John Morison Gibson

Sir John Morison Gibson, KCMG, KC (January 1, 1842 – June 3, 1929) was a Canadian politician and lieutenant-governor of Ontario.John Morison Gibson, the son of Scottish immigrants, was born in 1842, in Toronto. He grew up on a farm in Caledonia, Ontario, went to Hamilton Central School, in Hamilton, and went on to be educated at the University of Toronto, as a lawyer. In 1860 he joined the provincial militia and was a Wimbledon marksman in 1874. He became a company director and developed a keen interest in music and art. In 1866, he was a lieutenant in the 13th Battalion, and fought at the Battle of Ridgeway, defending against the Fenian Invasion. He was a Member of the Legislature from 1879 to 1905 and held the posts of Provincial Secretary, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Attorney General of Ontario. Gibson was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in 1908,cite web| title = Fast Facts from Hamilton's Past| url=http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/Localhistory/Fast+Facts.htm| accessdate = 2007-01-29] and was knighted in 1912. During his mandate, the new Government House in Chorley Park (now demolished) was completed. Gibson served as Lieutenant Governor until 1914. He was one of Hamilton's "5 Johns", who, in 1896, formed the Dominion Power and Transmission Company, that brought hydroelectric power, for the first time, to Hamilton, from their plant, at DeCrew Falls.cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol II, 1876-1924)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1991] John Dickenson (Ontario MPP) was another of the 5 johns

"One big reason" for almost 75% increase in the population of Hamilton between 1901 and 1912, boasted Sir John Morison Gibson of "Dominion Power and Transmission Company", was "Cheap Electric Power Furnished By Us." This simplistic explanation for the development of Hamilton in the early twentieth century leaves much unexamined, but one conclusion cannot be disputed. In the perception of the Hamilton public, a view certainly fostered by Gibson and his fellow hydroelectric promoters, Hamilton was no longer regarded the Birmingham or the Pittsburgh of Canada Hamilton was now, as the title of a 1906 promotional booklet on the city proudly proclaimed, "The Electric City." cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol II, 1876-1924)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|pg=143|year=1991]

After receiving a grant from Andrew Carnegie of New York the city of Hamilton builds a brand new Library on the south side of Main Street West, across the street from the old Library. It's officially opened by the Lieutenant Governor, Sir John Morison Gibson on May 5, 1913.cite web| title = Hamilton's Central Library History|url=http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/AboutTheLibrary/hplhistory.htm| accessdate = 2007-01-29] He was active in many charities, especially the Red Cross and child welfare. He died in Hamilton, Ontario in 1929.cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol II, 1876-1924)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1991]

Tribute

The Gibson neighbourhood in Hamilton is named after him. it is bounded by Barton Street East (north), Main Street East (south), Wentworth Street (west) and Sherman Avenue (east). Landmarks in this neighbourhood include Cathedral High School, "Budget Motor Inn", "Barton Library", "Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board", "Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board", "Powell Park" and "Woodland Park". "Gibson Avenue" found in this neighbourhood is also named after him. cite journal| title = Experience Hamilton: Tourist Guide 2006/2007| journal = Tourism Hamilton| pages = 34–35| date = Winter 2006]

References

* MapArt Golden Horseshoe Atlas - Page 647 - Grids F14, G14

External links

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* [http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_all_detail.do?locale=en&ID=1192 Member's parliamentary history for the Legislative Assembly of Ontario]