From: Centennial Yearbook of Alameda County, Oakland, Cal.: W. Halley, 1876.

Hon. Edward Gibbons

State Senator Dr. Edward Gibbons is one of the pioneers of Alameda County, having arrived here in 1851. He is one of a numerous family who have made their homes in Alameda County, and contributed to its prosperity. Of the same family are Dr. Wm. Peters Gibbons, of Alameda, Rodmond Gibbons, of Oakland, and Dr. Henry Gibbons, Jr., of San Francisco. They are natives of Wilmington, Delaware, where Sentaor Gibbons was born in 1816 and is, therefore, in his sixtieth year. He graduated from the University of New York in 1841 and 1842, and removed to Memphis, Tennessee, the latter year. He there studied law for four years, and was admitted to the bar in 1846. In 1848 he returned to Delaware and was elected Clerk of the Hosue of Representatives of that state. In 1850 he came to California on the steamer "Republic," then making her first trip, and was accompanied by his brother Rodmond. The two brothers went to the mines for a short time, after which they returned to San Francisco. Here the Senator, who was then prepared to fill any position in law, medicine or legislation, was appointed physician to the cholera hospital.

In the Fall of 1851 he set foot upon the soil of Oakland and settled there, practicing his profession of medicine. In 1855 he was elected to fill a vacancy in the City Council, and was re-elected in 1856. In 1857 he was elected Clerk and Treasurer, and was successively re-elected to the same position every eyar until 1863, when he was succeeded by EP Sanford. Having received the nomination for Mayor of the city, in 1864, he was elected to that honorable position; and again in 1865, went back to the Board as a Councilman, and was chosen for the position of President of that body.

The system of farming out the indigent sick that prevailed here for many years, was very repugnant to him, and he induced the Board of County Supervisors to establish a hospital, or infirmary, the plan for the building of which he drew out, and when established, he gratuitously gave the county the benefit of his services for one year, as a physician. In 1868 he went East and remained absent for several years, visiting and living in different localities, as fancy or taste suggested. In 1873 he returned, and was a few months after nominated by the Independent Convention for State Senator. He was elected by a handsome majority, and has proved a most useful member of the State Legislature. In December, 1877, his term expires. Senatore Gibbons is a thoroughly independent man in his political opinions; he has studied deeply the genus of American institutions and has marked well the tendency of the evils that now fasten on the body politic. He is an ardent advocate of reform in the civil service of the Government, favoring competitive examinations for office. The Senator was married in 1852, and has one daughter, an only child.
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