GILBERT, H. J.

GILBERT, ENSIGN, HYDE, BENSCHOTER

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 4/5/2004 at 14:23:27

Biography reproduced from page 702 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

One of the very few remaining pioneers of what is now Plum Creek township is H. J. Gilbert, who resides on the old homestead purchased forty years ago. Mr. Gilbert has always been a man of strict integrity, industrious and saving, and is now the owner of two hundred and forty acres of rich, well improved and very valuable agricultural land. He was born in the state of Illinois, July 4, 1841, and after some time spent in various parts of the United States and Canada, he was married at Sparta, Wisconsin, to Lucy J. Ensign, coming to Iowa in the fall of 1870. Mrs. Gilbert, whose ancestry dates back to the Norman conquest of England and the beginning of American colonial history is a woman of much force of character and is still very actively interested in the political and social life of the day. The result of this union was six children: Susie E., deceased; E. L.; Louise (Gilbert) Hyde, of Jacksonville, Florida; Laura D. Benschoter, a resident of this county; Lee E., of La Grange, Georgia; and Claire, at home.

Mr. Gilbert has now retired from the active management of the farm delegating the same to E. L. Gilbert, a man of some education and considerable experience in different lines of business. He spent some time in various parts of the country and for fourteen years was engaged in the management of elevators in Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota. He returned to the old homestead in 1909 to take up the duties devolving him on the retirement of his parents.