Mesa county lost another of its real pioneer citizens with the passing this morning of George Mernes Gibson at his home in Plateau City. Death followed a lengthy illness. Mr. Gibson had been in gradually failing health for the past 10 to 15 years. He had failed rapidly during the past year and had been in a critical condition for the past week.

George M. Gibson was born in Tilden, Ill., Aug. 25, 1864. He resided there during his early boyhood, and when 15 accompanied his parents to Girard, Kan. Both the father and son were employed in a grain elevator at Girard and there the son's health failed.

When he was 21 years of age, Mr. Gibson started west with a team and wagon planning to drive thru to California for his health. Enroute he met up with Frank and Charles Campbell, and together they drove to the Collbarn district, locating in the Meadows. It was in 1886 they arrived in the Meadows and the three men decided to locate there, each filing on a homestead.

Mr. Gibson was a civil engineer of considerable talent and surveyed much of the Plateau valley district. at the same time he was engaged in ranching and the lumber business. On Nov 21, 1906, Mr. Gibson was united in marriage to Mollie A. Ryan, well known as a school teacher in the Plateau valley region. They soon after built the home in Plateau City in which his death occurred this morning.

Mr. Gibson is survived by his widow, a brother, Hugh Gibson of Collbran and a sister, Mrs. Janie Manning of Sterling, Kan. There are also surviving a number of nieces and nephews.

Services will be held from the Callahan Funeral home in this city. The date is indefinite pending word from the sister. If it is found she cannot come for the service, it will be held Thursday."

--The Daily Sentinel (Grand Junction, CO) Tue. Jan. 26, 1943

Obituary submitted by Phillip Weiss.

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