J.T. Thoburn was born in Point Fortune, Canada, the sixth child of fourteen, and came to the U.S. at the age of 5. The family settled in Marquette County, Michigan, first in Humboldt, and a short time later, in Republic, where he spent his boyhood. A couple of Indian families were the only other residents of Republic at that time. In 1885 the Gibsons moved to Champion. In 1891 J.T., with his wife Eva, and baby girl, Merle, moved to Amasa.

During the 1880's J.T. and his father, Matthew, using a dip needle and compass, followed a vein of iron ore from Republic to what is now Amasa where they founded the Hemlock Mine near the west bank of the Hemlock River, which they sold to Pickands, Mather, & Co. for $40,000. The Michigan Mine on the hill East of the Hemlock River was later developed by the Hemlock River Exploration Company. Later he was employed by the Oliver Mining Company as Range Superintendent of Mining Explorations during which time he founded the Gibson Mine, later mined from the Porter Mine shaft. His last explorations were conducted by the Gibson-Carlson Company north-west of Amasa. This exploration was closed in the early 1930s due to the "Great Depression."

In 1891 J.T. was elected as Hematite Township's first supervisor, a position he held on 12 occasions; he was member of Board of Education, serving as president of the School Board when the "New" School was built in 1920. He also served as Postmaster and owned one of the first general stores in town.

He served on the Iron County road commission for over 20 years; and on the Iron County Parks Board at its inception. Gibson Lake and the park at this location were named after him in recognition of his services to the county. He owned a farm on the north side of the lake together with a parcel of land extending west to east side of Fire Lake.

He was an active member of the Amasa Methodist Church from the time of its construction to his death. He was also a Life Member of the Crystal Falls Masonic Lodge 385 and the Masonic Consistory of Detroit. He was also a dedicated advocate of the Temperance Movement.

Republic -- Thoburn Gibson Dies

Republic, Jan 12 -- Word was received here of the death in the Crystal Falls hospital Saturday of Thoburn Gibson, 79, Amasa, a a former Republic and Champion resident. Gibson was engaged in the mining business and operated the Gibson mine in Iron county for a number of years. He had been ill for several months. Besides his wife he leaves a grandson, Thoburn Gibson II, of Amasa, a brother, Thomas Gibson, of Keweenaw Bay, and three sisters, Miss Annie Mae Gibson, of Iron River; Mrs. Ira Odgers, of Crystal Falls, and Mrs. William Schemerhorn, of Milwaukee, Wis., five cousins, Mrs. Arthur Bice, Miss Mayme Donaldson, Rowland Gamble, John Donaldson and George Gamble and an uncle, H.R. Gamble, all of Republic, also survive. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 this afternoon in the family home in Amasa.