J. M. Gibbs, livery and sale stable, Mattoon; was born near the South Kickapoo, in Coles Co., Ill., Jan. 28, 1841; his grandfather, Elijah Gibbs, was one of the early pioneers of this section, having come from Virginia, in an early day, to Ohio, and thence to Illinois; his father, Homer Gibbs, was here almost as early as the formation of the county; his father was a carpenter by trade; J. M. passed his early life on the farm, near Sullivan, Moultrie Co.; his education was obtained in the common schools; at the age of 20 years, he began life for himself; in 1861, he began trading in horses and mules, and for three or four years, during the war, shipped to St. Louis stock purchased for the cavalry and artillery services; after the close of the war, he engaged in shipping stock to the southern markets of New Orleans and Natchez; this he continues to the present time; during the summer, he ships to Boston, Mass., though he has always bought and shipped in connection with I. N. Gibbs, his twin brother, yet they have never been in partnership. He was married Jan. 7, 1864, to Sallie Bridwell, a native of Louisville, Ky.; has five children – J. Emery, Carrie, Lewis, Martin W. and Isaac N.
