Thomas N. Gibson of Texas County, Missouri

Thomas N. Gibson is a son of William F. and Rachel (Brookshire) Gibson, and was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., October 27, 1834. His father was born in the "Palmetto State," June 7, 1810, and immigrated in wagons with his parents to Tennessee when twelve years of age, settling in Rutherford County, where he resided until 1835, when he located in Linn County, Mo., where he is still living, at the age of seventy-nine years, and has been justice of that county for twelve years. To him and wife, who was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., twelve children have been born, eight of whom are living: George W., Mary C., Amanda, Sarah, James W., Daniel R., David A., and Thomas. Those deceased are Martha A., Elizabeth, John and an infant. Mrs. Gibson died July 27, 1856, after which Mr. Gibbons wedded Rebecca Schrock, by whom he has three children: Robert L., Andrew J. and Lucy. The grandfather, Thomas N. Gibson, was born in Ireland, and immigrated to the United States when a young man, settling in South Carolina during the Revolutionary War. Ruth A. Fowler, his wife, was born in London, England. Grandfather Brookshire was also of Irish birth, but his wife was of Dutch extraction. Thomas N. Gibson, whose name heads this sketch, was reared in Linn County, Mo., and received the education which was accorded the average farmer's boy of his day. At the age of twenty-three years he wedded Mary A. Purden, who was born in Boone County, Mo., and five children have blessed their union: Huldah, Jeanette, Lloyd, Dora and Byron. August 25, 1876, the mother of these children died, and Mr. Gibson then espoused Mrs. Sarah V. (Cline) Haney, a daughter of Isaac and Theresa Cline, both parents and daughter being natives of Clark County, Va. To Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, who were married in 1877, two children have been born: John T. and Pearl. Mr. Gibson resided in Linn County, Mo., until 1867, and from that time until 1886 resided in Sullivan County, coming to Texas County at the latter date. He served as justice of Linn County, and is the present postmaster of Big Creek, and in his political views is a stanch Democrat. He is a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and is one of the county's well-to-do farmers.