Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1902-11-26
Death of James Il. A. Gibbs.

"
Mr.. James E. A. Gibbs died at hi
home at Raphine Monday night afte
protracted illness with paralysis
Several weeks ago he went to a New
York hospital to undergo an opera
ton but the doctors there adviteC
against it. He returned home and
fingered until his death. The funeral
took place this afternoon at o'clock
from Raphine Chapel. The services
were conducted by Rev. DR.. j. A.
Quarles of Washington and Lee Uni
versity, and Rev. S. w. Haddon,
pastor of Old Providence church.
Interment was made in Mt. Carmel
cemetery.
Mr.. James Edward Allen Gibbs was
born August 1, 1929, near Raphine,
Rockbridge county, Virginia. His
parents were Richard Gibbs,a native
of Connecticut, and Isabella Poague
of Rockbridge county. He had one
sister, Hannah Gibbs, who married
William Allen, and died some years
ago. Mr. Gibbs was OF HuguenOt
extraction, his first American ancestor
being a French physician who came
to America in 1715. He was great
grand nephew of Ethan Allen of
RovoIutiOnarv faIua
His father came to Virginia in 1916 |
and brought the first wool-carding
ever used in this State. He |
met with financial loss, and his
sons carly life was one of struggle
and his education was limited. When
quite young he was employed at a
wool cardirg machine. His first
was a labor saving machine
Tor carding wool, and its use reduced
The cost of operation at least seventy
i've per cent. After struggling along
Is lumber and grain dealer, carpenter,
,abinet maker, and machinist he
lext turned his attention to the
of the newly invented
ewing machine. In June, 1867, he ]
the revolving looper, which
Produced single Topped stitch, and {
which he reasoned would possess s
lore elasticity and would prove more
urable than the lock stitch. This
as been the feature of the Wilcox & t
iibbs sewing machine since its in @
ention. Since his first invention he 7
rs taken out twelve patents on his '
AT the outbreak of the Civil War C
e entered the Confederate service v
nd was commissioned a lieutenant ,
the ordnance department, but i'll
ealth prevented active service.
In his younger days Mr.. Gibbs
,moved to Pocahontas county, now .
West Virginia, and engaged in the
Imber business. He afterwards II
ent to Nicholas county and later W
turned to Pocahontas. After few II
aars' residence there he returned to j.
ockbridge, where his closing years .
ere spent. He travele | extensively, l.
9TH in Europe and the United States, ="
I'd several winters were spent in
exas and Mexico for the benefit of c
s health. OF
Being great student from early ia
e, he was well versed in historical st
ID scientific studies and was at the al
lie of his death remarkably we'll in III
rmed on all subjects His library -
is one of the Lest in the county. 10
When the Valley Railroad was built al
rough his land, a station was al
abolished which he calle i'Raphine" la
honor of his sewing machine, al
at being the Greek form of the verb SC
D sew" ~
Mr. Gibbs and Acknowledgement cl'
illiam A. Anderson, in 1879, were ii
2 candidates for the House of Dele pr
ties from Rockbridge, on the Demo tr'
tic ticket, then known as the 81
nders. They were opposed by III
|. John b. Lady and Mr.. James A. OF
azier representing the Readjuster Eel
rty, who were elected. Ju
n 1852 Mr.. Gibbs married Miss Vi
Uterine Given, daughter of Mr.. Ia
/ Mrs. Samuel Given of Webster tic
lnty, now West Virginia. She an
d some years ago, and left the fol- cas-
ing four daughters: Mrs. Moore, Su
low of j. G. Moore; Mrs. Rawlings, bel
e of Capt. Benjamin G.. Rawlings; lie
). Wade, wife of Mr.. George +. SIN
de, all of Rockbridge county. an
eral years ago he married Miss ma
ig of Augusta county. who sur I'm
rs. TT,
Football.