| William A. Gibson Dead in 82d Year Descendant of Old Fitchburg Family was Civil War Vet and Sportsman. William Adderson Gibson, a member of one of Fitchburg's earliest families, died Sunday morning at his home in Goddard street after a long illness. He was 82 years old. Mr. Gibson was born in this city Nov. 20, 1837, the son of Whiting and Jane (Whittemore) Gibson, and spent almost his entire life here. He was a direct descendant of one of the oldest families of Fitchburg. His father and grandfather endured the hardships of the first settlers of Fitchburg. When the Civil war broke out, Mr. Gibson was a member of the Old Fitchburg Fusiliers and was one of the first to answer his country's call. Later three of his brothers answered the same call. He enlisted July 12, 1861, under Chapt. Charles H. Eager in Co. B, 15th regiment of Massachusetts volunteers. He was in the battles of Balls Bluff, Fair Oaks, Antietam, Gettysburg, Fredericksburg and others. He was discharged March 16, 1863 at Falmouth, Va., because of chronic rheumatism. In his younger days when health would permit he took much pleasure in fishing and fox hunting and was considered one of the leading sportsmen of his day. He was a granite cutter and cut many monuments here and also many of the steps of the most prominent buildings in the city. Mr. Gibson and Miss Sarah Ellinwood of Ashby were married June 27, 1861, and the following day he entered camp and a month later was called to the front. Mr. and Mrs. Gibson celebrated their golden wedding anniversary June 27, 1911. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Charles H. Watson, and four grandchildren, Miss Carolyn, Miss Blanche, Willard and Howard Watson. The funeral will be held from the home Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock. |