Gibson Warmington, Sr., the son of James Warmington(ca1800-1894), and Alice(1804-1872), was born in 1842 in County Armagh, Ireland. Gibson had six known siblings: three sisters and three brothers.
The Irish Diaspora: One sister, Jane (18??-1937), married Alexander Cornett and stayed in Armagh, Ireland, another may have settled in Scotland, one in Australia, and his younger brother, William stayed in Armagh, Ireland where his father James lived. His older brother, James (1837-1896), and his mother, Alice, settled in Chicago, Cook county, Illinois, USA.
On 16 Dec, 1865 Gibson married Agnes Carr (1847-1897), daughter of John Carr and Anna, in Glasgow, Lanark, Scotland where he was working as a marble cutter on Bothwell St at his brother’s partnership, Warmington & Black.
On August 2, 1867, at the age of twenty-five, Gibson and his wife, Agnes sailed from Glasgow, Scotland, to the United States. They landed in Philadelphia on August 12 and stayed until September 12.
Gibson and Agnes and their infant daughter, Agnes, made their way to Chicago where Gibson’s older brother, James, lived. Gibson planned to work with his brother James as a stone cutter for the Chicago building trade. The 1870 US Federal Census showed that Gibson's family lived at 84 School. Gibson worked for his brother, James and Peter Denin in a marble works at 130 West Madison, downtown Chicago.
The Great Fire: On October 8, 9, 10, 11 of 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed the marble business as well as Gibson’s home on Monroe Street. His newborn daughter, Alice, just born on September 23, 1871, died during the fire. The fire killed approximately 300 people, destroyed roughly 3.3 square miles of the city, and left more than 100,000 residents homeless. After the fire, the Gibson and his family established a new residence and business location in downtown Chicago. His wife, Agnes, opened a grocery store in their home.
His brother, James, re-established the marble works at the same location:109 West Monroe. On 25 Nov 1872, Gibson's mother Alice Warmington who had immigrated with them died at home at 198 West Polk St in Chicago.
Gibson’s Legacy: In 1882 Gibson moved his family to Faribault, Rice county, Minnesota and lived at 2nd Avenue and Main Street, which is now 12th Street and Central Avenue. In 1887 Gibson was the building contractor of Shumway Hall for Shattuck Military School. Shumway Hall is on the National Register of Historical Places within the National Historic District of Shattuck Schools.
Gibson and Agnes had seven children: Agnes (1867-1897), James(1869-1958), Alice Warmington(1871-1871), Margaret(1875-1875); Gibson Warmington, Jr.(1877-1959); John(1878-1879); William(1882-1962).
On January 17, 1894, Gibson Sr., died at the age of 52 from blood poisoning after his barber shaved a mole from his neck. Three years later, his wife Agnes died from a stroke at the age of 50 on May 30, 1897. She had been troubled by a weak heart and rheumatism. Both are buried at the Maple Lawn Cemetery in Faribault. Two sons, James and Gibson, became lifelong residents of Faribault. His youngest son William became a professional dancer who entertained Faribault residents at the Old Opera House before he and his English-born wife moved to Hayward, CA where he continued his career in the entertainment industry.
The Warmingtons were members of the Episcopal Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour in Faribault, Minnesota.
| Additional Information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 24th Dec 1842 | |
| Date of Death | 27th Jan 1894 | VIEW SOURCE |
| Occupation | Building Contractor and Stone Mason: In 1887 Gibson was the building contractor of Shumway Hall in Faribault, MN. Shumway Hall is on the National Register of Historical Places within the National Historic District of Shattuck Schools. | VIEW SOURCE |
