My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM GILBERT, a retired farmer residing at No. 467 North Charlotte street, Pottstown, was born in Douglass township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1822. He is the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Bickel) Gilbert.

Jacob Gilbert (father) was born in Douglass township, Montgomery county. He was a hand weaver, and later a farmer. Sometime before his death he removed to Pottstown, where he died at the age of seventy years. His wife died three years afterwards, at the age of seventy-three years. He held various township offices. In religious faith they were Lutherans. Jacob and Elizabeth (Bickel) Gilbert had ten children. Mrs. Gilbert was born in Douglass township, Montgomery county. Their children who are now living are: William, Frederick, Henry, Jacob, and Elizabeth, married Edward Frederick. Two sons and three daughters are deceased-Esther, Harriett, Lydia, Jesse and Eli.

Jacob Gilbert (grandfather) was a native of Montgomery county, and died in Berks county, at a good old age. His wife was Miss Shaneley, and they had a large family- Jacob, John, Henry, Andrew, and three daughters. Daniel Bickel (maternal grandfather) was born in Pennsylvania, and was an early settler in New Hanover township, where he was a farmer. He died at an advanced age. His wife was Miss Gilbert, and they had a large family,

William Gilbert was reared in Montgomery county, and has lived there all his life. He attended the old-fashioned subscription schools, and then taught for twelve years before and after his, marriage. After abandoning teaching he undertook farming, which occupied him until his retirement from active business. His farm of ninety-seven acres was located about a mile and a half from Pottstown, and he lived there from 1853 to 1896.

On October 17, 1847, William Gilbert married Miss Esther Bickel, daughter of Lewis Bickel and Susanna (Reigner) Bickel. Lewis Bickel was a farmer in Montgomery county all his life, and he and his wife died at an advanced age. They had nine children, and Rev. L. J. Bickel, pastor of St. James’ and St. Peter’s Lutheran church of Pottstown, was their grandson.

William and Esther (Bickel) Gilbert had seven children, as follows: Susanna (deceased), married Louis Hoffman, and had three children, one now living, William; Milton, died aged six years and four months; Elizabeth, married Jeremiah Rhoads, and has one son, Harry; Irvin, a physician in Philadelphia, married Laura Laird, and has four children-Irvin (deceased), Grace, William and Paul; Hetty, died in infancy; Harriet, married Matthias Wisner; Sarah, died in infancy. Mrs. Esther Gilbert died March 19, 1862, aged thirty-eight years and nineteen days,

William Gilbert married (second wife), in 1864, Miss Sarah Koch, born June 21, 1821, died August 8, 1896. She was the daughter of Henry and Sarah (Moyer) Koch. There were no children by the second marriage.

Mr. Gilbert is a member of Emmanuel Lutheran church, and his wives belonged to the same church. In politics he is a Democrat, and served as county auditor for nine years, and justice of the peace for fifteen years.