GILBERT, Richard (1838 - 1928)

GILBERT, GRUNDY, PARKS, CRARY

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/16/2025 at 20:01:44

Richard Gilbert was born at upper Percotton Parish of Endreath, Cornwall, England, on February 26, 1838, and passed away at his home northeast of Larrabee on October 8, 1928. He had attained the age of 90 years, 7 months and 10 days.

The story of many years of his earlier life can best be told in his own words written by himself Jan. 6, 1925, as follows:

“In the year 1852, on the 11th day of August, my father and mother and family sailed from Fowery Port, Cornwall, on a sail ship for Canada. We arrived at Darlington, Ontario, on the 4th day of October 1852. In the spring of 1864 left Canada for the north of Michigan. I worked for a furnace company three years then went west and worked on the Union Pacific railroad; returned to Lake Superior and worked for the furnace company until April 1870. I arrived at old Cherokee on April 27, 1870 – looked around here some, went to Nebraska and viewed the country. I concluded Iowa was best.” At this juncture Mr. Gilbert bought a quarter section of land upon which he has made his home ever since.

In 1873 he was married to Ann Grundy, by the Rev. D. R. Stanford. The next year he took out his citizenship papers. To this union were born four children, Earnest, Fred, Alice and Arthur, who were twins. Alice and Arthur died in childhood; Earnest preceded his father in death by eight years, almost to the day. Mr. Gilbert’s faithful wife, Ann Gilbert, passed away Feb. 12, 1883.

On March 31, 1884, he was married to Bessie Grundy. Four children were born to this second union: Hattie Mae, Maude M., Arthur W. and Irl Edward. Maude and Arthur passed away in childhood.

He is survived by a brother and a sister, Caleb Gilbert of Yakima, Wash., and Mrs. Elizabeth Parks of Sutherland, Ia. He leaves behind, also, his good wife, three children, Fred Gilbert, Mrs. B. Crary and Irl Gilbert, all of Larrabee, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A host of friends, besides many relatives will miss him. He was an honest, upright Christian gentleman. A clear thinker and tremendously interested in moral reform, he always wanted to do his share to make the world better.

A long life well lived is not lost, it is an addition to the world’s heritage of high ideals and holy endeavor. May God bless his memory and increase his kind. (Source: The Cherokee Chief, Thurs., Oct. 18, 1928, pg. 2)