On
Friday afternoon, the 15th of July, a number of Mr. Reid Gibson's
friends met at his home in Charlotteville, to celebrate his 101st
birthday and to wish him many happy returns. They found the old
gentleman in excellent health and in the full possession of all his
faculties.
He was born in 1809 in
Lincoln County near Port Dalhousie. He remembers distinctly the
closing scenes of the war between the Colonies and the United
States. This was impressed on his mind on account of four red coats
being stationed at his father's house, the heroic act of Laura
Secord, and many other events of the war.
In the Canadian Rebellion of
1857-8 he was enrolled in the Canadian Militia and was attached to
the staff of one of the British officers and served for two years.
After attaining manhood he
settled near Cayuga, and about 23 years ago moved to Charlotteville,
his present home. Mr. Gibson is a good representative of the men of
his day, who lived strong, clean, useful lives, with consistent
loyalty to the institutions of their country.
The afternoon was spent
talking over old times and relating personal experience of the early
days of this country. A bountiful repast was served by the ladies
present, and in the early evening the guests separated with many
expressions of good wishes for Mr. Gibson.
Among the guests were Mr. A.
McCall, M.P., Mr. John Sutton, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Austin, Mrs. and
Miss Derrickson of Simcoe.
