My Genealogy Hound

SILAS GILBERT, farmer, Sec. 5; P. O. Arcanum. The subject of this memoir was born in Frederick Co., Md., Nov. 20, 1845, and is a son of Solomon and Sarah Gilbert, natives of Maryland. Solomon Gilbert was born in April, 1818; Mrs. Gilbert in December, 1819; they were the parents of seven children, of whom three are living, viz., Julia, Silas, the subject of this sketch, and William S.; they emigrated from Maryland to Montgomery Co., Ohio, in the fall of 1847, and settled on the same section where he now resides. Our subject assisted his father in the duties of the farm until he was 21 years of age, and then began life for himself, and engaged in farming in Montgomery County until 1869, and then removed to Darke County in 1870, and settled on the place where he now resides. He first purchased 82 acres of land, with no improvements, but has built a fine residence, a large barn, and made other improvements that make his home attractive and pleasant; he has recently purchased 25 acres of land near the home place, and now owns 107 acres of as fine land as is to be found in Darke County. He celebrated his marriage with Miss Frances, daughter of John and Sarah Resler, June 3, 1866; they were natives of Virginia, and settled in Montgomery Co. in 1845. Mr. Kesler died in 1847; his wife died near Muncie. Ind., in 1858 or 1859; they were the parents of seven children, of whom five are living, viz.: John S., resides in Miami Co.; James M., lives in Springfield, Ohio; Lucy A., now Mrs. McGowan, resides in Dayton; Caroline, now Mrs. Baker, lives in Montgomery Co.; Frances, wife of the subject of this sketch. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are the parents of seven children, viz.: Sarah J., born Oct. 10, 1868; Julia C., Dec. 7, 1870; Orin S., Feb. 22, 1874; Mary C., June 28, 1876; Cora E., Feb. 1, 1879, two dying in infancy. Mr. Gilbert had only the advantage of a good common-school education, but is greatly interested in educational matters, and is a contributor to the press, his articles always being honored by the same. He has been a member of the German Baptist Church for fifteen years, and is a Deacon of the Church. Mrs. Gilbert has been in the same church for eighteen years, and is an energetic, consistent Christian woman.