Pulaski County ArArchives Biographies.....Gibb, Edward W. 
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Robert Sanchez http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00027.html#0006574 July 12, 2009, 6:49 pm

Author: S. J. Clarke (Publisher, 1922)

EDWARD W. GIBB.
    When New England thrift and enterprise are added to western opportunity, the
results are certain. From the eastern coast have come men of energy and
determination who have recognized the chances for development and progress
beyond the Mississippi and have contributed largely to the work of upbuilding
and improvement. To this class belonged Edward W. Gibb and in his life's story
there is much of inspirational value, much that can serve as an example to
others. Mr. Gibb was born in Hinesburg, Vermont. He was educated in private
schools and at an academy and was still pursuing his studies at the age of
nineteen years when his father died, leaving a family of six children, of whom
Edward W. was the eldest. He took over his father's business, that of dealing in
carriage furnishings and material, and a few years later removed to Chicago,
where he established a carriage furnishings and material business, which was
successful from the beginning. Within a short time he had established a
wholesale concern for carriage goods in a five-story building filled with a
large stock and was conducting a most profitable trade when in October, 1871,
the Chicago fire wiped out his establishment, causing him a heavy loss. Although
he saved nothing he paid one hundred cents on the dollar to his creditors. In
December, 1871, through the influence of a brother he came to Little Rock, here
joining his brother, Henry Gibb, in the sawmill and lumber business. At first
Edward W. Gibb worked for wages, with the desire to see how the business was
conducted in the south. He soon learned that methods were far different from
those employed in the north. He had been trained to strict economy and in the
thrifty way of the New Englander and his early training made deep impression
upon him and was of great value to him in later life. He saw where many
improvements could be made in the way of managing the sawmill and lumber
business and eventually he purchased the lumber interests of his brother and
organized a company under the firm name of Butler, Gibb & Company. This company
conducted the famous old red mill at the foot of Spring street. For years he
successfully conducted this enterprise and his progressive methods, close
application and indefatigable energy brought to him a substantial measure of
success.

    In 1857 Mr. Gibb was united in marriage to Miss Isabella A. Emerson, who had
been reared in a home of refinement and culture and was liberally educated in
New York state. She has spent three seasons in travel in Europe and one in the
Orient and gleaned much interesting and valuable knowledge from her travels,
possessing an observing eye and retentive memory. Coming to Little Rock, she at
once became a favorite in social circles here. She was always a great student of
ancient and religious history and has perhaps one of the best photographic
collections of Oriental history and places which can be found in America. Her
liberal culture and truly womanly qualities have caused her to be loved and
esteemed by the people throughout the state, wherever she is known. To Mr. and
Mrs. Gibb were born two sons: Fred Emerson, who died, aged twenty-three, a very
promising young man, who was loved and respected by all who knew him; and Frank
W., who is an architect of Little Rock and has attained eminence in his chosen
field. Mr. Gibb built one of the large and beautiful southern homes of Little
Rock, which was occupied by the family until after the son's death. At all times
it was Mr. Gibbs' desire to make Little Rock a city of great beauty as well as
of commercial prominence and he ever bent his energies in that direction. He was
an advocate of giving sites to induce manufacturers to locate here and to exempt
them from taxation for a few years until they should be placed upon a
substantial business basis. His views in this respect, however, were not popular
with the powers that were, yet there are many who acknowledge that such a course
would have been of greatest possible benefit to Little Rock.

    Mr. Gibb retired from business in 1887, some time prior to his death, giving
his attention thereafter to the management of his large property interests, for
he had made extensive investments in real estate and derived therefrom a most
gratifying income. His last days were spent in Chicago, whither he had gone to
escape the oppressive heat of the summer in the south. There he was taken ill
and died suddenly, on the 19th of August, 1901. In his passing Little Rock lost
one of her most respected and representative men. He was a member of the
Eclectic Club and the Shakespeare Club. In politics he was a republican, but
never an office-seeker. His position as one of the foremost and honored
residents of Little Rock always remains unchallenged.


Additional Comments:
Citation:
Centennial History of Arkansas
Volume II
Chicago-Little Rock: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company
1922


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