Representative D. Millard Gibson View All Years

HON. D. M. GIBSON

MR. SPEAKER: Your committee, appointed to prepare resolutions in commemoration of the life, character and services of the Hon. D. M. Gibson, begs leave to submit the following report:

D. Millard Gibson, son of E. P. and Edith Millard Gibson, was born in Osceola, Iowa, September 11, 1868, and died at his home near that city June 1, 1930. With the exception of three years during which time he resided in Nebraska, the deceased continued his residence in Clarke County, Iowa.

January 22, 1895, he was united in marriage with Ettie M. Mohler and to them eight children were born: Edith Ellen, who died at the age of three years; Elizabeth, wife of Carleton Neal of Battle Creek, Michigan; Louise, widow of Loren Crawford deceased; Beryl, wife of Charles E. Prescott of Passaic, New Jersey; Pauline, wife of Lyle Foster of Osceola, Iowa; Frank Gibson of Los Angeles, California, and Bernice and Donovan, residing at the family home.

Mr. Gibson was reared on a farm near Osceola, receiving his education in the rural school, the Osceola High School, Simpson College and a business course at Highland Park College of Des Moines. He followed the vocation of farming until a few years before his death when he moved with his family to the city of Osceola. Here he was president of the Iowa State Bank and an active Farm Bureau worker. He took a great interest and was a tireless worker in many community enterprises.

In 1920, Mr. Gibson was honored by election to the office of state representative of Clarke county to the Thirty-ninth General Assembly, and was re-elected to the Fortieth General Assembly in 1922. Here he served with loyalty and devotion the people who elected him to this responsibility. Those who knew him best loved and respected him as is evidenced by a clipping contained in a local paper—The Osceola Sentinel—from which we quote.

“Clarke county has no better citizen than was D. M. Gibson. He was an elder in the Osceola Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Osceola K. P. lodge; was prominent and active in the Clarke County Farm Bureau and other local organizations. A Christian gentleman, congenial and courteous, he met his associates on the higher plan of right living and his presence afforded an inspiration for pure thought and helpful activities.

“In his busy life he found time to contribute his portion to the public service for the greatest advancement of community and civic welfare. Whether engaged as a township official, a bank president or a member of the state Legislature he was ever found faithful, aggressive and reliable. In other words his life exemplified the higher ideals of Christian citizenship. Just how much we owe to the influence of men and women such as was Millard Gibson we can scarcely realize nor fully understand.”

Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Forty-fourth General Assembly, That we extend our sympathies to the family and express our appreciation of the life and character and public services of the Honorable D. M. Gibson.

Be It Further Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of the House and the Chief Clerk be directed to send an enrolled copy to the family.

LEROY SHIELDS,

VICTOR FELTER,

JAS. L. RANDALL,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 13, 1931.