Gilbert S. Gilbertson, died 1917
GILBERTSON, WHITNEY, WEST, SCRIPPS, LEAMER
Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 6/13/2010 at 20:38:24
Des Moines - Gilbert S. Gilbertson, one of the best known business men of Iowa, died at the Iowa Lutheran hospital following a stroke of paralysis recently. Mr. Gilbertson was 54 years old. He had severed most of his active business connections here and for some time past he and his wife have been living in California hoping to benefit his health. He was recently brought back to Des Moines for medical attention.
Mr. Gilbertson was for three terms state treasurer of Iowa, was one of the leading figures in banking circles and was prominently connected with the republican party. He had been president of the Iowa Trust and Savings bank, the Inter-State Business Men's Accidental association and the Northwestern Land and Colonization company.
His political career was begun as clerk of the District Court of Winnebago county in 1889, which position he held for eight years. In 1896 he was elected state senator from the forty-first district. He was well known all over the state. He served as city treasurer of Forest City for ten years and was chairman of the Winnebago county republican central committee for nine years.
He was married in 1899 to Miss Belle D. Whitney. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. E. Chase West and Mrs. Earl H. Scripps, both of Des Moines.
~Emmetsburg Democrat, December 5, 1917
_________________________Gilbert S. Gilbertson, who was state treasurer of Iowa for three terms, died Sunday morning at Iowa Lutheran Hospital from the effects of a fourth stroke of paralysis, recently suffered.
Gilbertson for many years has been a leading Iowa banker. More recently his health has dictated retirement from most of his interests, and he has lived in California. Gilbertson was elected state treasurer in 1900 following two terms in the Iowa Senate. Prior to coming to the legislature he was clerk of the Winnebago co. district court for eight years. He first went in business as bookkeeper in an agricultural house at Forest City. Later he was general manager of an establishment there.
He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Belle D. Whitney, and two daughters: Mrs. Earl H. Scripps and Mrs. E. Chase West of Des Moines. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Rev. A.B. Leamer preaching the sermon.
Gilbertson was one of the pioneer Progressives of the state, according to Ora Williams, state document editor. "People usually think of the Progressive movement as starting with the election of Senator Cummins as governor of Iowa, but it really began one year previous, when Gilbert Gilbertson was elected state treasurer, and W.B. Martin, secretary of state. These men were both Progressives and their election gave the Progressive division of the Republican party one-half of the executive council. The election of Cummins the next year gave them a majority of the council."
~The Des Moines News, November 26, 1917 (obit & picture)
Winnebago Obituaries maintained by Cheryl Siebrass.
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