Founder: Joseph Sitton Gibson

Joseph Sitton Gibson was born May 29, 1826 in Lincoln County Missouri to Gyan (Gion) and Selama (Sitton) Gibson. He was next to the youngest of 10 children. Joseph was raised on a farm and lived in the same county until he started for California, across the plains on the 31st of March 1850.

After 4 months of travel by wagon train he landed in Ringgold, El Dorado County. He mined for gold there for 18 months, but left “broke.” He then came to Colusa County in the company of two cousins, Abraham K. Gibson and Martin B. Gibson in the spring of 1851 and located in the bend of the Sacramento River about halfway between Colusa and Grimes. He engaged in cutting hay and cord-wood. He again tried mining near Chinese Camp (Tuolumne County) but not having good luck, returned to the farm. Finding that his existing farm location was on a Spanish grant, the title to which was not settled, he re-located west of Williams along Freshwater Creek in 1854. (To the location which is now known as Ornbaun-Gibson Ranch).

His farm was comprised of 1,640 acres of first class land. In 1854 he planted his first crop of wheat. Joseph Gibson was one of the earliest pioneers and wheat ranchers on the plains of the Sacramento Valley. Mr. Gibson was early in the cattle business, and raised some of the finest milking cows in the nation, he also raised horses, tried sheep, hogs, etc. However, wheat remained his principle business. Mr. Gibson also had an orchard, and shade trees that were for years a landmark on the plains. In 1869 his original residence burned down and he rebuilt a small brick home along Freshwater Creek.

On November 19, 1874 Joseph married Sarah Francis Larch in Calaway County, Missouri. Sarah was 27 years his junior, and the great-great granddaughter of Daniel and Rebecca Boone. Sarah was born to Joseph and Narcissa (Davis) Larch on September 12, 1852 and was raised in Calaway County, Missouri. As a young girl, Sarah came to Colusa to visit her sister, Margaret (Larch) Estill. At a party in her honor, Sarah met Joseph. After her visit Sarah returned to her family in Missouri; Joseph followed her back to his home state and the two were married. They returned by train to California, where they built their grand 5,600 square foot home near Williams, which still stands today, and is of local historical interest.

In 1876 the town of Williams was founded by W.H. Williams. Joseph Gibson was one of the 17 pioneers who helped develop the community. In 1917 the metal arch which spans “E” Street in Williams was erected and dedicated to the memory of Mr. Gibson and the other pioneers.

Joseph and Sarah Gibson spent their lives on the ranch and raised 3 children, Gion, California, and Josie. On June 14, 1906 Joseph passed away. Sarah passed away on March 5, 1922.

After the Gibson's the ranch had numerous other owners. Many of whom were unlucky and lost the ranch through foreclosure because of farming losses. The ranch which now consists of 50 acres, after being parceled and sold in sections, was purchased by Kelly and Johnna Ornbaun in 1998 after a historically long escrow of almost 18 months.

The Ornbaun’s use the ranch as an educational premises to teach people about agriculture and farm commodities. The Ornbaun’s are currently in the process of renovating the original old home. Completion is tentatively scheduled for 2006. The Colusa Chapter of the Native Daughters of the Golden West awarded the property a beautiful plaque for recognition of it's historical significance in 2000.

For more info on the Gibson Family Line go to:
http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/g/i/b/Gion-E-Gibson/index.html

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