This double zinc headstone marks the final resting place of Samuel D. Gibson (Nov. 11, 1836 - Jul 18, 1897) and Mary E. Gibson (Oct. 25, 1839 - Sep. 2, 1904). The marker is in excellent condition.
The obituary for Samuel Gibson reads:
"Hon. S. D. Gibson Dead
A prominent pioneer of Polk county well known at Salem, Hon. S. D. Gibson, died at his home in West Salem Sunday July 18, 1897, at 8 a.m. He has been ailing ever since the death of his stepson Asa Forman four months before. Mr. Gibson, confined to bed until about a week ago, when he declined rapidly from nervous prostration and heart faelure [sic]. He was born in Pike County, Ill., in 1836, and hence was 61 years old. He came overland to Oregon with his father’s family of four sons and one daughter, in 1852. They settle [sic] in Polk county, on what is now the Putman farm, but Mr. Gibson bought another place near Salem, which his son, Samuel, held to his death. Deceased held a number of public offices and was at the time of his death a member of the state board of equalization. He leaves a wife and one son living.
The funeral will take place at the late home of the deceased at 10 a.m., Tuesday. Mr. Gibson was a kind-hearted and up-right man, whose word was as good as his bond. He was a quiet man, meddled with no one’s affairs, was public-spireted [sic] and generous. While a very prominent Republican, he never offended others of different views, on account of their views." -Capital Journal, Jul 19, 1897
At Rickreal, on Friday night, September 2, 1904, of a complication of diseases, Mrs. M. E. Gibson, wife of the late S. D. Gibson, aged 58 years. Deceased came to Oregon in 1867, and was married the same year. Her husband died in 1897, and but one son, Frank, Survives her. The funeral will be held on Sunday at 1 o’clock and the remains will be interred in the Rural cemetery. The neighborhood loses a good woman, one held in highest respect by all." -Capital Journal Sep 3, 1904
The obituary for Mary Ellen Gibson reads:
"At the farm of Mr. Frank Gibson, at Rickreal, Polk county, Mrs. M. E. Gibson, relict of the late Hon. S. D. Gibson, aged 58 years. Deceased was Miss M. E. Hirons, and was married in Pike county, Illinois, in 1867, and came to Oregon in the same year. She leaves only one son, Frank Gibson, her husband having died in 1897. The funeral will take place at Rural Cemetery, and the services will be conducted by Rev. David Errett. The cortege will leave the house at 10 o’clock today." -Oregon Statesman Sept 4, 1904