John S. Gibson, Jr.

Infobox Mayor


name=John S. Gibson, Jr.
order=
office= Mayor of Geneseo, Kansas
birth_date = 1901
birth_place =
death_date = 1987
death_place =
term_start = 1924
term_end = 1926
predecessor =
successor =
party =
website =

John Samuel Gibson, Jr. (1901-1987) was one of the youngest mayors in Kansas when elected and served as a L.A. City Councilman for more than 30 years.

Biography

Born in the Midwest, Gibson went to business college and began his political career in 1924, in Geneseo, Kansas. At that time, he was, at the age of 23, the youngest mayor in the U.S.Fact|date=May 2008

Later, he moved with his wife Mina to Long Beach, California, where he worked in the Citizens National Bank, and lived with his father-in-law, George Workman. Then he moved to San Pedro, California, where he bought a house, raised a family, and became a contractor, building some of San Pedro's most beautiful homes. During this time, he created the first Boy's Club west of the Mississippi (now the Boys and Girls Club). In 1951 he began to serve as the L.A. City Councilman of the 15th district, and continued in that position for 30 years. He was President of the L.A. City Council for 16 years. He retired for health reasons and endorsed the campaign of his successor, Joan Milke Flores.

Legacy

In his honor, several landmarks in the 15th district were named after him, including a boulevard near the Port of Los Angeles, a small park in front of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum at the corner of S. Harbor and 6th street, and the municipal building ("city hall") of San Pedro.

ee also

* List of the youngest mayors in the United States
* Youth politics

External links

* [http://uss-la-ca135.org/2memorials.htm Website] with pictures of the Naval Monument located in the John S. Gibson Jr Park