Leroy M. Gibbs Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1173-1174 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				LEROY M. GIBBS. 

	Leroy M. Gibbs, secretary of the Commercial Club of Sioux Falls, 
was born in Troy, Michigan, November 8, 1879. He attended the common 
schools at Groveland and later became a high-school student at 
Clarkston, where he was graduated. He afterward attended Albion College 
for a year and next entered the Ferris Institute at Big Rapids, 
Michigan. When his textbooks were put aside he made his initial step in 
the business world, accepting a position in 1898 with the Grand Trunk 
Railroad, in the transportation department, which position he filled 
for two and a half years. In 1901 he entered the United States postal 
service, remaining until 1903, when he became connected with Frederic 
B. Stevens, manufacturer of foundry facings and polishing and plating 
supplies. While with that house he acted as salesman upon the road and 
was also in their advertising department. Later he went with the 
Detroit. Chamber of Commerce, during which time he was industrial 
commissioner and at different times handled the wholesale bureau, the 
retail bureau and the export bureau. He afterward became assistant 
secretary, remaining with the Detroit Chamber from March, 1911, until 
April, 1914, at which time he came to Sioux Falls to accept the 
position of secretary of the Commercial Club, in which position he has 
since continued. His previous experience well qualified him for the 
important work which devolves upon him in this connection 

	It was in Detroit that Mr. Gibbs was united in marriage to Miss 
Idah M. Etcher, a daughter of A. J. Etcher, of East Jordan, Michigan, 
and they have three children, Harriet and Leroy M., both born in 
Detroit; and Estelle Virginia, born in Sioux Falls. 

	Mr. Gibbs is a prominent Mason, having taken the thirty-second 
degree of the Scottish Rite and being a member of the Mystic Shrine. He 
is genial, approachable and popular and in addition he is systematic, 
capable and resourceful, these qualities making him an ideal officer 
for the position which he fills.