Ben Gibson (politician)
Ben Gibson | |
|---|---|
| 17th Attorney General of Iowa | |
| In office 1921–1927 | |
| Governor | Nathan E. Kendall John Hammill |
| Preceded by | Horace M. Havner |
| Succeeded by | John Fletcher |
| Member of the Iowa Senate | |
| In office January 8, 1917 – 1917 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 13, 1882 |
| Died | July 8, 1949 (aged 66) |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Anna Rolston (m. 1905) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Nebraska |
| Military service | |
| Years of service | 1917-1919 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | 168th Infantry Regiment 72nd Field Artillery Brigade |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Benjamin J. Gibson (November 13, 1882 – July 8, 1949) was the Attorney General of Iowa from 1921 to 1927.
Early life
Gibson was born in Adams County, Iowa one of six children to William Gibson and Virginia (Campbell) Gibson.[1] His maternal great-grandfather, James Campbell, was a veteran of the War of 1812.[1] His maternal grandfather was a veteran of the American Civil War.[1]
Gibson went to the public schools in Adams County. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1906 and was admitted to the Iowa bar.[1] Gibson practiced law in Corning, Iowa from 1906 until 1920.[1]
Politics and WWI
Iowa State Senate
He served in the Iowa State Senate in 1917 and was a Republican.[1]
World War I
Gibson enlisted in the United States Army and was commissioned captain during World War I.[1] He trained at Camp Meade and served until March 6, 1919.[1]
Attorney General
From 1921 to 1927, Gibson served as Iowa Attorney General.[1] In August 1921, he created a Bureau of Investigation to make it easier to connect police across the state and to get access to the federal records of the Department of Justice.[1][2] He moved to Des Moines, Iowa, and continued to practice law.[1]
Personal life
He married Anna Rolston on September 5, 1905.[1] Her father was a veteran of the Civil War, fighting for the Union, specifically fighting with the Army of the Potomac.[1] They had 3 sons, Wayne, Wendell and Benjamin Jr.[1] They attended the Central Presbyterian Church.[1]
Gibson died in Rochester, Minnesota, after having stomach surgery.[3][4]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Benjamin J. Gibson" (PDF). The People of Iowa. p. 1-8. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ "Organize Criminal Bureau". The Sioux City Journal. August 16, 1921. p. 5. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
- ^ Agency, Iowa Legislative Services. "State Senator". www.legis.iowa.gov.
- ^ "Illness Fatal to Ben Gibson, 66". The Adams County Free Press. July 14, 1949. p. 1.