These two brothers, Thomas and William, along with their father contributed to laying down the foundations for the Oshawa of the future.  The Gibbs founded the Ontario Loan and Savings Co. in 1873, which in itself made a great contribution of building up Oshawa, both industrially and residentially. They had also taken over Western Bank from the Warrens. The Gibbs had saved the Warrens when their fortunes collapsed.
  The Gibbs’ were also well known public servants. They were both Reeves of Oshawa and Thomas Gibbs was also elected to the House of Commons in 1867, the year of Confederation, and continued to represent South Ontario until 1874.