From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. II, p. 1192
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902

J. S. GIBSON

   One of the honored and distinguished citizens of Geneseo is the well known vice-president of the Geneseo State Bank, J S Gibson.  A man of distinct and forceful individuality, of broad mentality and most mature judgment, he has left and is leaving his impress upon the industrial world.  For years he has been an important factor in the development of the state, in the upbuilding of the city and in the promotion of the enterprises which add not alone to his individual prosperity but also advance the general welfare and prosperity of the city in which he makes his home, and of which he is now the honored mayor.

   Mr Gibson was born in Constantine, St Joseph county, Michigan, thirty-three years ago, and is a son of the Hon. Samuel Gibson, who was a prominent factor in the state of Michigan for fifty years.  As an ex-member of the legislature, banker, farmer and capitalist he wields a wide influence in affairs of his commonwealth, and no man stands higher in business circles than he.  For some four years he has been president of the Commercial State Bank, of Michigan.  Pennsylvania is the state of his nativity, his birth having occurred near Williamsport, and he was there reared and received his education.  He has ever been active and influential in the ranks of the Democratic party, believing firmly in its principles, and he does everything in his power to aid its advancement.  He is also president of the Geneseo State Bank.

   J S Gibson, one of six children, two sons and four daughters, received a good education in his native state and later attended the college at Poughkeepsie, New York.  At an early age he served as book-keeper in the national bank at Constantine, Michigan.  The year 1888 witnessed his arrival in Kansas, and he at once took charge of the bank here.  He has an able assistant in his brother, W G Gibson, who is serving as cashier and who is a popular man for the position.  The bank building is a fine brick block, seventy-five by sixty feet, two stories in height, and the upper floor is made into flats.  By judicious management this has become one of the leading banking institutions in this part of the state, and the reliability of the stockholders has secured it a liberal patronage.

   In 1897 Mr Gibson was united in marriage to Mrs Flora A Coulter, a native of Charlton, Massachusetts, and a daughter of Dr S E Dix.  Our subject is an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party, and was its choice for the high and responsible position of mayor, being now the incumbent of that office.  For ten years he also held the office of treasurer of Geneseo, and is now treasurer of the school board.  He was made a Scottish Rite Mason at Wichita, Kansas, in 1898, and is now serving as junior warden in Geneseo Lodge, No. 361, A F & A M.  He is also a past chancellor of Geneseo Lodge No. 249, K of P.  Although a young man, he has attained eminence in industrial and political life, and the future will undoubtedly hold still higher honors for him, for a man of marked ability and energy is always in demand in connection with the important activities of business and public life.