The Annual Parliamentary Register-1878P. 126, gives the following brief epitome of one of the most distinguished men who has ever been identified with the history of Oshawa, “Hon. Thomas Nicholson Gibbs, South Ontario, son of Thomas Gibbs, who came to Canada, from Kings-bridge, Devonshire, Eng., in 1819, settled at Terre-bonne, P. Q., and in 1832, removed to Oshawa, Ont., a cousin of F. W. Gibbs, Esq., C. B., formerly tutor to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. He was born at Terrebonne, March 11th, 1821, educated in England, married Aug, 1843, to Almira, youngest daughter of the late Joseph Ash, Esq., Cobourg, Ont., head of the firm, Gibbs and Brothers, produce dealers and proprietors of the Oshawa Mills. He is a director of the Confederation Life Association ; President of the Dominion Telegraph Co., Pres. M. of the Standard Bank; Chairman in Canada of the English and Scottish Investment Co. of Canada. He was the first Reeve of the village of Oshawa in 1850 and the first warden elected for the Co. of Ontario in 1854 ; Sworn of the Privy Council, 14 June, 1873, and was Secy. of State for the Provinces from that date until July 1st, when transferred to the Inland Revenue Dept. where he remained until the resignation of the Gov. Nov. 5th, 1873. He unsuccessfully contested North Ontario at the general election of 1854, sat for South Ontario in Can. Assembly from Jan., 1866, until the Union, when returned to Commons, where he continued to represent South Ontario until general election, 1874, when defeated. Upon the death of the then sitting member, Hon. M. Cameron, June 1st, 1876, Mr. T. N. Gibbs was again returned to Parliament. He was defeated at general election of 1878 by F. W. Glen, was called to Senate April 2nd., 1880 ; died at Oshawa, 1882, “Ellesmere Hall: Oshawa, Ont. “W. E. Club.”
WILLIAM H. GIBBS (North Ontario).
The historic sketch of W. H. Gibbs, Brother of the Hon. T. N. Gibbs by the same author, is, of course, somewhat identical with that of his elder and more distinguished brother. He was born at Terrebonne, Que., 1823, married, 1845, Frances Colton, of West Whitby. He has been Reeve of Oshawa, Deputy Reeve of Whitby, Warden of Ontario, returned to Parliament for North Ontario, at general election 1872, defeated 1874, by Adam Gordon, who died May 28th, 1876, when W. H. Gibbs was again returned for his old constituency.