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Pharmacist, Physician, Postmaster, Mayor – The Influential Gibson Brothers

Updated: Oct 1

You may be familiar with the nationally-known Gibson Girl of the 1890s, but what do you know about the Gibson Brothers of that same era? In 1889 when two mild-mannered, educated brothers arrived in the Pacific Northwest and settled in the town of Gilman (now Issaquah, Washington), little did they know how influential they would become in their newfound community, and for how long.


During the years leading up to their arrival, William Elry “Doc” Gibson (b.1859-d.1945) was busy pursuing studies in medicine. He graduated in the class of 1888 from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Keokuk, Iowa. Younger brother John H. Gibson (b.1864-d.1945) was in Nebraska where for three years he engaged in the pharmaceutical business, with his sights set on entering the mercantile industry.


Gibson Brothers' Drug Store in Issaquah
Gibson Brothers' Drug Store (l to r: John H. Gibson, pharmacist and William E. Gibson, physician)

It wasn’t long after the two arrived in Gilman that they were making an impact. As partners, they opened Gibson Brothers’ drug store, conveniently located on the east side of Front Street near the Depot. It was Issaquah’s first drug store and their patronage grew steadily – with John in charge of the well-appointed pharmacy and Doc running his medical practice. Doc served as physician for the Seattle Coal and Iron Company, the Northern Pacific Railway, and also multiple fraternal organizations to which he belonged. It wasn’t uncommon for Doc to barter in lieu of payment for his services either. But even these remarkable beginnings only hinted at the broad impact John and Doc would eventually have on Issaquah and the surrounding community.


As their business grew, so did their stature rise. In February 1899, the town, its rail station, and post office were officially renamed Issaquah, and John began his marathon service as postmaster. With the post office run out of his drug store, one of John’s first duties was to write a money order for a man who had hiked over the mountain from Newcastle to pay his Knights of Pythias dues in proper style. Having the center of mail distribution situated in his store was a boon for business and the afternoon train always brought in a big crowd – looking for mail, buying papers, and to share news around the big iron stove. John gave a total of 34 years as postmaster between March 1899 and April 1937, only stepping away for four years during President Woodrow Wilson’s term when their political affiliations didn’t align and postal employees weren’t yet civil service. But mail and mercantile were not his only calls to service, following in the footsteps of his brother Doc (more about that below), he served as Mayor of Issaquah 1915-1917.


Awaiting the mail in Issaquah in the 1890s
Mr. and Mrs. John Gibson (far right edge), behind the counter of their post office/drug store waiting to sort mail.

Backing up to 1890 (the year after their arrival in Gilman), Doc Gibson was elected mayor. He served for two years and presided over town council meetings held at Gilman Town Hall (yes, the one and the same that still stands today!). He was elected again, and again, and again, as Mayor of Issaquah: 1900-1903, 1908-1913, 1921-1924. And in 1914, Doc was elected to serve in the state legislature (the same period when his brother John was serving as mayor). The two were actively engaged in serving their community and politics.


Dr. William Elry Gibson
William Elry "Doc" Gibson c.1900-1920

In January 1908, John purchased Doc’s interest in the drug store – a pivotal change that gave Doc the time he needed for his growing practice. As the only physician for miles around, his territory was huge – stretching from Pine Lake to Carnation, from North Bend to Hobart, Newcastle, and beyond. Rail had brought rapid growth and times were flourishing, but three industries in particular – railroad, lumber mills, and mining operations – were prone to accidents and kept Doc busy. Steadfast in his commitment, Doc traveled extensively and often to reach those in need. He had two chestnut sorrel horses which he used for traveling to the many communities he cared for and could be gone for weeks at a time. He carried with him: an instrument kit, ax, saw, rifle, and lantern. If you were about to have a baby; had fallen off the trestle; lost a finger; been shot? …you called Doc Gibson. He went night and day, any time.


[WARNING! If you're squeamish, you may wish to skip this next paragraph.]


Jake Jones, born in 1881, was a local farmhand and a reliable assistant to Doc Gibson. In his 1958 Oral History in the IHM collection, he shared – and in considerable detail – several incidents when Doc was called into service. And noting about Doc, “He never got excited… he never got nervous or anything.” Shingle weavers (cedar shake mill workers) and rail workers linking the coal cars couplings often cut or lost fingers and hands, and sometimes an arm or leg. Doc had a special chair that he used. He’d strap down his patient with the assistance from others to hold them down, and he’d trim the skin, stitch them up, dress the wound, or remove the appendage, all while watching his patient and telling his assistants when to take off and put on the ether cap. There were outbreaks of diphtheria and smallpox on local Indian Reservations, which sometimes spread to the white communities, and they didn’t always have inoculations, leaving many scarred. One summer Doc had to travel to Goldmyer Hot Springs, far up into the mountains along the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River. He rode his horse to North Bend where he changed horses, then went another 30 miles into the night. After taking care of Mrs. Goldmyer, Doc hopped on his horse and headed back home. As the story goes, at this point he hadn’t slept for days and it was long, hard riding. Being in the pre-dawn hours, he tied the horse up, pulled his overcoat tight over his head, and laid down to sleep. He didn’t wake up till the next day about 11a.m. all wringing wet with sweat. When Doc shared his story, he said, “I got a good sleep!”



Doc Gibson was about 6’ 2” tall and every 4th of July when the Grand Army held their 4th of July celebration and parade, they always got Doc – with his fine horse – to carry the flag and lead the parade. His large two-story home stood on the corner of Front and Main Street (today’s SE Andrews Street). John Gibson, lived around the corner on Hill Street (now Bush Street). Both gentlemen married. Doc and his wife Sarah Garner were married in Nebraska in 1888 prior to their arrival in Washington, and in 1890, John returned to Nebraska to marry Ida McDonald. They raised their families in Issaquah and both brothers died in 1945, only months apart. Doc is buried in Issaquah’s Hillside Cemetery and John is buried at Greenwood Memorial Park in Renton, Washington. Physician, pharmacist, postmaster, mayor, and so much more!


Ginko tree, downtown Issaquah
Gingko Tree, planted in 1900 by William Elry "Doc" Gibson

Other fun & interesting Gibson facts:

  • Doc Gibson was a founder and the first master of the Myrtle Masonic Lodge #108.

  • Gibson Hall was named in honor of John Gibson, who collapsed and died there unexpectedly.

  • Doc Gibson was an avid horticulturist and in 1900, planted a rare Gingko tree in his yard; the home was razed in 1970 but the historic tree spared due to the efforts of Issaquah High School students.

  • John Gibson’s house still stands; it is now owned by the City of Issaquah and houses the Parks & Recreation staff (the white house in front of the Issaquah Community Center).

  • Doc Gibson’s daughter Mary Olive Gibson, was in Issaquah High School’s first graduating class in 1911.

  • Gibson-Ek High School was named after the three students of Issaquah High School's first graduating class: Mary Olive Gibson, Mary Gibson (from an unrelated family of Gibson's), and Mabel Ek.

  • In 1996, a Pioneer's Day parade and tree planting ceremony in Issaquah's Gibson Park was held to honor the decades of contributions the Gibson families have made to this community.


Tree planting photo courtesy of Glenna Gibson


Resources:

  • A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of The City of Seattle and County of King Washington

  • Bagley's History of King County, 1929

  • Issaquah History Museums

  • Issaquah Independent

  • Oral History of Jake Jones, 1958

  • The Issaquah Press Archives

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