HAYWOOD COUNTY, NC - OBITUARY - Francis Marion Gibson ****************************************************************** File transcribed and contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:BipoleBear@aol.com USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ****************************************************************** F.M. GIBSON DIES AT AGE 91 AT HOME HERE Enlisted in Gray Army at 15; Saw Service to End. 205 DESCENDANTS, MOST RESIDED HERE Born in Haywood County, North Carolina. Had lived in Bradley County 54 Years; Rites Wednesday at 10 a..m._________ The last bugle call was sounded today for the last Confederate veteran in Bradley county when the Grim Reaper claimed Francis Marion Gibson, 91, who passed away at his Popular street home today at 12:55 p.m. He celebrated his ninety-first birthday last November 1. The veteran of the War Between the States had been in failing health for some months and had been critically ill for several weeks, but his strong constitution withstood the ravages of sickness and his mind remained clear until a few days ago. Born in Haywood county, North Carolina, Nov. 1, 1847, he came to Bradley county 54 years ago and had lived an exemplary life, loved by his large family, respected by thousands of friends and honored by his comrades in the Gray army of the South. He was a member of John D. Traynor-- Camp, United Veterans, and was always active in camp affairs and annual gatherings of the U.C.V. and Daughters of the Confederacy. Mr. Gibson was among the youngest Confederate veterans in the nation, having entered at the age of 15 years. He always remained a Democrat and "voted 'em straight" on election day. Joined Army at 15. Mr. Gibson's widowed mother died in the early part of the War Between the States. He joined the Confederate army that fall at the age of 15 years, serving two years and eight months in the army. His first fighting was at Meridian, Miss. and he faced Gen. Sherman in Georgia in the drive from Dalton to the sea. He was a member of Company E of the Thirty- ninth North Carolina regiment and served under Gen. Joseph E. Johnson and Gen. John Bell Hood, until near the close of the war, surrendering near Durham, N. C. and being paroled a short time later. Mr. Gibson, in relating his war experiences to a Banner reporter some months ago, said, "Our regiment served under the command of Gen. Johnson until 'Ole Sherman' started through Georgia, then they put us under Gen. Hood. I was in the Battle Above the Clouds' on Lookout Mountain." I surrendered at Durham, N.C., and served through the whole raid and was paroled." Mr. Gibson was married to Eliza Jane Moore in January, 1866, later coming to Tennessee, and to his union eleven children were born, seven of whom are still living. His wife died in May, 1906, and he remarried the following year and to this union two children were born, both of whom are still living. All of the children are married. He spent most of his life farming and railroading. Leaves Large Family