Henry Elliot Gibson

Henry Elliot Gibson was born on Jan 14, 1827, in Otsego County, New York to John and Elizabeth Wade Gibson. He was one of the first Settlers of Richmond in 1859. He served as one of the first members of the City Council when Richmond was incorporated in 1868.

Early Life

He was raised by personation towards religion being a Methodist.1

After his baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on March 29, 1847, Henry worked in Leroy, Tennessee County for a wagon shop.1 While working here, Henry attended Church meetings in Batavia and met Elisa Gibbs. That spring, they were married.1

Travel to Utah

After his marriage in 1847, with his family, Henry Gibson embarked west in 1848 along with Eliza's family.1 While traveling, their first child was born, Helen Adelia Gibson.

California Gold Rush

In 1849, Henry went to California during the gold rush alongside Church Apostles Charles C. Rich and George Q. Cannon to find gold for the Church and Territory of Utah to use to boost its economy.1

He returned to Utah after hearing Brigham Young had been appointed governor of the Utah Territory.

Life in Richmond

After returning to Utah, Henry went north into Utah to live in Richmond in 1859 as one of the Early Settlers, and later part of the Richmond Fort. Henry served as Justice of Peace in Richmond.

Member of the City Council (1868 - 1872)

William D. Hendricks served as the first Mayor of Richmond after it was incorporated as a city in February of 1868. He was sworn into office on May 28, 1868, with the first City Council members: Stillman Pond, Henry E. Gibson, David P. Rainey, Neriah Lewis, and Thomas L. Whittle with William Beers as City Recorder. They were in charge of hiring individuals to fill in the necessary appointments for the city. Such were Christopher M. Olsen, City Treasurer; William F. Fisher, Assessor and Collector; William T. Van Noy, City Marshall; Christopher M. Funk, Supervisor of Streets; William H. Lewis and R. Marion Kerr, Chief of Police; David P. Rainey, Neriah R. Lewis, Marcus E. Funk, and George F. Burnham, Deputies of Police. Along with this, they had appointed the city seal, passed the first City Ordinance of constructing bridges across all ditches, and named the streets of Richmond. 

Business

During his time in Richmond, Henry became business partners with David Eccles, C. A. Smurthwaite, and D. G. Nelson. Henry became president and General Manager of the Layton Milling company, which he organized in 1890.2 During this time, Henry moved to Ogden, Utah.

Epolouge

Henry Elliot Gibson died on Oct 19, 1912 in Ogden, and was buried in the Ogden, Utah Cemetery. 

Sources