ALVIN GILBERT. How frequently is it the case that natural ability and energy combined accomplish truly wonderful results, raising a man from poverty to the importance and publicity that wealth brings. The subject of this sketch commenced life with virtually nothing so far as finances go, and has by dint of good judgment, pleasing address and energy amassed quite a comfortable fortune. At this writing he is living upon his valuable farm, including six hundred and forty broad acres on section 25, Blissville Township, Jefferson County.

Mr. Gilbert was born in Washington County, Ohio, March 3, 1839, and is the youngest child of Eli and Susan M. (Gale) Gilbert. The father was a native of Washington County, N.H., and was born in 1789. He was a cloth dresser by trade, and the year of our subject's birth he emigrated to Illinois, making the journey down the Ohio River in a flat-boat to Shawneetown, whence he came overland to Jefferson County. After coming to the Prairie State, he turned his attention to farm pursuits, which he followed in connection with operating a store at Williamsburg, and later at Ashley, this state, until his decease. His property was located where our subject now resides, and was embellished with all the improvements of a first-class estate. He died in 1875, at the age of eighty-six years; his good wife had departed this life some years previous.

Alvin Gilbert received his education in the country schools, and remained at home assisting his father in cultivating his estate until reaching his twentieth year, when he began farming on his own account at his present place. Two years later he removed to Ashley, where he was engaged in clerking in his father's store for two years, and then returned to his farm. For some time he has been interested in dealing in stock, and buys and ships each year a carload of mules. He has one of the finest farms in the county, and his life has been an eminently useful and successful one.

Alvin Gilbert and Miss Anna M. Watkins were united in marriage June 4, 1859. The lady is the daughter of Jacob R. Watkins, a native of Virginia, who came to Illinois in 1853. Their union has resulted in the birth of six children, as follows: Walter J., who married Miss Linnie Dodds and is a resident of this county; Thomas E., who married Isabel Crane and also lives here; Orloff Watkins, who died when twenty-five years of age; Linnie, who married Walter Philps and makes her home in this county; Maggie and Maude, who are at home with their parents. At the time of his demise, Orloff W. was engaged in the clothing business at Mt. Vernon, and was a prominent Knight of Pythias.

Though not a member of any denomination, our subject rather includes toward the Universalist belief, while Mrs. Gilbert is a member of and regular attendant at the Methodist Church. He is a Republican in politics, and is interested in local and national issues, and as a liberal-spirited citizen is ever ready to aid in all matters of public enterprise. Although never aspiring to office, he has been Collector of his township for two terms and is quite prominent in local affairs.

"Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, Illinois"
Published by Chapman Publishing Company of Chicago in 1894

Submitted by Sandy (Whalen) Bauer