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[[File:John Morison Gibson.jpg|thumb|left|John Gibson in 1908]]
[[File:John Morison Gibson.jpg|thumb|left|John Gibson in 1908]]
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 university company of the 2nd Battalion Volunteer Militia [[The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada]] and was a Wimbledon marksman in 1874. He became a company director and developed a keen interest in music and art. On his return to Hamilton in 1864, he enlisted in the 13th Battalion as an ensign.In 1866, he was a lieutenant in the 13th Battalion, and fought at the [[Battle of Ridgeway]], defending against the [[Fenian raids]]. He rose through the ranks of the 13th Battalion and was Commanding Officer from 1886 to 1895 (see regimental history Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)). 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,<ref name=Bank>{{cite web| title = Fast Facts from Hamilton's Past| url=http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/Localhistory/Fast+Facts.htm| accessdate = 2007-01-29 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060905060213/http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/Localhistory/Fast+Facts.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2006-09-05}}</ref> and was knighted in 1912. During his mandate, the new Government House in [[Government House (Ontario)|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 DeCew Falls.<ref name=HAMBIO2>{{cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol II, 1876-1924)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1991}}</ref> [[John Dickenson (Canadian politician)|John Dickenson]] was another of the 5 Johns.
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 university company of the 2nd Battalion Volunteer Militia of the [[The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada]] and was a Wimbledon marksman in 1874. He became a company director and developed a keen interest in music and art. On his return to Hamilton in 1864, he enlisted in the 13th Battalion as an ensign. In 1866, he was a lieutenant in the 13th Battalion, and fought at the [[Battle of Ridgeway]], defending against the [[Fenian raids]]. He rose through the ranks of the 13th Battalion and was Commanding Officer from 1886 to 1895 (see regimental history [[The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)|Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)]]). 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,<ref name=Bank>{{cite web| title = Fast Facts from Hamilton's Past| url=http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/Localhistory/Fast+Facts.htm| accessdate = 2007-01-29 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060905060213/http://www.myhamilton.ca/myhamilton/LibraryServices/Localhistory/Fast+Facts.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2006-09-05}}</ref> and was knighted in 1912. During his mandate, the new Government House in [[Government House (Ontario)|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 DeCew Falls.<ref name=HAMBIO2>{{cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol II, 1876-1924)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|year=1991}}</ref> [[John Dickenson (Canadian politician)|John Dickenson]] 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."''' <ref name=HAMBIO2>{{cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol II, 1876-1924)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|page=143|year=1991}}</ref>
"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."''' <ref name=HAMBIO2>{{cite book|title=Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol II, 1876-1924)|first=Thomas Melville |last=Bailey|publisher=W.L. Griffin Ltd|page=143|year=1991}}</ref>

Revision as of 23:50, 7 October 2014

Sir John Morison Gibson
10th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
In office
September 21, 1908 – September 26, 1914
MonarchsEdward VII
George V
Governors GeneralThe Earl Grey
The Duke of Connaught and Strathearn
PremierJames Whitney
William Howard Hearst
Preceded byWilliam Mortimer Clark
Succeeded byJohn Strathearn Hendrie
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for Hamilton
In office
1879–1894
Preceded byJames Miller Williams
Succeeded byRiding abolished
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for Hamilton West
In office
1894–1898
Preceded byRiding created
Succeeded byAndrew Alex Colquhoun
Member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario for Wellington East
In office
1898–1904
Preceded byJohn Craig
Succeeded byJames J. Craig
Personal details
Born(1842-01-01)January 1, 1842
Toronto Township, Upper Canada
DiedJune 3, 1929(1929-06-03) (aged 87)
Hamilton, Ontario
Political partyLiberal
Alma materUniversity of Toronto
CabinetMinister Without Portfolio (1904-1905)
Attorney General (1899-1904)
Commissioner of Crown Lands (1896-1899)
Provincial Secretary and Registrar (1889-1896)

Sir John Morison Gibson, KCMG, KC (January 1, 1842 – June 3, 1929) was a Canadian politician and the tenth Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.

John Gibson in 1908

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 university company of the 2nd Battalion Volunteer Militia of the The Queen's Own Rifles of Canada and was a Wimbledon marksman in 1874. He became a company director and developed a keen interest in music and art. On his return to Hamilton in 1864, he enlisted in the 13th Battalion as an ensign. In 1866, he was a lieutenant in the 13th Battalion, and fought at the Battle of Ridgeway, defending against the Fenian raids. He rose through the ranks of the 13th Battalion and was Commanding Officer from 1886 to 1895 (see regimental history Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)). 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,[1] 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 DeCew Falls.[2] John Dickenson 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." [2]

After receiving a grant from Andrew Carnegie of New York the city of Hamilton built a brand new Library on the south side of Main Street West, across the street from the old Library. It was officially opened by the Lieutenant Governor Sir John Morison Gibson on May 5, 1913.[3] He was active in many charities, especially the Red Cross and child welfare. He died in Hamilton, Ontario in 1929.[2]

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.[4]

References

  1. ^ "Fast Facts from Hamilton's Past". Archived from the original on 2006-09-05. Retrieved 2007-01-29.
  2. ^ a b c Bailey, Thomas Melville (1991). Dictionary of Hamilton Biography (Vol II, 1876-1924). W.L. Griffin Ltd. Cite error: The named reference "HAMBIO2" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  3. ^ "Hamilton's Public Library History". Retrieved 2012-06-15.
  4. ^ "Experience Hamilton: Tourist Guide 2006/2007". Tourism Hamilton: 34–35. Winter 2006.
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