My Genealogy Hound

A. B. GILBERT, farmer, P. O. Aberdeen, was born near where he now lives October 28, 1810, and is a son of William and Margaret (Fryer) Gilbert. His father was born in Pennsylvania March 1, 1776; Margaret, his wife, was born December 16, 1777. They were married in Virginia, and, in 1808, with a family of five children, came to Ohio, and settled where our subject now resides. He here purchased 202 acres of land, for which he paid $2 per acre. He moved into a cabin that had been built by a man named Gunsalus, who held a lease on the land he had purchased. The land he cleared up and improved, and lived on during his life. He was a Justice of the Peace and Trustee many years, and during military days was a Captain of militia. He and his wife were members of the M. E. Church. To them were born the following twelve children, five of whom were born in Virginia — Elizabeth, Ruth, Nathan, John, Sarah, William, Alex. B., Rachel G., Walter G., Peggy, Robert D. and Benjamin E. Mrs. Gilbert died in 1822. Mr. Gilbert was married to Betsey Anderson, who bore him two children, namely Howey A. and an infant. His second marriage was celebrated with Betsey Ramy. He died October 28, 1830. A remarkable coincidence exists in the fact that his father and mother lay a corpse upon his birthday, and that his brother Nathan was married to his second wife upon the same day. William, Sr., was a soldier in the war of 1812. Our subject was brought up, as are all pioneer boys, with plenty of hard work, privation and exposure. He was fond of hunting and fishing, and his spare time was spent in these sports in preference to attending school. He was married, in January, 1830, to Catherine, the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Cruzen) Housh, who settled in this township in 1804. After his marriage, he settled on the place where he now lives, and where fifty-two years of his life have been spent. He has been fortunate and unfortunate during life, and yet has a competency for his remaining years. He has operated a saw-mill since he was thirteen years of age. To him have been born two children — Dyas and John. He has twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. The father of Mrs. Gilbert was born in Pennsylvania, and her mother in Maryland. They settled in this township on the East Fork of Eagle Creek, where they purchased 200 acres of land, where he died about 1850. She died about 1864. They were parents of twelve children, of whom five are living, namely — Mary A., Catherine, Rachel, Lucy and Harrison. The deceased are — Anna, Betsey, Nancy, India, William, Gilbert and Jackson. He held some of the minor offices of the township. He served in the war of 1812 — in the Lake expedition. Mrs. Gilbert was born in this township September 3, 1802.