Founded in 1841, Gibbs Brothers and Company continues today as the oldest business, under the same ownership, at the same location in Texas. Thomas Gibbs and Gardner Coffin arrived in Huntsville, Texas, with a wagonload of goods and opened a mercantile on September 4, at the corner of what is now 11th Street and Sam Houston Avenue. Unfortunately, Coffin’s health declined, and he died in 1843. Thomas settled with the Coffin Family the next year. In 1847, Sandford Gibbs, Thomas’s brother, joined the business changing the name to T. & S. Gibbs.

Their business thrived with the growth in the area and the establishment of the Texas State Penitentiary in 1848. They were proud to have Sam Houston as one of their valued customers and close friend. Ledgers reflect the accounts of Sam Houston, Governor George Wood, Henderson Yoakum, and other citizens of Huntsville and Walker County. Financial records document the success of the Gibbs Store and the acquisition of property by the Gibbs brothers. After the Civil War, Thomas Gibbs suffered health problems, probably due to tuberculosis. In 1872, Thomas passed away leaving all his interest to his wife and children. Sandford purchased their interest in the store and changed the name to S. Gibbs Company.

In 1866, Sandford married Sarah “Sallie” E. Smith. Their marriage produced six children, three boys and three girls. During the next twenty years, the business expanded with the purchase of additional properties. Sallie, while spending much of her time raising the children, began to take a role in managing the business and property. In 1886, Sandford died leaving everything to Sallie.

Early on, Sallie made the decision to maintain the business and land together. She assumed the management while grooming her sons to become involved in the business. Sallie was instrumental in changing the nature of S. Gibbs Co. by taking advantage in the increasing demand for lumber by investing in timberland. Sallie, along with her sons, received a charter in 1890, establishing Gibbs National Bank. In 1916, Sallie Gibbs transferred the assets, except for the mercantile, to Gibbs Brothers and Company, a family-owned general partnership made up of her six children. Following the death of Sallie in 1918, the Gibbs Store closed in 1922, and the bank became First National Bank of Huntsville the following year.

Since the mid-1920s, Gibbs Bros. Co. L.P. continues to operate as a family held partnership made up of descendants of Sallie and Sandford Gibbs. Today, a committee, selected by the partners, administers Gibbs Bros. The committee oversees the business, comprised of real estate, timber, minerals, and investments. Through the years, Gibbs Bros. has been blessed with dedicated, loyal, and valuable employees who handle the day-to-day operations.