GILBERTSON, Gilbert G. 1847-1931

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GILBERTSON, Gilbert G. 1847-1931

GILBERTSON, CLAUSEN, GALLAGER, ASK, GOLBERG, KROUSE

Posted By: Deidre Badker (email)
Date: 6/14/2006 at 06:27:26

#1 of 2 items:
GILBERT G. GILBERTSON, PIONEER ST. ANSGAR ONION MAN, DEAD
G. G. Gilbertson, one of St. Ansgar's oldest settlers, died Sunday at the home of his daughter, Miss Josephine, with whom he had made his home for the last few years. Mr. Gilbertson had been in failing health for some time and the end came peacefully Sunday morning.
Mr. Gilbertson had been identified with St. Ansgar's leading interests for 78 years. He came to St. Ansgar from Wisconsin a year after the founding of the town by the Clausen colony settling on his farm 4 1/2 miles southeast of St. Ansgar, Iowa.
It was here that the "Father of the Onion Industry" as he afterwards became known, started the development of the red and yellow globe onion bulbs that became sought after by the leading national seed growers, including the Vaughn Seed Co., of Chicago. The quality of the onion called "Grandpa's Pride" was so outstanding that it attracted the attention of J. C. Vaughn of Chicago, who made a special trip to the Gilbertson farm to investigate the merits of the bulbs, as the globe onion was unknown at that time. The result was that Mr. Gilbertson sold the entire crop of bulbs to Mr. Vaughn for seed stock.
To improve the strain of the onion seed from year to year by the most careful selection and restriction was considered by Mr. Gilbertson as his life's work and that his objective was reached, is shown by the remarkable progress the industry has made around St. Ansgar.
To facilitate the work of raising onions, Mr. Gilbertson invented the first perfect onion planter, one that actually picked up one seed at a time and deposited the seeds the required distance apart.
Since Mr. Gilbertson shipped the first carload of onions out of St. Ansgar, the industry has grown rapidly, until St. Ansgar has become known as the onion center of the Middle West.
Not only was Mr. Gilbertson interested in the raising of onions, potatoes and cabbage, but he started the ginseng industry, which has grown to such proportions that St. Ansgar is known as the town having the largest ginseng arbors in the country.
Mr. Gilbertson's work as a nurseryman started back in the early days on the farm when he raised fruit trees, small fruits and evergreen trees. This business developed to such a degree that he came to St. Ansgar 35 years ago and started a nursery in the east part of town, specializing in evergreens for windbreak purposes. The demand for evergreens was such that it was necessary to start a nursery in Mason City, IA. Today, many of the leading farms are not only beautiful but protected by the evergreen trees from the Gilbertson nurseries.
St. Ansgar should be grateful today that it is able to reap the benefits made possible by the work and untiring efforts of this one man with a vision and a purpose.
Obituary:
Gilbert G. Gilbertson was born in Rock Prairie, Dane County, Wisconsin on January 6, 1847, and died at his home in St. Ansgar, Iowa on Sunday morning, August 2, 1931 at the ripe old age of 84 years, 6 months and 26 days.
In the spring of 1852, his father accompanied the Rev. Mr. Clausen and Hans Gallager to locate land near the present site of St. Ansgar but it was not until the following year that the family moved here. Except for these early childhood years and brief periods spent in other towns and cities, Mr. Gilbertson lived his entire life within the larger St. Ansgar community, identified with its interests and giving his best to it.
On October 12, 1870, he was united in marriage with Annie Christine Ask, who preceded him in death on January 18, 1924. To this happy union were born five children, all of whom survive: G. Lawrence, of Austin, MN; A. Oscar, of St. Ansgar; Mrs. Tillie Golberg of Enderlin, North Dakota; Josephine A. of St. Ansgar; and Mrs. Olga Krouse, of Winter Park, Florida.
Mr. Gilbertson also leaves to mourn his death 9 grandchildren: Alton, DeLores, Cozette, Gladiolus, Garry and Mary Lou Gilbertson, of St. Ansgar; George, Ruth and Enid Betty Krouse, of Winter Park, Florida. Also 3 great-grandchildren: Milton, Jack and Jeanine Gilbertson.
Mr. Gilbertson had been in failing health for 2 years, gradually growing weaker until he quietly passed away to the heavenly home with the tender care of loved ones around him.
Mr. Gilbertson was not only one of the pioneer residents but he was also one of the outstanding builders of the community, leaving his mark profoundly upon the fundamental structure of the community, in many ways. He was a pioneer in endeavor as well as physically, a man who worked with vision and industry. He loved his old time friends and neighbors and was held in high regard by them. He loved to greet them with a cheery word and a smile of encouragement and good will. He will be missed, not only by the dear ones of the family, but by the entire community for which he did so much.
(From the Mitchell County Press News - August 5, 1931)
Submitted to IaGenWeb by Deidre Badker
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#2:
The photo below is from St. Ansgar Centennial History booklet - 1853-1953. (Submitted to IaGenWeb by S. Bell)

