Mr. Gilbert first moved from his native State to the State of New York, where he engaged in the mercantile business, and in 1836 came to Lyndon. Here he commenced farming, but not being inured to the hardships of prairie life, did not succeed according to his anticipations. In 1839 he was elected Recorder of Whiteside county, and continued to hold that office until 1848, when it was abolished by the adoption of the constitution of 1848, and its duties merged with those of the Clerk of the Circuit Court. He performed the duties of the office to the entire satisfaction of all.
It was a pleasure to him to impart information to anyone having business with him in his public capacity. In his intercourse he was genial, whole-souled and manly to a fault, never letting an opportunity of doing a kind act pass unimproved. In 1855 he was taken as a partner in the firm of J. D. Odell & Co., at Lyndon, without capital, as his ability as a salesman was of a high order, and continued with th,at firm until it dissolved, when he became a partner in the firm of White, Anderson & Co., at the same place, and remained in business several years. He died in August, 1860. Mrs. Gilbert died July 19, 1858.
Bent - Wilson 1877
