Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",  published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.

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     BELA O. GIBSON, one of the enterprising business men of Davenport, is conducting a bakery and also operating a hotel.  He was born in Stewartsville, Missouri, on February 16, 1860, the son of O. H. P. and Mary J. (Deatley) Gibson, and are mentioned elsewhere in this work.  Our subject was educated in the country schools of Missouri and at the age of twenty, started in life for himself.  He spent one year in the sawmilling business in California, then came to Washington in 1881.  He located in Cheney, where seven years were spent, after which he went to the Sound, remaining there for two years.  It was 1891, when he came to Davenport and four years thereafter, he was engaged variously, doing considerable prospecting, in the course of which he was one of the discoverers of the famous Deer Trail mines in Stevens county.  In 1896, Mr. Gibson started in business for himself, opening a grocery store.  For five years, he continued this successfully, then added a bakery and later, a hotel.  He is meeting with the deserved success in his enterprises and is one of the substantial men of the city.
     In February, 1895, Mr. Gibson was married and one child, Bessie, was born to this union.  In 1900 occurred the second marriage of Mr. Gibson, Amanda J. Jockers, a native of Sedalia, Missouri, becoming his bride at that time.
     In political matters, Mr. Gibson is liberal and has always taken an active interest in county affairs.  He is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and stands well in the community.  Mrs. Gibson is a member of the Methodist church.
 

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