Surnames: Gibbs, Fox, Haas, Brandt

----Source: THORP COURIER (Thorp, Clark County, Wis.) 06/22/1944

Gibbs, Francis H. (19 AUG 1867 - 16 JUN 1944)

Francis Henry Gibbs was born on Aug. 19, 1867, in Wayland Township, Michigan, and at the age of nine came with his parents in a covered wagon to Wisconsin, locating near Coloma.

Following his marriage to Minnie R. Fox on July 5, 1890, he lived in Bradley, Michigan, until his return to Coloma, Wis. in 1892. Subsequently he moved to Packwaukee, where he built a home and lived for 15 years, carrying on his work as carpenter and architect. After acting as manager of a lumber yard in Plainfield for some time, he came to Thorp (Clark Co., Wis.) on Sept. 28, 1906, settling on the Town of Worden farm where he has since resided.

To the union were born six children: Ray and Rex, who died in infancy, Beulah (Mrs. M.J. Haas) of Withee; Bethelva (Mrs. Carl Brandt) of Stanley, Reid of Thorp and Roy of Milwaukee, Wis.

Having always been engaged in work related to building construction, Mr. Gibbs still carried on this activity to some extent, in addition to the task of converting a wilderness into the modern farm which it is today. Many buildings which he designed and built throughout the surrounding country stand as testimony to his skill. Several years ago, he served successively as assessor and treasurer of the town of Worden.

In his declining years, not being able to carry on the strenuous work of younger days, his chief interests were the improvement and beautification of his home and the realization of a lifelong desire to travel to the west coast, visiting friends and relatives, as well as the many points of scenic and historic interest enroute.

He passed away after a lingering illness of ten months, on June 16, 1944, at the age of 76 years, 9 months and 27 days.

Services were held at the Thorp Funeral Home on June 19, 1944, with Rev. Wesley Hotchkiss of Owen conducting, followed by burial in Oakland Cemetery at Stanley. Acting as pallbearers were: Harry Boie, John Misfeldt, Perry Kuhn, Chas. Henkins, John Miller and Bert Hubbard.