The progenitor of the Gibsons of Luzerne Township, Fayette County, was one James Gibson, who migrated from Ireland in 1770, and located in Chester County, Penna, and engaged in farming. He followed his vocation until 1776 when he entered the Continental army and served until the surrender of Cornwallis. After the surrender he found that two of his brothers were soldiers in the British army, having been pressed into the service by the mother country. At the close of the struggle they settled in Virginia, and their descendants nearly all reside there.James Gibson's home continued in Chester County until 1790, when he emigrated to Southwestern Pennsylvania, and settled upon a farm in Luzerne township, where his son Alexander Gibson afterwards lived and died, and which is now in possession of Mr Oliver Miller. James Gibson was married to Margaret Lackey in 1792. They had six children, of whom Alexander Gibson, the subject of this sketch, was the third. He was born June 8, 1797. His early life was spent upon his
father's farm, and he received his education in the country schools of that period. He began to work for himself at the age of twenty years, engaging in wagoning from Wheeling to Baltimore, and in 1820, changed his route to and from Baltimore to Nashville, Tennessee. Here he, in company with Levi Crawford, now living in Luzerne township, spent two years trading with the Cherokee Indians. In 1823 he returned to Pennsylvania, sold his team, and purchased a farm.On the 24th of June 1824, he was married to Mary Hibbs of Redstone township. To them were born six children, four of whom are living, viz: James G Gibson, married first to Mary Rodgers. They had two children-John A Gibson and Mary R Gibson. Mary died in 1860. He was married again June 25, 1867, to Rebecca J Haney. Margaret J Gibson married to William H Miller; Mary A Gibson married to Oliver Miller. They have two children, Albert G Miller and Emma V Miller. Albert M married to Alice Frey. They have one child, Nellie. The most of Alexander Gibson's active business life was spent in farming and stock-dealing. He was industrious, a good manager, and accumulated enough property to give each of his children a fair start in life. He never sought political preferment. He was prompt to perform what he promised, and was highly esteemed by his neighbors. He was eminently a man of peace, and never had a lawsuit in his life. He was for man years an active member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his Christian life challenged the respect of those who knew him. He died July 12, 1875, and his remains rest in the Hopewell cemetery. His wife, Mary, died January 25, 1876.