Charles A. Gibbs

CHARLES A. GIBBS, a prominent citizen of Cherokee County, whose portrait is herewith shown, is engaged in mercantile pursuits at Hallowell, in Lola township. He was born January 5, 1852, in Oneida County, New York, and is a son of John and Sarah J. (Dunn) Gibbs.

John Gibbs was born in Connecticut, but became a resident of New York in early manhood. He was engaged in manufacturing lumber for a number of years in the "Empire State," but came to Kansas in 1879, and died in Cherokee County in 189I, aged 67 years. He married Sarah J. Dunn, also of Oneida County, New York, who died in Cherokee County in 1898, at the age of 75 years. They had three children,--Charles A., Ida P. and Fred W.

Charles A. Gibbs enjoyed excellent educational advantages and is a graduate of Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, of the class of 1874. He was engaged in the study of law for the three succeeding years, and was admitted to the bar in 1876. He entered upon the practice of his profession at Ithaca, New York, but did not settle down permanently until 1878, when he came to Cherokee County, after spending one year in Grayson County, Texas. Since making his home at Hallowell, Mr. Gibbs has become interested in business enterprises, and now conducts the leading mercantile establishment of the town. He does not closely apply himself to his profession, although he accepts cases to accommodate those who have more reliance upon his ability than on that of other practitioners. Politically a Democrat, he has received many honors at the hands of the party. During the administration of President Cleveland, he was postmaster at Hallowell, and has frequently been selected as a candidate for high positions, meeting defeat only when the party has been unsuccessful. He served three years as a trustee of the Cherokee County High School, being one of the first appointees on that board. He was also a member of the special committee appointed by the Grand Jury, and worked six months as county auditor.

Mr. Gibbs was first married in 1873 to Eva Shade, who was horn at Ithaca, New York, and died in Cherokee County, aged 34 years, leaving three children,—Ernest, Nellie and Edith. In 1889 Mr. Gibbs married Mary Higgins, who was born at Carbondale, Pennsylvania, and they have two children,—Dorothea and Joseph.

Mr. Gibbs is one of the leading members, and most liberal supporters, of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Hallowell. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow. He is one of the prominent citizens of the community, and an active promoter of all movements which promise to be of substantial benefit to the locality.

History of Cherokee County Kansas and its representative citizens, ed. & comp. by Nathaniel Thompson Allison, 1904, transcribed by Carolyn Ward, instructor from USD 508, Baxter Springs Middle School, Baxter Springs, Kansas, 3/16/97.