[2] Born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland[2] and educated in Scotland,[3] Gibson came to British North America in 1839 and first settled at Burrit's Rapids where he operated a flour mill.

[4] He was also a director of the Ottawa Agricultural Fire Insurance Company.

He was elected to the House of Commons of Canada in 1872 as an Independent Liberal defeating incumbent John Sylvester Ross in a two candidate contest.

Gibson was re-elected in 1874 representing Dundas electoral district.

[2] Gibson was married twice: to Eliza Kennedy in 1843 and to Jane Gillespie in 1854.