Sacramento County
Biographies
ROBERT J. GIBSON
ROBERT J. GIBSON. Those whose
experience and knowledge enable them to form correct estimates of the character
of soil assert that the valley of the Sacramento compares
favorably with any section of California. Yet the property-owners in that portion of
the valley immediately adjacent to the river, where the bottom land under
favorable circumstances would return them large interest upon their investment,
have witnessed often the ruin of their crops by the overflowing of the river. Consequently they have labored under
circumstances especially discouraging.
To remedy this evil Robert J. Gibson, the owner of a ranch seven miles
south of Washington, Yolo county, and one of those
affected by the high waters, was instrumental in securing the organization in
1903 of reclamation district No. 742, the object of which is to reclaim the
overflowed lands. Through a special
assessment levied upon every acre in the district, a total assessment of $33,000
was secured with which to build levees and also for a large pumping plant
suitable for pumping the water from the land as well as for irrigation
purposes. Up to this writing (the latter
part of 1904) $14,000 has been expended in work and for the pumping plant. As a rule the land-owners are building their
own levees and thus saving a large expense.
On the completion of the work it is believed that the land thus
reclaimed will possess exceptional advantages both for hop culture and garden
products.
Of
English birth and ancestry, Robert J. Gibson was born in Yorkshire,
April 23, 1865. During the years of
boyhood he remained on the home farm.
Starting out for himself at twenty years of age, he secured employment
in a market at Birmingham, England,
and there became familiar with every department of the trade. Upon resigning that position he went to Liverpool
and opened a market, which he conducted for three years. The failure of his health caused him to
dispose of the business and seek another climate. Having heard much concerning
the climate of the Pacific coast region he decided to visit the western coast
of America,
with a view to permanent settlement.
September 3, 1891, he landed at Sacramento, and at
once formed such a favorable opinion of the region that he since has made his
home in this part of California. For six months he was employed in a market at
Michigan Bar. At the expiration of that
time he opened a market at Florin, Sacramento
county, and there he continued for a number of years
with fair success. In order to engage in
business upon a larger scale, he formed a company, raised the necessary
capital, and conducted markets not only at Florin, but
also at Hangtown Crossing and Elk Grove, running
about six wagons in the interests of the trade.
During 1898 he disposed of his interest in the company and settled on a
ranch in Yolo county.
After operating rented property for three years he purchased and removed
to his present ranch on the Sacramento river,
consisting of sixty-seven and one-half acres, for which he paid $90 per acre. On his place there is a private pumping plant
as well as the pumping plant belonging to the reclamation district, and he acts
as a trustee of the district, the favorable condition of which is due in no
small measure to his assiduous labors.
While residing in Florin he was united in marriage, August 6, 1892, with
Miss Ella F. Merwin, who was born in Sacramento
county and has spent her entire life in this
valley. In politics he believes in the
principles of the Democratic party and supports them
by his ballot, but as yet has not been active in public affairs. With his wife he holds membership in the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Transcribed by Priscilla Delventhal.
Source: “History of
the State of California and Biographical Record of the Sacramento Valley,
California” by
J. M. Guinn. Pages 387-388.
Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1906.
© 2007 Priscilla Delventhal.