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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
Past & Present History of Wyandot County, Ohio -
Illustrated
Vol. II
Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1913
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ADDISON ELI GIBBS
is living practically retired in Carey after a long period of close
identification with its business life. He is giving his time
to the supervision and management of his extensive interests and
occupies a leading place among the influential and prominent men of
the community. He is a native of Ohio, born in Portage county,
Feb. 22, 1831, and is a son of one of the pioneers of the state.
His father, Eli Gibbs, was born in Massachusetts, June 8,
1802, and in the early '20s moved to Portage county, Ohio, where he
farmed. In 1840 he came by wagon to Wyandot county and with
his wife and four sons lived for about two years on a farm near
Upper Sandusky. He died Dec. 4, 1866, and his wife, who was in
her maidenhood Miss Lucinda Cody, passed away in the same
year.
Addison E. Gibbs acquired his education in the
Ohio district schools, attending during the winter onths and helping
with the work of the farm during the summers. At the age of
fifteen he laid aside his books and obtained a position in a general
store at Patterson, in Hardin county, where he worked for one year
for six dollars and a half per month. When he was sixteen he
worked out as a farm hand in Seneca county, and in the fall of teh
same year obtained a position on the Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad,
receiving for his services nineteen dollars a month in the winter
and twenty dollars during the summer season. It is a curious
fact he has the only member of that construction gang who is living
today. Mr. Gibbs aided his parents until he was
twenty-one years of age but afterward moved to Republic, Seneca
county, and there worked in a grain elevator belonging to the
railroad company. In 1855 he moved into Carey and has since
maintained his resident in this city. For some time he had
charge of the large elevator here and retained his position for
three years, after which he conducted a similar enterprise in the
interests of Dow & Park. In 1862 he formed a partnership with
Messrs. Park and Swartz and engaged in the grain and
seed trade until the spring of 1864, when he purchased an interest
in the drug business belonging to Houck & Myers. This
he sold out in order to enter the army and he served loyally and
faithfully until the close of hostilities. Upon his return he
took a position in the dry goods store of Park & Swartz
but shortly afterward was appointed agent of the United States
Express Company, an office which he held until he was succeeded by
his son Frank, the combined terms of service of father and
son extending over forty years. To his activity in this line
Mr. Gibbs added, in 1865, the duties of agent of the
Cleveland, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad and this position he held
until 1881 without the loss of a day's active life, but after a few
days grew discontented with his inactivity and resumed business.
He purchased the grocery store of A. J. Frederick and
conducted it until 1906, when he sold the enterprise and again
retired. He has, however, an office in one of his business
blocks and there he still looks after his extensive interests.
No man occupied a more enviable position in the community than he,
not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but also owing to
the fact that his methods have been straightforward and honorable.
He is a dependable man under all circumstances and the simple weight
of his character and ability has carried him into important business
relations.
On the 8th of April, 1852, Mr. Gibbs was united
in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Kerstetter, who died on Oct.
21, 1899. To their union were born nine children:
Alice; Ella; Florence, deceased; Hattie; Maud, who
has also passed away; Frank C.; Fred W.; Hiram J.;
and Edward A. Politically Mr. Gibbs gives his
allegiance to the republican party, his study of the questions and
issues of the day leading him to the opinion that the principles of
that party are best calculated to conserve the general good.
He has been township clerk, member of the school board, treasurer of
the city of Carey and also treasurer of the school board and a
member of the city council. Fraternally he is affiliated with
the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a dignified, courteous
gentleman, of kindly spirit and strong principles, who through his
marked individuality has left an impress for good upon the community
in which he has so long resided.
~ Page 237 - Source: Past & Present History of Wyandot County, Ohio -
Illustrated -
Vol. II -
Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1913 |
William A. Gipson |
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