Tuolumne
County
Biographies
JAMES L. GIBBS
James L. Gibbs is a resident of
Carter’s and is one of the native sons of Tuolumne County. He was born on his father’s ranch, situated
on the banks of the Tuolumne River, four miles from the town, his birth
occurring on the 21st of March, 1864. His father, William D. Gibbs, came to this
state in 1849. He was a native of
Alabama, born April 4, 1827, and was descended from one of the old southern
families. When he was five years of age
his parents removed to Texas, and he was therefore reared in the Lone Star
State.
When James Marshall discovered gold
at Coloma, the news of that discovery spread like wild-fire throughout the
country and from all sections there flocked to California men of strong purpose
who were resolved to seek fortune in the mines.
Mr. Gibbs crossed the plains with mules and a pack train, leaving home
in April, 1849, and arriving in San Francisco in August. While en route the party with which he
traveled had several encounters with the Indians, in which a number of the
emigrants lost their lives and many of their horses and other animals were
stolen by the red men. The company was a
very numerous one when they started, but after a time they separated into
several divisions, and thus divided, the smaller companies continued on their
way. The train with which Mr. Gibbs
traveled proceeded to Los Angeles and thence up the coast. He at once made his way to the mining
district and began the search for gold at Big Oak Flat, where he was very
successful, taking out several ounces of gold each day. Later he went to the Tuolumne River and built
a dam across the stream, but when the heavy rainstorms came it was washed out
and the money he thus expended was lost. Subsequently he engaged in ranching near La
Grange, and in 1861 he came to Carter’s, which was then called
Summerville. Here he became interested
in quartz mining and prosperity again attended his efforts. He was also in the butchering business for a
time, but ultimately removed to his ranch, where he had three hundred and
twenty acres of valuable land. He
carried on stock raising extensively and his fields
were highly cultivated. He had a good
home upon his place and for thirty-five years it was his residence. A man of much intelligence, Mr. Gibbs was
formerly a very active and influential member of the Democratic Party, but he
left office-holding to others. He was a
valued member of the Masonic fraternity.
Mr. Gibbs was united in marriage
December 24, 1853, to Miss Mary F. Summers, a native of Missouri and a daughter
of a California pioneer. They had
sixteen children, twelve of whom reached years of maturity, while eleven are
still living. The father died on the 9th
of September, 1895, but his good wife still survives and is now in the
sixty-fifth year of her age, one of the highly esteemed and brave pioneer
women, whose identification with California covers a long period. The children living are: G. J., now a resident of Texas; Laura E., the
wife of Robert A. Sowrie, a minister of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South; Flora E., the wife of William R. Barger; James Lee and
his twin sister, Lee Dora, the latter the wife of Fordy
Ball; Frances, the wife of W. E. Booker, one of the supervisors of the county;
H. J., who is in Texas; W. A., a resident of Chinese Camp; Rosie, the wife of
Rev. Z. Needham, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South; J. J.,
who is now in the store with his brother; and Roy, who is in Fresno.
James Lee Gibbs, whose name
introduces this review, and who has so kindly furnished the material for the
history of his honored parents and family, was educated in the public schools
of Tuolumne County, and resided on the ranch with his father until his
twentieth year, when he learned the blacksmith’s trade, which he followed at
Carter’s until 1896. He then embarked in
merchandising and now carries a new and well selected stock of general
merchandise, keeping everything needful for the population of the town and
surrounding country, including mining supplies.
He is a very obliging and popular merchant, his straightforward dealing
and courteous treatment of his customers securing him a very liberal patronage,
which is constantly growing. His trade
thus grows in volume and importance and is now a profitable source of income.
Mr. Gibbs was married August 24,
1898, to Mrs. Dell Pruett, a widow with two children, Harvey and Jessie. Mr. Gibbs is a valued member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and has followed in the political footsteps
of his honored father, being a staunch Democrat. He has a wide acquaintance in the county in
which he makes his home and where his entire life has been passed, and those who
are known from boyhood are numbered among his warmest friends, a fact which
indicates that his career has been worthy of regard.
Transcribed by
Gerald Iaquinta.
Source:
“A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of Northern
California”, Pages 472-474. Chicago Standard Genealogical Publishing Co. 1901.
© 2010
Gerald Iaquinta.