Eliza was born to John James and Sarah Emily (Donahoo) Gibson.

The 1850 census shows Eliza's parents John and Sarah as house number in order of visitation as 339 and Joshua and Eliza as 340.

1850 census dated 29th Day of August
Dwelling/House numbered in the order of visitation: 339
Families numbered in the order of visitation: 355
Residence: Linn County, Linn, Iowa, USA
John Gibson, age 40, Farmer, value of real estate owned 3,000, born in North Carolina
Sarah Gibson, age 35, born in Virginia
William Gibson, age 16, born in Indiana (1834)
Catharine Gibson, age 14, born in Indiana (1836)
Mary E. Gibson, age 12, born in Illinois (1838)
Sterling S. Gibson, age 3, born in Iowa (1843)
Iram H. Gibson, age 3 months, born in Iowa (1850)
(John and Sarah also had a daughter Lemira born 1841, died 1844)

Dwelling/House numbered in the order of visitation: 340
Families numbered in the order of visitation: 356
Joshua Morford, age 23, Farmer, born in Pennsylvania
Eliza J. Morford, age 18, born in Indiana, 1831

From unidentified newspaper
Greene, Iowa
(Butler County)
Wednesday, November 22, 1916
The grim reaper is busy again in our community. Another time honored pioneer citizen closed her life work here on earth and bid farewell to earthly scenes at the hour of 12:30 Saturday morning, November 18, 1916, after several weeks of suffering, patiently borne, due largely to her advanced age, being near her 87th anniversary. She was born in Knoxville Tennessee, December 3, 1831, and lived with her parents in Indiana and Illinois until 7 years of age, when they came to Lisbon, Iowa, whereat the age of 12 years she was happily converted, uniting at that time with the United Brethren church and remained a loyal member of the same until called home. Next to her God she loved her church. August 14, 1849, Eliza Gibson was married at Lisbon to Mr. Joshua Morford with whom she lived happily for 14 brief years. Five children, three girls and two boys were their heritage, Sarah died in infancy and the husband and father in 1862, while in California seeking gain for his loved ones. Mrs. Morford with her four children who were living at that time came to this place and for more than forty two years has been a resident in this community. Three of the family have died during the time. Annie, Mrs. Graves, Heryle and John Morford, leaving but one daughter to mourn the loss of a faithful loving mother, who proved that the lonely heart that leans on God is happy anywhere. Hers was a strenuous life and might have been lonely some times save for the grand and great grandsons for whom she cared so lovingly, some of whom had known no other mother love. In 1870 she was married to Mr. Amos Atkinson, who preceded her in death some years ago. She was a devoted mother and grandmother. living, loving and sacrificing for her dear ones. She was remarkable for her years. She loved life, she welcomed death as the gate to eternal life. She will be greatly missed by neighbors and friends. The hearty welcome and friendly greeting always in store for any who entered her home. But the grandchildren who knew no other home will miss her most and the daughter, Mrs. Emma McTaggart, of Lamberton, Minnesota, who with her husband was here to attend the funeral, the arrangements for which had been made by deceased. Rev. Hartsough, a former pastor of Clear Lake spoke words of comfort from the text she had chosen. "She hath done what she could ". A quartet sang her favorite hymns. Beautiful flowers were in evidence. She was laid to rest beside her loved ones in Oak Hill cemetery.