Frank Gilbert, Postmaster of Monona, is well known in this vicinity, and is greatly respected for those qualities of head and heart which have won him the esteem and confidence of all with whom he associates. He is popular in his official capacity and is discharging the duties of his position with characteristic fidelity, and greatly to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Mr. Gilbert besides occupying his present responsible position, is a stock and grain merchant and is classed among the substantial residents of the place.

The subject of this sketch was born in Rock County, Wis., November 4, 1851, and is the son of Lovell R. Gilbert, a native of the Green Mountain State, whence he removed to Wisconsin when a young man. At that time he made settlement in Rock County and engaged in farm pursuits until his advent into Clayton County, this state, in 1856. Here he resided until his decease, which sad event occurred at the age of sixty-one years. He was very prominent in local affairs, and for many years held the position of Supervisor of Giard and Read Townships, this county. At one time he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for Representative and was defeated by only a few votes.

The maiden name of our subject's mother was Lydia Burt, a native of Vermont. She met and married L. R. Gilbert after removing to Wisconsin, and died when in the forty-fifth year of her age, leaving a family of six children, of whom Frank was the eldest but one.

His father was three times married, and he was the offspring of the second union. The latter was a lad of six years when the family came to Clayton County, He carried on his primary studies in the district school, after which he attended for a short time in Monona village.

Frank of this sketch remained at home until attaining his majority, when he began operating a farm on his own account, and at one time was the possessor of a good estate. He is now engaged in buying and shipping grain and stock to the market in Chicago, which business he finds to be very profitable. In 1893 Mr. Gilbert was appointed Postmaster at Monona, the duties of which office he is discharging in connection with his other business.

Our subject was married in 1875 to Miss Sarah Olmstead, a native of this county, having been born April 7, 1855. She is the daughter of the Hon. P. P. and Hannah Olmstead, whose sketch will be found in full on another page in this volume.

To Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert there have been born four children, three daughters and one son, namely: Carrie, assistant to her father in the office, Parma, Lottie and Page, at home.

In his political relations, Mr. Gilbert is a believer in Democratic principles, which he supports with his voice and vote. Previous to filling his present office he was Town Clerk of Monona for a period of four years. He is a man of much energy, tact and business capacity, and his fellow-townsmen have not failed to recognize his superior merits and qualification, and have thus called him to responsible offices.

~source: Portrait andBiographical Record of Dubuque, Jones and Clayton Counties;Chicago: Chapman Pub. Co., 1894; pg. 396
-transcribed by Becky Teubner