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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]
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]