An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 311-312
	
	JOHN GILBERT has been identified with the agricultural interests of Clarke
county since 1884, and has won the right to representation in this volume. He
was born in Westchester county, New York, October 30, 1817, a son of Josiah and
Sallie (Hoyt) Gilbert, also natives of the Empire State. He grew to maturity
amid the scenes of his childhood, but after arriving at man's estate he left the
parental roof and went in search of his fortune. Going south as far as Virginia,
he located on a farm near Washington City, and there tilled the soil and engaged
in raising fruit. The turmoil of the Civil war put an end to this peaceful
occupation, and called a halt upon all the useful industries of that section.
Mr. Gilbert was appointed assistant to his brother-in-law, General Edward Ball,
Sergeant-at-arms in the House of Representatives, and held this position until
1864. About this time he became interested in the manufacture of paper, and
removed to Zanesville, Ohio, where he continued in business for nineteen years.
	Turning with the tide of emigration to the West, Mr. Gilbert came to the
State of Washington and purchased property near Tacoma. In 1884, as before
stated, he located near Ridgefield, Clarke county; here he owns 200 acres of
land, fifty of which he has placed under cultivation. He has a fine orchard of
five acres, chiefly planted to prunes, which yield a crop in 1893. He also has
two acres of an older orchard planted to apples, cherries and other fruits.
	Mr. Gilbert's marriage occurred in Virginia, November 5, 1844, when he was
united to Miss Sarah C. Ball, a sister of the well-known Union generals, William
and Edward Ball. Mrs. Gilbert is a woman of rare culture and experience. Five
children have been born to our subject and wife: John J., William B., Edward T.,
Frank, and Mary G., wife of S.P. Mackey, a well-known merchant of Ridgefield.
	
Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer
	
	
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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project.  Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.