois, teaching school there. In the mouth of
August, 1866, he went to Ophir township. La Salle county, his
father and the remainder of the family joining him in 1867. In
the course of years jNIt. Gibbs became the owner of a farm in Iro-
quois count}^, Illinois, and also rented land in Ophir township,
following agricultural pursuits with gratifying results. In 1894
he bought land in Wyoming township, this county, his property
bordering on the corporation of Paw Paw. He has made Lee
county his permanent residence since March 1, 1895. His farm
comprises one hundred and seventy-fiA-e acres and there he engaged
for a number of years in general farming and dairying, his
successful methods being evident from the fact that he is now able
to live in retirement and in the enjoyment of a comfortable com-
petence. His son was the first man to ])ottle and deliver milk in
Paw Paw. He always followed the most progressive and modern
standards in the operation of his agricultural enterprise and,
while he has attained to individual i3rosperit3% has been a factor
in promoting agricultural interests and standards in this sec-
tion. He now rents his farm to his son, Eugene, who continues
its operation with gratifying financial i-esidts.
On February 14, 1869, Mr. Gibbs was mai'ried, at Livermore,
Maine, to Miss Mary W. Harlow, daughter of Alvin C. and Rosetta
B. (Beard) Harlow, the former of whom was for many years a
successful merchant at Ijivermore Center, Maine. He died
December 12, 1899, his wife having preceded him September 19,
1879. Both are buried at Auburn, Androscoggin county, Maine.
Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have two children: Carroll H.. a merchant of
Paw Paw; and Eugene N., who operates his father's farm. Mrs.
Gibbs is also of Revolutionary stock, one of her ancestors, a Mr.
Washburn, having participated in that memorable conflict. She
is a member of the Eastern Star and the Women's Relief Corps,
being deeply interested in the cause of temperance and the higher
things of life.
Mr. Gibbs has always given his allegiance to the democratic
party, in the principles of which he firmly believes and the ideals
of which he considers most conducive to the best form of govern-
ment. For five terms he served as supervisor of La Salle county
and also held the offices of assessor and director of the board of