Catherine McFarlane Gibson

Catherine McFarlane Gibson was the last of 10 children born to William Gibson and Jeanette Nicol, both of Scotland.

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the family immigrated to America and joined the Moses Clawson Company with a desire to reach to Salt Lake Valley. The company left Iowa May 21, 1853.

Disease, injury, lack of food and medicine, prematurity, and weather were some of the greatest threats to pioneers. Catherine, 2-years-old, was infected with scarlet fever and died on July 5. She is buried at Loup Fork in Nebraska.

Recorded in William Gibson’s journal: “July 6 Our darling little daughter Catherine died today of Scarlet fever also a grandson of Mother Calders. They were buried beside each other, a board was placed over their grave which was standing some years after we crossed the ferry, continued our journey and again crossed the River at Laramie as we continued our journey through the Black hills.”