Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 681–682; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
John W. Giberson. A good standing among the agriculturists
of the count is held by the gentleman above named, whose
comfortable estate consists of one hundred and forty acres on section
8, Deerfield Township. The land bears a full line of improvements
including a pleasing dwelling, adequate barns and out-buildings and a
sufficient number of fruit trees to furnish the family with an abundant
supply in their season. The farm is well stocked and the most
approved methods are used in its cultivation.
A few rods regarding the parents of our subject will not be
amiss before beginning the history of his own life. They were
born in Ohio, and removed to Scott County, Iowa, 1844, locating on a
farm near Davenport. Thence they came to this county in 1855,
taking up their residence in Lee Township. The mother, formerly
Berthena McBride, passed away during that year, the date of her demise
being about January, 1855. The father, David Giberson, survived
until 1872. The parental family consisted of three sons and four
daughters.
Our subject, who was the youngest son, was born in Davenport,
Iowa, November 14, 1845, and received his education principally in the
district schools of Lee and Deerfield Townships, this county, to which
he was brought in early boyhood. At the early age of seventeen
years he took his place in the army of his country determined to do
what he might to preserve the Union. His name was attached to the
muster roll of Company I, Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry, and he took part
in the battles of Nashville and Franklin, Tenn., Jonesville, Va., and
many others. He served through the Atlanta campaign, during which
he had two horses shot from under him. He was so fortunate as to
have quite good health during his army life, with the exception of an
attack of erysipelas contracted at Springfield through impure
vaccine. Mr. Giberson remained with his regiment until the close
of the war, doing valiant service, and was honorably discharge in
August, 1865.
On returning to his home the young man took up the peaceful arts
of agricultural life, continuing to occupy his place at the parental
fireside until his marriage, which was solemnized April 29, 1869.
For some time thereafter he worked at coal-mining, then moved onto a
farm of eight acres which has since been his place of residence.
He subsequently added sixty acres to his estate, making up its present
extent from which an excellent support is obtained.. While
industriously pursuing his chosen calling, Mr. Giberson has found time
to serve his fellow-citizens in the capacity of Roadmaster one year and
as School Director, the latter being a work which he is still engaged
in. He votes the Republican ticket but takes no other part in
political affairs.
The lady who presides over the home and household economy of our
subject is Nancy J., daughter of Alexander and Isabel (Coe) Reed.
She was born in Ellisville Township, this county, February 9, 1853, and
is the youngest daughter in a family of five children. She was
well and carefully reared and grew to womanhood in possession of an
estimable character and useful habits. Her parents were born in
the Buckeye State. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Giberson consists
of three sons and two daughters, all at home except the first-born, who
has been called from time to eternity. Their record is as
follows: John Williams, born September 14, 1869, died November 3,
1878; James H., born October 6, 1871; George L., February 4, 1873; Mary
Alice, October 1, 1875; Albert Allen, March 16, 1879; Stella May,
November 20, 1882.
Mr. and Mrs. Giberson and the two oldest sons belong to the
Christian Church. Mr. Giberson is a Deacon in the congregation at
Ellisville and Superintendent of the Sunday-school. He and his
family take an active part in the work that is being done for Christ
and earnestly endeavor to make their own lives correspond with the
religion they profess.
