Pennsylvania Historical Markers in Perry County

John Bannister Gibson

JOHN BANNISTER GIBSON

Born Nov. 8, 1780, in a house near here. Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, 1827-51. This was also the birthplace of William Bigler, who was Governor of Pennsylvania, 1852-55; and U.S. Senator, 1856-61.

PA 850, 1.2 miles W of Dromgold. Erected July 25, 1947.

JOHN BANNISTER GIBSON

Chief Justice of Pennsylvania, 1827-1851. Born November 8, 1780, in the home of his parents, Colonel George Gibson and Ann West Gibson, 124 feet northwest of this marker. His fame was unequalled. Marked by the Pennsylvania Historical Commission and the Perry County Historical Society, 1929.

Plaque: PA 850 at Mill Rd., 1 mile W of Dromgold. Dedicated September 27, 1929.

John Bannister Gibson was born on November 8, 1780. He was named after the Virginian soldier and statesman John Banister. His childhood home was near the Gibson mill in Spring Township. While growing up, John’s mother did not want him and his siblings to grow up uneducated. To solve this problem, she built a schoolhouse near their home and became the teacher. Gibson’s education never stopped after this. He attended prep school at Dickinson College and later graduated from the college in 1800. In 1803 he was admitted to the Carlisle bar. His career as a judge and politician was about to take off. In 1810, he was elected to the General Assembly of Pennsylvania. Three years later he was appointed as a judge in the 11^th Judicial District. But Gibson had his goals set even higher. On June 27, 1816, Governor Snyder appointed him the State Supreme Court following the death of Judge Hugh H. Brackenridge.

This is when Gibson did most of his work as a judge. He was appointed Chief Justice in 1827. Throughout his career on the bench he sat with 26 different justices. He served as an associate justice for 13 years and as chief justice for 24 years. From 1824-1828 he served as the President of the board of trustees of Dickinson College. He was also elected as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania on December 27, 1823.

Even with his busy schedule, the great man who stood well over six feet tall was able to raise and father eight children. John Bannister Gibson died on May 3, 1853 and is buried in Carlisle.

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