Obituary of Henry L. Gibbs ~ 1919

Transcribed by Joan S Dunn

Source: Proceedings of the Twenty-first Annual Session of the North Carolina Bar Association – Aug 1919

At the last meeting of our Bar Association, there were Six Memorials in 
behalf of our fallen brethren. At our next meeting, one year hence, only 
the Infinite Mind of God can tell how many, and who shall be summoned to 
cross the river of the Great Beyond.  On April 3d. 1919, Hon. H. L. Gibbs, 
a Member of the Pamlico County Bar, died with pneumonia in St. Luke's 
Hospital, New Bern, North Carolina, where he had gone for treatment only a 
few days prior thereto. 
Mr. Gibbs was born in Hyde County, August 12th, 1861, where he lived to the
age of maturity. On June 24th, 1890 he married Miss Olivia Farrow who was 
also of Hyde County. By said marriage there are five children: Mrs. H. M. 
Jacobs, New Bern, North Carolina, Mr. Sylvester Gibbs, Beaufort, North 
Carolina, Margaret Gibbs, age twelve, Florence Gibbs, age eleven and Lenn 
Gibbs age nine. Mr. Gibbs also left one brother, Mr. Seth Gibbs, Beaufort, 
North Carolina, and one sister, Mrs. F. M. Simmons of Washington, D. C.  
His sudden death was indeed a great shock to his family and many friends 
for it was not generally understood that his illness was serious.  
He first began the practice of law in Craven County about thirty (30) years
ago. From Craven he came to Pamlico about twenty-five (25) years ago. 
After several years successful law practice, he became interested in the 
Public Schools of Pamlico County, and on July 4th, 1904, he was elected to 
fill the unexpired term of P. J. Daniels, deceased, a member of the 
Pamlico County Board of Education. He continued to serve as a faithful and 
diligent member of this Board, rendering great service to the schools of 
the County, until December 9th, 1909 at which time he was elected County 
Superintendent of the schools of Pamlico County, which position he held 
until January 6th, 1913, at which time he resigned as County Superintendent
to represent Pamlico County in the Legislature of 1913. At this session of 
the Legislature, the State created the North Carolina Fisheries Commission 
and Mr. Gibbs was appointed by Governor Craig as State Fish Commissioner 
which position he was still holding at the time of his death.  
Mr. Gibbs is a distinct loss to his County and State, Our hearts mourn in 
sympathy for his bereaved family whose loss will be so keenly felt, for the
dear little boys and girls which he left behind only about a year prior to 
the death of their father also lost their mother. 
"Death separates, but it also unites. It unites whom it separates."  





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