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WILLIS WESLEY GILBERT
Born: May 11th, 1833 in Coshocton County, Ohio
Died: June 3, 1900 in Clark County Illinois.
Parents: Linos Gilbert &
Margeret Dunfee
Elder Linos
Gilbert was a missionary Baptist Minister and finding no
church of his denomination closer than 10 miles, was determined to organize on in the Township (Clark County).
In 1852, those interested in the movement met at a school house and effected an organization with the following
members: Elder Linos, wife Margerie, Electa (Gilbert) Norris, Sarah (Gilbert)
Wright, Marenda
(Gilbert) Beabout and husband
William Beabout, Willis
Gilbert, Eunice
Gilbert, Celia
McCune.
Soon after this organization, Reverends Fuson, J. Riley, and H. Humphrey met
with the society and formally recognized it as a church in regular standing. In 1860 a new log school house was
erected about 2 miles N.W. of Auburn, Ill and the little church held its services there until 1872 when frame building
30 x 40 was erected on the National Road (now
US 40) 2 miles west of Auburn and 3 miles east of Martinsville,
IL at the cost of $1000.00. Said church was known as Bethel. Elder Linos preached there about 15 years without
pay until ill health caused him to quit.
Married (1): Ruhama
Garie October 17, 1852 in Coshocton County, Ohio Dtr of
Samuel
& Miriana (Houser) Garie
Married (2): Lucy
(McCumber) Stattler, Daughter of William & Mary (Van Ness) McCumber
Willis Wesley Gilbert
came to Clark County with his parents in 1851. He returned to Ohio where he was united in marriage to Ruhama. Upon his
return with his new bride, he located near Auburn, Il, always residing in Clark County. After the death of Ruhama
Feb 14, 1892, Willis Married Mrs. Lucy (McCumber) Stattler. Willis was age 61 and Lucy was 65. They were married in Martinsville,
IL on Sept 25, 1893 by W. B. Allen, pastor of the church of God
(Clark County Marriage book, page 298, Marshall).
Willis was one of 9 children, 3 of his brothers dying within a
year of each other. He is known to have been 5'10", eyes grey, hair black, complexion dark. Willis was a private
in the Civil War, being a member of the Co. F, 79th Ill Infantry. He enlisted Aug 1, 1862 at the age of 29 (although
his papers in Springfield show him to be 22). He was mustered out June 12, 1865 by Captain
Wilson, Nashville, Tennessee. His funeral was at the Auburn
Church. The sermon was given by Rev Audles of Martinsville, IL., His body was laid to rest with the solemnly impressive
ceremonies of the G. A. R. of which he was a member.
Children of Ruhama and Willis are:
William Marion Gilbert
Born January 20, 1863
George Wesley Gilbert
Born March 14, 1856
Margaret Rebecca Gilbert
born Feb 22, 1859
John Milton Gilbert
Mary Elizabeth Gilbert
Linos A. Gilbert
Ruhama Melissa Gilbert
Rosa E. Gilbert
Charles Edward Gilbert
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