Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-11-09

Our community was startled, on the morn
ing of the 2Sth inst, by the announcement
that DIR. Lorenzo Gibson, who, the day be-
fore was in the enjoym ment of his usual
health and spirits, had brea thed his last, At
clock, a. IA.
DR.. Gibson was native of Tennessee,
and was sixty-three years of age. lie stud.
led law in Clarksville, in his native county.
Montgomery, and was admitted to the bar
at an early age. In consequence of a dis
ease which embarrassed him in its pursuit,
he abandoned the legal and adopted the
medical profession, in which he acquired a
degree of proficiency seldom attained.
In 1884, he immigrated to the Territory
OF Arkansas, and established himself as a
merchant in this city. When the memors-
BILE financial crash OF 1887 came upon the
country, with most Of those engaged in mer-
cantile pursuits, be was crushed, and com
pelled TO seek the repair of his broken for
tunes, in other and less hazardous pursuits
In lS4l he removed to Hot Springs county.
and engaged in farming and the practice OF
incidence and in lS49 returned to this CITY,
where he resided to the time of his death.
In short time after his emigration to
Arkansas DIR. Gibson became prominent in
the political affairs of the country. He rep
resented Pulaski county in the lower house
OF the General Assembly, in the sessions of
1888, le40-l. Hot Spring county in the
session of 1923, and Pulaski county.
again, in the session of 1867. In 1910, be
was the candidate of the Whig party for
Governor. In lS49, upon the accession of
the Wings to the administration of the Gen
eral Government, he was appointed by
President Taylor Surveyor General of Ar
kansas, and continued to hold that Office,
dlscharging its duties with marked ability.
until the close Of President Fillmores Ad-
ministration. AT the election for members
OF Congress, in 1864, he received a large
vote for representative from this district, and
at the time OF his death, was prominent be-
fore the public for the position of U. S. Sem
ator.
When DR.. Gibson entered the political
arena, he found there such men as Ashley,
Sewer, Cummins, Fowler, Trapnall, Cooke
and Newton men, whose names, when the
history OF Arkansas Is written, will adorn
its brightest pages, and he was the acknowl-
edged peer Of the ablest of them. As a
debater, whether In the legislative halls or
at the hustiDgs, ii is doubtful whether he
bad an equal. His reasoning and analytical
powers were remarkable. Hc possessed the
rare power Of making the most difficult
subjects more interesting to the learned, and
at the same time plain to the understanding
OF the unleaned. Bold in the avowal Of
his opinions, aud firm in maintaining them,
he was ever tolerant Of the opinions of 9th.
ers, and scrupulously regardful Of the rights
and feelings OF those who differed with him
But II was not alone upon the public stage
that DIR. Gibson slrbne conspicuously. In
the relations Of husband, father and friend,
be presented model for imitation. As a
husband he was devoted; as a father he was
kind and observation-disclosures ceasing in his
care for the welfare and proper training of
those with whose education and training
Providence had charged him. As friend,
he was admired and beloved. The afflicted
will long remember bis sympathetic as well
as his untiring attention; and II will be long
before the poor will forget his untiring at
tentlon TO their wants, and to the relief of
their snfferings. Are there not few now
occupying prominent positions in society,
WHO have recollection Of advice freely Civ
en-, words Of encouragement kindly spoken, |
when in their youth they were struggling
with fortune, and perhaps poverty. That
he was iaultlesS, no one will contend but
be his faults what they may, let us cast
them into obliyion; and his virtues, let US all
initiate, for they were such virtues as make /
men respected and useful.
DIR. Gibson leaves a large family to mourn
his untimely demise. No human hand can
relieve them in their affiiction, but we can
them to him. who bath said, al
will he father to the fatherless, and a hus-
band to the widow" and without whose
notice, not even a sparrow ialleth to the
Gazette.