Jesse Richardson Gibson

SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF CONFEDERACY HONOR MEMORY OF JESSIE GIBSON Taken From The Ozark Graphic, 6 Jul 1983

Relatives and representatives of the United Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy paid tribute to Jesse Richardson Gibson last Sunday afternoon during ceremonies at Johnston Chapel Church and Cemetery where the body of the Civil War Veteran is buried. Gibson joined the 15th Missouri Confederate Cavalry at Reynolds County, Missouri, in 1863 when he was 19 years old. Family information indicates the young southern Trooper served in the various campaigns with his unit under the famous Confederate General Joe Shelby in the Missouri-Arkansas theatre of was.

Confederate war records are scarce regarding individual veterans, but U.S. Government records of the Civil War show the Missouri 15th Confederate Cavalry under the command of General Jeff Thompson surrendered to U.S. Army General G. M. Dodge of the Department of Missouri on May 11th, 1865. He returned to Missouri where he became a traveling merchant in the Ripley County, northern Arkansas region and operated a store in West Doniphan beside the present Highway 160.

Gibson raised a family and passed away at Warm Springs, Arkansas, July 28, 1927. He was buried at Johnston Chapel July 29, 1927. Surviving members of Gibson's family remember him as a kind gentleman whose hobby was keeping bees, of which he had many hives.

Reva BaKer of Doniphan, a granddaughter, and Mrs. Judy Downs of Memphis, Tenn., a great-great granddaughter, began an effort ot have the U.S. Government provide a gravemarker for the Confederate Cavalryman. The government consented and an official gravestone was only recently delivered to the family. The new marker was put in place during ceremonies Sunday. The marker states "Jesse R. Gibson, Private Co. N 15 Missouri Cav Confederate States Army, August 16, 1844 July 28, 1927."

During Sunday's ceremonies, Mrs. Downs represented the Daughrters of the Confederacy of which she is a member. Her husband James Downs Jr., is a great-great Grandson of a confederate soldier. He represented the Sons of the Confederacy. vOther Missouri and Arkansas relatives of Trooper Gibson were also present during the ceremony.

Mrs. Downs explained during memorial services that northern historians routinely write that the Civil War effort of the Confederacy was inconsistant and half-hearted, but Mrs. Downs said said the Confederate war effort on the part of the troops and the civilian population was in fact the most heroic and personally determined effort of a people involved in war in the history of America.

"At the time of the surrender of the Confederacy the north had not destroyed the will of the Southern People or the Southern Army to fight. What caused the surrender was the fact the means by which the Confederacy might continue the war had been destroyed. The Southern Army and the Southern Peiople's spirit remained strong to the end, and beyone," Mrs. Downs said.

It was later noted that General Shelby refused to surrender and took his surviving troops across the border into Mexico, where what remained of his division was eventually repulsed by the combined efforts of the Army of Mexico and the United States.

The audience saluted the Confederate Stars and Bars Flag saying, "I salute the Confederate Flag with affection, reverance, and undying rememberance." The audience also recided the pledge of Allegiance to the United States Flag and sang, "God Bless America". The audience then sand, "How Firm A Foundation", a favorite hymn of Confederate Generals Robert E. Lee and "Stonewall" Jackson.

Mr. Gibson was himself the oldest of 12 children. After the Civil War he married Rudy Russell and eight children were born to the family. Six survive.

The church and cemetery where is is buried was deeded to the Methodist Church by Lewis B. Johnston in the 1850's. The first church was log building which had been erected by Mr. Johnston and his neighbors in 1856. The original church burned in 1889 and the standing church was completed in 1890.

Regular services are no longer conducted at Johnston Chapel, but an annual July Homecoming is well attended. Last Sunday's Memorial to Jesse Gibbson was held by part of his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great, great-grandchildren and two of his great, great, great-grandchildren and friends.

Among his grandchildren were Mr. and Mrs. Dow Gibson of Puxico, MO., Mrs. Ruby Tracey of Warm Springs, Ark., Mrs. Christine Herring of Doniphan, and Mrs. Imogene Oliver of Pocahontas, Arkansas. The great, great-grandchildren were Mr. and Mrs. James Downs of Memphis, Tenn. The great great, great-grandchildren were April Louis and Jimmie Joe Downs of Memphis.

There are 13 grandchildren still living who were unable to attend Sunday's Memorial, besides many additional relatives according to family records.

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Photo on left: James Downs poses with Judy, Jimmy and April at Trooper Gibson's gravesite.
Photo on right: James T. Downs, Jr. wearing an authentic blue-grey uniform of the confederate infantryman, fires ceremonial rifle volleys over the grave of Confederate Cavalryman Jesse Gibson.





J. R. Gibson, Fancy Groceries, was the sign on this store in West Doniphan when this photograph
was made in 1916. Jesse and Louisa Gibson are shown on the front porch of the building.
Mrs. Ruby Tracy brought us this photo of her grandparents. The old store building was
near the end of the wooden bridge which crossed the river. If you look closely, you'll notice it's
still there although somewhat modified.
(From the Prospect News, Feb. 1979)















The photo used for the background is Jesse R. and Rudy Louisa (Russell) Gibson and their oldest son.

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