Gibson Brownson was a carpenter and one of the first citizens of Fairbury.
He built many houses in Fairbury and the Catholic and Presbyterian Churches. The Brownson family's story began with Isaac Brownson's birth in 1758 in New Milford, Connecticut. Isaac was the son of Thomas Brownson (1725-1802) and Betsy Baldwin (1728-1799).
In 1775, the first battles in the American Revolutionary War took place. In January 1776, Isaac Brownson enlisted for one year of military service. He was a Private in Captain Isaac Bostwick's Company in the regiment of Colonel Charles Webb for the state of Connecticut. In October 1776, Washington's army reached their supply base at White Plains, New York. British General William Howe attacked Washington's army and forced it to retreat from New York to New Jersey. Private Isaac Brownson participated in this battle.
General George Washington decided to execute a daring surprise attack on the British forces by moving his army by boats across the Delaware River at Trenton on Christmas Day in 1776. Washington's raid caught the British troops off guard and defeated them. Private Isaac Brownson rode in one of the boats that ferried the Revolutionary Army across the Delaware on Christmas night. This battle was one of the critical battles in the Revolutionary War.
After the Revolutionary War, 24-year-old Isaac Brownson married 18-year-old Joanna Beardsley in 1782. Isaac and Joanna Brownson had nine children, including Elisha Brownson, born in 1791 in New Milford, Connecticut.
In 1799, Isaac Brownson and his family moved to Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania. Elisha Brownson decided to enlist in the military when the War of 1812 broke out. Unfortunately, Elisha's poor health prevented him from serving in that war. In 1823, thirty-two-year-old Elisha Brownson married 36-year-old Mary Titus. After their wedding, they moved to Bradford County, Pennsylvania. Elisha cleared some heavy timberland and established a nice farm. Revolutionary War veteran Isaac Brownson retired and went to live with Elisha on his farm.
In 1832, Elisha and Mary Brownson had a son named Gibson Bannister Brownson. When Gibson was born, Elisha was 41 and Mary was 44. About 1851, Gibson Brownson started serving a three-year apprenticeship as a carpenter in New York. Gibson received $150 for his three years of work and had to pay for his clothing. This income would be equivalent to $5,057 in today's dollars.
After finishing his apprenticeship, Gibson went west on a prospecting trip to see more of America. In 1854, Gibson passed through Livingston County. Fairbury had yet to be formed, and Pontiac was a small hamlet. Gibson was always able to find work as a carpenter wherever he traveled.
The Elisha Brownson family moved to Livingston County in 1856. Gibson Brownson moved to Avoca to help build new houses in the thriving village. Just one year later, the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad laid its tracks from Peoria to Indiana, and Fairbury was created. The town of Avoca quickly ceased to exist, and several houses were moved into Fairbury. In 1857, Gibson Brownson helped build some of the first houses in Fairbury.
On April 12, 1861, the Confederates fired upon Fort Sumter, and the Civil War began. Fairbury area men primarily joined one of two military units. The first unit was the 3rd Illinois Cavalry Company K. The second was the 129th Illinois Infantry Company E. Gibson joined the cavalry unit. When he enlisted, Gibson was 29 years old and six feet one inch tall. Gibson had blue eyes and a light complexion. Gibson fought with Company K until he became sick and had to be sent to a hospital. After recovering, Gibson joined the Mississippi Marine Brigade. The Mississippi Marine Brigade was a Union Army amphibious unit that included the United States Ram Fleet and operated from November 1862 to August 1864. The brigade was established to act swiftly against Confederate forces operating near the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Gibson mustered out of the military in August of 1864.
After the war, Gibson briefly worked as a carpenter in St. Louis. He then returned to Fairbury and established a contracting business with his brother. Their company employed 15 men, and they built many houses and churches. This firm built the Catholic and Presbyterian churches in Fairbury. The Brownson family were members of the Presbyterian Church.
In 1868, Gibson married Susan M. Ormsby. When they married, Gibson was 35, and Susan was 29. They had two daughters. Gibson Brownson built a new home for his family after he married.
Both daughters of Gibson and Susan received excellent educations. Allie attended school in Dixon and taught school in Fairbury until she married John D. Watkins of Cleveland, Ohio. Nellie graduated from Wesleyan and taught school in Fairbury until she married George Nimmo.
The 1892 Blade noted that Fairbury was booming, and many new houses and businesses were being built. The Blade listed the Fairbury building contractors, which included Brownson & Waggoner, Shook & Keyes, Halleck & Skean, Delph Richer, W. J. McComes, and John Sheiler.
Gibson Brownson died in 1908 in Fairbury at the age of 75. He was buried in Graceland Cemetery. Gibson was a member of the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic), a Civil War veterans organization. Gibson helped form the Fairbury Building & Loan Association and served as President for many years. Gibson served on the school board, was a Township Supervisor, and was an Alderman on the Fairbury City Council.
Susan Brownson died in 1925 at the age of 87. She was buried with her husband at Graceland Cemetery. The Brownson family served in both the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Gibson Brownson was a community leader and built many houses and churches in Fairbury.
(Dale Maley's weekly history article on Fairbury News is sponsored by Dr. Charlene Aaron)
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