Evening star., 1938-05-26
HENRY R. GIBSON
DIES HERE AT 100
Former Member of House
Advised BE Yourself
for Iona Life.

Former Representative Henry Rich
ard Gibson died here yesterday at
the age of 100 after a distinguished
career as a soldier. lawyer. newspaper
editor and physician.
Mr.. Gibson. believed to have been
the Oldest former member Of Congress,
died in the old-fashioned, red-brick
residence at 1928 Allison street NV,
where his friends and relatives as
sembled in recent years to help him
celebrate his birthday on Christmas
eve.
The distinguished centenarian looked
the part. His carriage was erect and
his attire immaculate, and he kept
his white hair and beard well trimmed.
Until his final illness he remained
gay. alert and interested In the az
fairs Of the world.
Mr.. Gibson was descended from
family which has been prominent on
the Eastern Shore OF Maryland for the
last $50 years.
Born on Kent Island.
He was born December "a, 1887, on
Kent Island, Queen Anne County, Nd,
the son of Woolman Gibson, a dis
tinguished jurist. Mr.. Gibson was
descended from Col. Richard Wool
man, the first judge Of Talbot County
in 1861 Gibson Island was named
after member of his family.
Mr.. Gibson attended schools in
Queen Anne County and in Bladens-
burg, Nd, where he was graduated
from Decker's Academy in 1858. He
was graduated from Hobart College
at Geneva, N Y, in 1862, and re-
ceived an honorary degree from that
college in 1892.
On his graduation from college. Mr..
Gibson enlisted in the United States
Army and served in the Commissary
Department during the Civil War.
After his discharge, he attended a
law school at Albany, N. Y. and was
admitted to the bar in 1865.
A year later, Mr.. Gibson began the
practice of law in Knoxville, Tenn.
He began his political career in 1858
when Gov. William G. Brownlow ap-
pointed him commissioner OF claims.
He held several State Offices and served
in the Tennessee Legislature until
1879, when he founded the Knoxville
Republican. He received an appoint
ment as a postal inspector in 1881
and in 1882 he became the editor OF
the Knoxville Daily Chronicle.
Elected in 1894.
Mr.. Gibson was elected to Congress
from the second district of Tennessee
in 1894 and served until 1905. when
he declined to run again. He had
lived in Washington since he first
entered Congress.
Mr.. Gibson married his first wife,
the former Frances M. Reed Of Brook
lyn N. Y, in 1863. She died In 1918.
He was married to Mrs. Elizabeth
Beckerdit Gibson in 1920.
In addition to his widow. Mr.. Gibson
is survived by two daughters, Mrs.
Joseph Brownlee and Mrs. Walter A.
Wells. both of Washington. Funeral
services will be held at ? pm. tomor-
row at the s. H. Hines Co. funeral
parlors, Harvard and Fourteenth
streets NV. Mr. Gibson left re-
quest in his will that his body be
cremated and the ashes deposited In
cemetery in Tennessee.
First Cousin in Senate.
While serving as a Republican IN
the House. Mr.. Gibson had first
cousin in the Senate-Charles Gibson
from the Eastern Shore Of Maryland
For many years, Mr.. Gibson was
friend and staunch admirer Of Uncle
Joe" Cannon, one-time Speaker Of
the House
During his active career as a law
yer and politician. Mr.. Gibson found
time to study medicine. About a year
ago he was ill and a friend brought in
a doctor from New York to prescribe
for him. Mr.. Gibson said nothing un-
til the physician prescribed for him.
and then remarked:
Il am a graduate Of medicine and
have no intention of taking your
pills" To those who hoped for a
long life such as his. Mr.. Gibson
would say, BE youself."