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Washington Dorsey Gibbs

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Portrait of Gibbs from the Mississippi Legislature 1878 Composite

Washington Dorsey Gibbs (August 6, 1839 – September 7, 1915) was an American lawyer and politician in Mississippi. He served as a state senator and state representative from Yazoo City. He was also known as Wash Gibbs.[1][2]

Early life and education

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He was born a few miles south of Yazoo City on August 6, 1839, the son of Quesney Dibrell Gibbs and Sarah Dorsey Gibbs.[3][4] Gibbs obtained a degree from the University of Virginia, the studied law in his father's law office before going on to graduate from law school in Lebanon, Tennessee.i.[4]

He practiced law for a short period until shortly after his marriage to Miss Louise Johnson on January 11, 1860. They relocated to the Woodbine plantation near Bentonia, Mississippi.[4]

They had eight children together but three died while young.[4][5]

American Civil War

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In September 1861 at the start of the American Civil War, he enlisted with the "Anding Hussars" attached to the Wirt Adams' Cavalry Regiment.[4] He was commended for his gallantry and service during many battles before being captured on a scouting mission and imprisoned at Camp Morton.[4] After the war he returned to Yazoo to discover that his mother, father and sister had died with many other close relatives very sick.[4]

Post war and politics

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Gibbs returned to his plantation and worked as a lawyer, rebuilding his life and caring for his large family.[4] After becoming well known and a frequent public speaker in 1875, he was the candidate for presidential elector for the Democrats.[4] He was prominent in overthrowing "carpet-bag" rule and restoring white supremacy in Yazoo County, being the originator of the 'white line' movement and part of the Red Shirts.[4]

His wife died in July 1879.[6]

He was elected as state senator from Yazoo County in 1879,[7] but declined to run again for the next term.[8] In 1886 he was elected the Floater-Representative for Yazoo and Holmes counties,[9] and in 1907 was again elected as Senator of Yazoo County.[4]

His grandson was named after him and joined the U.S. Marines.[10]

Death

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He died Tuesday September 7, 1915 in Yazoo City with just two of his children surviving him, Mrs Lulu Kirk and Mr Lee Gibbs.[4] He had been dealing with heart disease for a few months leaving him very weakened and he had been suffering greatly in his last few weeks.[4]

References

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  1. ^ "'Wash Gibbs' Attack on Senator Bilbo". Vicksburg Evening Post. 23 May 1911. p. 4. Retrieved 20 March 2022.Open access icon
  2. ^ "Hon. W. D. Gibbs candidate for the floater". The Vicksburg Herald. 23 April 1885. p. 2. Retrieved 20 March 2022.Open access icon
  3. ^ Society, Nicholas Gibbs Historical (February 19, 1977). "Nicholas Gibbs and His Descendants, 1733-1977". The Society – via Google Books.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Death of Maj Gibbs". The Yazoo Herald. 10 September 1915. p. 1. Retrieved 20 March 2022. Open access icon
  5. ^ History, Mississippi Department of Archives and (February 19, 1908). "The Official and Statistical Register of the State of Mississippi". Department of Archives and History – via Google Books.
  6. ^ "Death of Mrs. W.D.Gibbs". The Clarion-Ledger. 30 July 1879. p. 3. Retrieved 20 March 2022.Open access icon
  7. ^ "The Legislature of 1880". The Clarion-Ledger. 5 November 1879. p. 2.Open access icon
  8. ^ "W.D.Gibbs declines re-election". The Clarion-Ledger. 19 May 1881. p. 2. Retrieved 20 March 2022.Open access icon
  9. ^ "Mississippi Legislature 1886". Retrieved 20 March 2022.Open access icon
  10. ^ "Marine Recruiter". U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Service. February 19, 1941. p. 25 – via Google Books.