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Obituary: #1 of 2 items: GILBERT G. GILBERTSON, PIONEER ST. ANSGAR ONION MAN, DEAD G. G. Gilbertson, one of St. Ansgar's oldest settlers, died Sunday at the home of his daughter, Miss Josephine, with whom he had made his home for the last few years. Mr. Gilbertson had been in failing health for some time and the end came peacefully Sunday morning. Mr. Gilbertson had been identified with St. Ansgar's leading interests for 78 years. He came to St. Ansgar from Wisconsin a year after the founding of the town by the Clausen colony settling on his farm 4 1/2 miles southeast of St. Ansgar, Iowa. It was here that the "Father of the Onion Industry" as he afterwards became known, started the development of the red and yellow globe onion bulbs that became sought after by the leading national seed growers, including the Vaughn Seed Co., of Chicago. The quality of the onion called "Grandpa's Pride" was so outstanding that it attracted the attention of J. C. Vaughn of Chicago, who made a special trip to the Gilbertson farm to investigate the merits of the bulbs, as the globe onion was unknown at that time. The result was that Mr. Gilbertson sold the entire crop of bulbs to Mr. Vaughn for seed stock. To improve the strain of the onion seed from year to year by the most careful selection and restriction was considered by Mr. Gilbertson as his life's work and that his objective was reached, is shown by the remarkable progress the industry has made around St. Ansgar. To facilitate the work of raising onions, Mr. Gilbertson invented the first perfect onion planter, one that actually picked up one seed at a time and deposited the seeds the required distance apart. Since Mr. Gilbertson shipped the first carload of onions out of St. Ansgar, the industry has grown rapidly, until St. Ansgar has become known as the onion center of the Middle West. Not only was Mr. Gilbertson interested in the raising of onions, potatoes and cabbage, but he started the ginseng industry, which has grown to such proportions that St. Ansgar is known as the town having the largest ginseng arbors in the country. Mr. Gilbertson's work as a nurseryman started back in the early days on the farm when he raised fruit trees, small fruits and evergreen trees. This business developed to such a degree that he came to St. Ansgar 35 years ago and started a nursery in the east part of town, specializing in evergreens for windbreak purposes. The demand for evergreens was such that it was necessary to start a nursery in Mason City, IA. Today, many of the leading farms are not only beautiful but protected by the evergreen trees from the Gilbertson nurseries. St. Ansgar should be grateful today that it is able to reap the benefits made possible by the work and untiring efforts of this one man with a vision and a purpose. Obituary: Gilbert G. Gilbertson was born in Rock Prairie, Dane County, Wisconsin on January 6, 1847, and died at his home in St. Ansgar, Iowa on Sunday morning, August 2, 1931 at the ripe old age of 84 years, 6 months and 26 days. In the spring of 1852, his father accompanied the Rev. Mr. Clausen and Hans Gallager to locate land near the present site of St. Ansgar but it was not until the following year that the family moved here. Except for these early childhood years and brief periods spent in other towns and cities, Mr. Gilbertson lived his entire life within the larger St. Ansgar community, identified with its interests and giving his best to it. On October 12, 1870, he was united in marriage with Annie Christine Ask, who preceded him in death on January 18, 1924. To this happy union were born five children, all of whom survive: G. Lawrence, of Austin, MN; A. Oscar, of St. Ansgar; Mrs. Tillie Golberg of Enderlin, North Dakota; Josephine A. of St. Ansgar; and Mrs. Olga Krouse, of Winter Park, Florida. Mr. Gilbertson also leaves to mourn his death 9 grandchildren: Alton, DeLores, Cozette, Gladiolus, Garry and Mary Lou Gilbertson, of St. Ansgar; George, Ruth and Enid Betty Krouse, of Winter Park, Florida. Also 3 great-grandchildren: Milton, Jack and Jeanine Gilbertson. Mr. Gilbertson had been in failing health for 2 years, gradually growing weaker until he quietly passed away to the heavenly home with the tender care of loved ones around him. Mr. Gilbertson was not only one of the pioneer residents but he was also one of the outstanding builders of the community, leaving his mark profoundly upon the fundamental structure of the community, in many ways. He was a pioneer in endeavor as well as physically, a man who worked with vision and industry. He loved his old time friends and neighbors and was held in high regard by them. He loved to greet them with a cheery word and a smile of encouragement and good will. He will be missed, not only by the dear ones of the family, but by the entire community for which he did so much. (From the Mitchell County Press News - August 5, 1931) Submitted to IaGenWeb by Deidre Badker ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- #2: The photo below is from St. Ansgar Centennial History booklet - 1853-1953. (Submitted to IaGenWeb by S. Bell)
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