David Gibson was born March 17, 1828 in County Down, Ireland and died Jan 22, 1904 at 8:30 o’clock a.m. in Montezuma. He had been 58 years in the United States having lived first for 5 years in New York City; then two years in Canada, was afterward in Ill. 12 years and since then for 28 years near Thornburg, Iowa, 6 years at Keswick, 2 years in What Cheer and part of a year up to the time of his death in Montezuma, Iowa where he died.
The deceased was married on Aug. 12, 1854 while living in New York City to Miss Mary J. Macauley. Into this home were born eleven sons and daughters of whom 6 are still living, 3 sons and 3 daughters, they are A.M. Gibson living in What Cheer, Mrs. J. L. Bussing in Burlington, Wash. Robert in Oklahoma, Mrs. Maggie Baldwin, in Des Moines Iowa, J.J. Gibson in Silver City N.M. and Miss Agnes who lived with and cared for the father at the time of his death. Mrs. Baldwin was the only other child able to be present when the final parting came. The other sons and daughters being at a long distance or detained because of sickness.
The deceased had been an invalid for two years before death and had moved from the old farm to What Cheer and Montezuma, to be more free from care and more convenient to medical assistance. The wife and mother of this home died in What Cheer four and one half years ago. One son was buried from What Cheer.
The deceased was one of ten brothers and sisters of whom only two are still living: one Alexander in Nebraska and one Samuel in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Mr. Gibson had united with the Methodist Protestant church 17 years ago at Keswick, Iowa. He had been reared in a Presbyterian home in his boyhood and during his last years and illness spoke many times of his belief in Christ, the bible, prayer, the benefits of a consistent church membership and christian life. He spoke at different times in his last sickness and after helplessness prevented him from going on the streets, of his desire to see as many neighbors and old friends as possible. He spoke often of his children as being widely scattered in different distant homes, was calm when speaking of the end that was not far away, and did not fear to go.
The funeral occurred, on Sunday afternoon January 24, 1904 at 2 o’clock, in the White Oak chapel near Thornburg, Iowa, the sermon being preached by Rev. W.L. Clark, of Montezuma, Iowa.
To each child who helped this father in his last two years of life these words seem appropriate: “The Lord deal kindly with you as ye have dealt with the dead.”
Source:
Newspaper Clipping from 1904
Keokuk County Historical Society, Sigourney, IA
