A Portrait and Biographical Record of Hendricks County (Chicago: A.W. Bowen & Co., 1895)--pages 1036-1037
Henry H. Gibbs, one of the old, practical and substantial farmers of Washington Township, Hendricks County, is from an old American family of North Carolina. His grandfather, Thomas Gibbs, settled in Washington Township, Hendricks County, about 1831, bringing his family. His wife was Tabitha Jordan, and they were the parents of three children: George, Nancy and Jane. Thomas Gibbs was a well known pioneer and died aged sixty-eight years in 1855 or 1856. George Gibbs, son of above and father of our subject, was born in North Carolina, in 1824, and was seven years of age when brought to Hendricks County, Ind. He was a substantial farmer, owing 270 acres of land within one-half mile of the farm owned by Henry H., now owned by his heirs. He was a member of the Methodist Church and held prominent offices, and in politics he was a Democrat until 1856, when he became one of the original Republicans of Hendricks County. He was a hard-working and practical farmer, and held the confidence and respect of the people. He died at sixty-five years of age, in 1889.
Henry H. Gibbs was born in Washington Township on his father's homestead, February 12, 1845. He received the common district education of his day and was reared a farmer. He enlisted at the age of seventeen years, at Cartersburg, for six months, in August, 1863, in Company A, One Hundred and Seventeenth Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served nearly seven months, and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis, Ind., in February, 1864. His service was in Kentucky and Tennessee. He was detailed with others, at one time, to drive 3,000 head of cattle from Lexington, Ky., to Knoxville, Tenn., a distance of 200 miles, and was seven weeks on the road. He suffered a great deal from exposure, and while on duty guarding rebel prisoners at Indianapolis, contracted asthma and has since suffered from this dread disease, and at times for weeks can sleep but little, being obliged to sit up all night. After his return he settled down to farming and married, January 16, 1868, Ellen, daughter of Silas and Lucinda (Clark) VanTruce, and to their union have been born fourteen children, twelve of whom are now living: Charles, Ella (died August 9, 1894), Effie, George, Clarence, Melvin, Addie, Minnie, Grace, Irena, Floyd and Annie. After marriage, Mr. Gibbs first settled on the home farm and then bought eighty acres of his present farm, and five years later bought eighty more, and two years since bought fifteen acres more, and inherited seventeen and one-half acres of his father's estate, so that, by thrift and industry, he now owns 193 acres of good farm land. He has bought a tasteful residence and has a pleasant home. In politics he is a Republican. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church of Plainfield, and he has been class-leader and steward, and has contributed liberally of his means to assist the organization at all times; he is also a member of the G.A.R., Virgil Lyon post, Plainfield. Mr. Gibbs is a prosperous farmer and substantial citizen and stands high in his community. He is a self-made man and has worked hard, assisted by his faithful wife, and besides caring for his family has accumulated a handsome property.