The Paris Gibson Family

As The History Museum & Research Center, one of the most important collections we have pertains to Paris Gibson, the founder of Great Falls. His name is everywhere in the early records, not only on land deeds and business records, but his connections with the people he worked with to build the town up. Paris had earned and lost a fortune in Minneapolis before starting again in Montana. This article, however, is focused on his family. Their support of his dream, their investments in Great Falls and the area, and their continued care of the area’s history shouldn’t be left in the background.

Valeria Sweat Gibson (Wife)

Valeria Gibson, [2014.090.0001]

Paris Gibson’s wife, Valeria, was with him from the beginning. They married in Brownfield, Maine in August 18,1858. She bore him 4 children, only 2 living to adulthood. Though her disability is unclear, she was invalid from 1870 till her passing in 1900. She was not prominent in the social scene but her quite support of Paris was well known. She suggested a library for Great Falls, and it bore her name for many years. She donated books during her lifetime to start it and upon her passing, she gave what books she had to the library. For more information about her life, see Valeria Gibson: More Than Just the Founder’s Wife

Theodore Gibson (Son)

Theodore Gibson, [1993.046.0037]

Theodore Gibson, the younger of Paris’ sons, came out to Montana with his father at the age of 20. He helped establish the sheep ranch the family ran out near Armington. He served as manager of the Old Park Hotel before entering the real estate business. He participated in civic affairs of the city and was a dedicated advocate for the public library. He advocated for local Native American populations by assisting with permant housing, clothing, and food donations. He was friends with Charlie Russell and often accompanied him on trips through range country. He had two children with his wife, Mary A. Johnson; a son, Donald and a daughter, Dorothy. He passed away at age 68 in July 1932.

Mary A. Johnson Gibson (Daughter-in-Law)

Mary Gibson’s life changed after her husband, Theodore passed. In 1933, she became curator of the C. M. Russell Studio and the family lived in the Russell home. She retired in 1944 and moved to Virginia to be with her daughter, Dorothy. Donald and his wife Jewel had been living in the home with her to help her and when she moved, Jewel was named the next curator. Mary passed in 1958 at the age of 93.

Philip Gibson (Son)

Paris Gibson (seated) his son Philip Gibson, granddaughter Louise Gibson Leland, and his great grandson Douglas Gibson Leland, 1909. [1989.137.0171]

Philip Gibson was the younger of Paris’ sons. He too came out to Montana to engage in the Sheep business and focused on that until he began helping his father in the development of Great Falls. He later opened an insurance company and operated across from the Park Hotel. In 1882, he married Mary Douglas and they had three children; son Paris Jr. and daughters Louise and Valeria. He served in the volunteer fire department in the early days and was well liked by the old timers in the city. He passed in 1915 after an illness of several years.

Dr. Alfred Ladd (Brother-in-Law)

Dr. Alfred Ladd was married to Valeria’s sister, Jessie Sweat. He and Jessie moved out to Montana in 1883 and had a sheep ranch near Sand Coulee until 1887. He practiced his profession and became the second physician to set up in Great Falls. He helped found the Great Falls General Hospital in 1891 and was a specialist in anesthetics. He also performed the first surgery in Great Falls, an appendectomy.

Dr. John Sweat (Brother-in-Law)

Theodore Gibson, Dr. and Mrs. Sweat and their children, and Jessie Sweat Ladd and her 2nd husband Judge Chealsea Rockwood. [2021.058.0004]

Dr. John Sweat is Valeria’s brother. He came to Great Falls in 1890, began his practice as the doctor for the old silver smelter and the Boston and Montana Smelter. He was involved in politics as a staunch democrat and was president of the Montana State Board of Medical Examiners. He also assisted with establishing the Great Falls General Hospital. He and his family were the first settlers in the Dutton area.

Donald and Jewel Gibson (Grandson and Wife)

Jewel Gibson, Wife of Donald Gibson, circa 1915 [2021.058.0005]

Paris Gibson with grandson Donald Gibson [1993.046.0031A]

Donald Gibson and his wife Jewel lived at the C. M. Russell home at 1219 4th Ave North. Jewel took over as curator when Donald’s mother moved away. Donald was a chemist for the Anaconda Company and Cascade County Clerk and Recorder for almost 25 years before retiring in 1957. They moved to Columbia Falls, MT in 1959. Donald passed in 1980.

Dorothy Gibson Wright (Granddaughter)

Donald, Theodore (seated) and Dorothy Gibson outside of the Gibson Home [1993.046.0032A]

Dorothy Gibson was an energetic, outgoing girl. She grew up in Great Falls and headed the Belgian War Relief effort in 1914. She met Clarence A. Wright in Washington D. C. and they married in 1915. Clarence was a mining engineer, and his work took them across the US and Italy. They had 2 daughters, Dorothy and Winifred.

Paris D. Gibson Jr. (Grandson)

Paris D. Gibson chose to live a quiet life and ranched near Eden. He married Blanche McKee. They both passed within a week of each other from Spanish Influenza in 1918. They were both 35 years old and had no children.

Louise Gibson Leland (Granddaughter)

Little to no information could be found about Louise, other than she passed away in California in 1943.

Valeria Gibson Burns (Granddaughter)

Valeria Gibson Burns, Granddaughter of Paris Gibson [CCHS 086.0006]

Valeria Gibson married George Burns in Great Falls in 1911. They moved to Chicago. She passed in 1944.

The Gibson line continues today but relatives have moved from the area. They haven’t forgotten Great Falls though. In 1924, family members had the 2 children Valeria lost in Minneapolis, Paris and Helen, reinterned with their parents here in Highland Cemetery. In 1952, the city gave the Gibsons a new place of honor and a 7-ton monument, but the children were left behind in the previous spot. The family reconnected with the town in 1984 during the city’s centennial celebration. Documents, items and important photos were given to the Cascade County Historical Society at that time. Finally in 2005, the 2 children were moved from the old section to join their parents again at the entrance to Highland Cemetery.

Norma Ashby (center) and Centennial King Don Sutherland (right) present Jan Postler, Director of the Cascade County Historical Society (left) with Paris Gibson's top hat and jacket, 1984. [2022.005A.0524]

-Megan Sanford, Archives and Operations Manager