Sarah Kerby Gibson-1st woman doctor in Walla Walla
I am searching for family connected to George W. Gibson and wife Sarah “Etta” (Kerby) Gibson.
As family stories are known to go, our family always reported that Aunt Etta was the first woman doctor in Washington State.I eventually discovered she was actually the first woman doctor in Walla Walla County, Washington...still a feat worthy of noting.
She was the daughter of Sarah Roseline (Ayres) and David Morgan Kerby, born 1875 in Columbia County, WA.
According to “Deceased American Physicians Director”, 1804 - 1929, Vol 1:
GIBSON, Sarah Etta (Kerby) 9-18-26 W.Walla; 1874; Allopath; Amer. Medical Missionary Collg, Bttl Crk, MI & Chicago1900 (G); W.Walla May 21 1917; surgery, complctn's.[Note: Death date should be 17th]
I suspect Etta & George were married approx 1904, since the oldest child in censuses was born in 1906:
Dorothy A., 1906, born Washington
Arnold or Garnold, 1908, born Idaho
Catherine M., 1912, born Oregon
I have not been able to locate George & Etta in 1910 census.I have searched Washington, Idaho & Oregon, since their children were born in those states, but nothing shows up in indexes.By 1915 they’re in the Walla Walla City Directory.
Etta died 17 Sep 1926 in Walla Walla City, WA and I found that George & daughters, Dorothy & Catherine are still in Walla Walla County in 1930 census.But I’ve been unable to trace them since that time and look forward to the day I can break thru this wall.
Any help will be gladly appreciated.
Kim Knapp