Gibson, Lorenzo, 1804-1866

Businessman, physician, and politician, of Little Rock, Ark.

Lorenzo Gibson was born 27 May 1804 to William R. and Fanney Gibson, reportedly in Clarksville, Tenn. He came to Arkansas and established a mercantile business with his brother, William R. Gibson, in May 1833. Although he studied law and was admitted to the bar in Tennessee, he abandoned his legal practice. He adopted the medical profession, and for a time he was a postmaster in Rockport, Ark. He finally settled permanently in Little Rock in 1849. In addition to his other activities he was involved in politics, serving in the Arkansas House of Representatives, and running unsuccessfully for governor as the Whig Party candidate (1844) and for Congress in 1865 and 1866. He was appointed Surveyor General of Arkansas by Pres. Zachary Taylor in 1849.

From the description of Lorenzo Gibson family papers, ca. 1820-ca. 1920. (Arkansas History Commission). WorldCat record id: 71129566