Panora Vedette
Panora, Guthrie Co. Iowa
Friday, November 27, 1891
p.1 c.4
Richard Gilbert was born in Rutland county VT in April 1813. When
about a year old he went to Wayne county NY and remained there
until 16 years old. From Wayne county he went to Lancaster OH.
After drifting from place to place he finally settled down to
business in Indianapolis IN, remaining there 18 or 19 years. In
the spring of 1850, he went to CA taking the trip around Cape
Horn. After spending two years in CA and OR, he came to Guthrie
County IA. In 1836, he was married to Martha Thomas by whom he
had three children: Obed F., killed at Pea Ridge; Charles G.,
killed on the Wabash Railroad in 1881, and an infant. His wife
died in May 1849. In December 1853, he married Miss Isabel M.
Campbell, by whom he had seven children, five of whom were
present at the funeral. Richard Gilbert embraced Christianity
while in Indianapolis and united with the Presbyterian church. He
was kind and loving to his family and courteous and hospitable to
those who were his guests. He said to the son who inquired about
his spiritual condition -"I am not afraid to die; I have
tried to live right. I expect to die as I have lived." He
passed away on Saturday morning November 21, 1891. The funeral
services were conducted by the writer at the home on Sunday at 11
a.m. At the close of the funeral service, the Masonic Fraternity
took charge of the body and buried it according to their usual
custom. Thus one more of the pioneers of Guthrie County has gone
to his long house.
-F.M. Gaines