My Genealogy Hound

John F. Gilbert, one of the prosperous agriculturists of Hempstead County, was born in this county, near where he now lives, on December 14, 1846, and is the son of John F. and Sarah (Davis) Gilbert, both of whom were born in Tennessee, in 1814 and 1824, respectively. They were reared to maturity in their native State, subsequently marrying and immigrating to Arkansas in 1831, locating in Hempstead County, where they lived until their death. He died in November, 1868, and she in March, 1884. In early life the father was an overseer, but he was, in later life, an extensive planter. Both he and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and both were active in church work, Mr. Gilbert serving as steward. He was a stanch Democrat in his political views. Their marriage resulted in the birth of twelve children, the subject of this sketch being the sixth in the order of birth, five of whom are still living. The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood and youth in his native county, and attended school at the Old Liberty school-house. In November, 1863, he joined Col. Williams’ regiment of cavalry, in which he served until the close of the war. At the battle of Mark’s Mill he received a gunshot in the left arm and breast. When the war was over he returned to his home, and commenced to farm for himself, in which occupation he has ever since continued. He now owns 280 acres of good land, 160 of which he cultivates. On January 10, 1867, he was united in matrimonial bonds to Miss Lucy Heather, of this county, but born in Benton County, Ark., who died on March 10, 1874, in her twenty-ninth year. There were five children born to this marriage, all of whom are still living, viz.: Ebba F. (a farmer of Howard County, Ark.), Willie F. and Johnnie (at home), Redalia (wife of Jefferson Coleman, a farmer near Little Rock, Ark.), and Gussie R. Miss Ada J. Rosenbaum became Mr. Gilbert’s wife, March 2, 1876, and after a brief wedded life of more than a year she died, April 22, 1877, leaving a little son George W. Mr. Gilbert married his present wife on June 6,1880, her maiden name being Miss Alice A. Coleman. Her birth occurred in Mecklenburg County, Va., January 18, 1857, she being a daughter of T. B. Coleman. Five children were born to this last marriage, four of whom are still living: Beatrice, Maggie, Alice, and Blanche Agnes (at home), and James F. (deceased). Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are both worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Politically, Mr. Gilbert is a Democrat, and socially, belongs to the A. F. & A. M. and the County Wheel.