This is a certified copy of Alexander Gibson & Ellen Morrison’s Marriage License dated March 16, 1866 from Rock Island, Illinois. I wrote the Rock Island county courthouse to get this copy.
Grandpa Gibson
Mullen, NE
The funeral of Alexander Gibson was held from the residence Tuesday morning. Friends of the deceased came from all parts of the county and from contiguous counties to pay respect to the memory of a man whose life has been an inspiration to all who have come in contact with him. The concourse of people was so large that no building in Hooker county could accommodate them and for more than an hour they stood in revenential mien with bared heads and hearts surcharged with loving sympathy for Grandma Gibson, her six daughters and her son which Rev. Ware spoke words of comfort and consolation. The casket was ladened with exquisite floral tributes, emblematic of the resurrection brought by the women as in the days of yore to anoint the body.
Alexander Gibson died May 1909 at 3:15 P.M. He was born in Ireland, 1825 and came over to America in 1841; was married to Ellen Morrison March 16, 1865 and was united with the Methodist church 30 years ago and has lived a Christian life ever since. What more can be said.
For a number of years a sufferer from rheumatism and kindred diseases, from which he could obtain but little relief, Mr. Gibson bore with much patience and resignation the sufferings of his affliction. Sincere and steadfast to principle, genial and liberal, there are many to mourn because he is gone.
Came to America age 16 years
Married age 40 years
Note:
This obituary mentions that Alexander and Ellen were married in 1865, when in fact they were married in 1866 (see Marriage License).
Alexander & Ellen Gibson Gravestone
This is Alexander & Ellen Gibson’s gravestone in Eclipse Cemetery, northwest of Tryon, NE.
William Gibson
William Gibson is one of the well-known citizens of Cherry county, and a prosperous and well-to-do farmer. His residence is on section 34, township 26, range 33, and he is the owner of four hundred and eighty acres of land, all of which is well improved. He is a gentleman of integrity and good judgment and well merits the success which has come to him and the enviable reputation which he enjoys as an old settler and worthy resident of his locality.
Mr. Gibson was born in Rock Island county, Illinois, in 1867. His father, Alex. Gibson, was born in Ireland, as was also his mother. The former followed farming all his life, and the family settled in Iowa when William was a child one year old, and after that lived on several different farms in that state, remaining there for sixteen years in all. He attended the common schools, and worked at farming through his boyhood, coming to Nebraska with his parents about 1883, and when he was twenty-three left home and started for himself, taking a farm in Fillmore county, Nebraska, which he operated for several years. In 1893 he went with his family to McPherson county, settling on barren prairie land, filing on a homestead and proved up on it. There he put up sod buildings and built up a good ranch. That place was located thirty-five miles from a town, and they lived on it for about nine years, then moved to Mullen and made that their home for two years, coming to his present ranch from there. He now has a good ranch and home, having put up good buildings, fences and every improvement. He lately erected a fine barn fifty-six by thirty- two feet, and has plenty of sheds, with wells, windmills, etc.
Mr. Gibson was married in 1891, to Miss Sadie Brown, daughter of John Brown, a farmer and native of Scotland, who settled in this locality many years ago, her mother’s maiden name was Agnes Brown. To Mr. Gibson and his good wife have been born the following children: John, Frank, Irene and Pearl, who form a most charming family group.
Source:
Compendium of History Reminiscence & Biography of Western Nebraska
Chicago: Alden Publishing Company, 1909
Page 205
Note:
William Gibson and Sadie Brown were actually married in January of 1892 (see Certificate of Marriage).
William Gibson & Sadie Brown Certificate of Marriage
This is the original Certificate of Marriage for William Gibson and Sadie Brown dated January 9, 1892 from Omega, McPherson County, Nebraska.
