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- ZINA GILBERT, one of the representative and leading citizens
of
- Rock County, who is now living a retired life in Milton Junction,
is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Otsego County,
March 17, 1801. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent
in his native county, and his education was received in the common
schools. In 1819, when eighteen years of age he left Otsego county
and became a resident of Allegany County, where he made his home
for about twenty-nine years. In early life he learned the cooper's
trade which he followed for a livelihood in New York, and also
worked at it for some time after becoming a resident of Wisconsin.
He also owned a farm in Allegany County, which is situated in
the oil regions.
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- On arriving at man's estate, Mr. GILBERT was united in marriage
with Miss Prudence
- FULLER, their wedding being celebrated in 1826. The lady
was born in New York, and they became the parents of eight children
- Lucina, the eldest of the family, makes her home with her brother
in Milton; Clarinda, who became the wife of a Mr. RANDOLPH, now
deceased, is living in Dane County, Wis.; Elijah died at the
age of thirty years; Philo resides with his sister in Milton;
Phedora, who was joined in wedlock with Horace BABCOCK, died
in 1864; Amarilla, who became the wife of Henry WILLIAMS, who
lives at Milton Junction, died in March, 1881; Phoebe C., is
a resident of Milton; Sumner married Miss Emma OVIATE and had
five children, three of whom are living.
- Mr. GILBERT left his home in the East and came to Wisconsin
in 1848, casting his lot with the
- early settlers of Dane County. As before stated, he worked
at coopering for some time, and also embarked in farming, which
occupation he followed until his retirement from active life.
He became a leading citizen of the community in which he resided
and was honored for his strict integrity and uprightness of character.
He was the choice of his fellow citizens for various local offices
of trust. For several years he filled the position of Town Treasurer,
for one year acted as Township Clerk, and was also elected and
served as Superintendent of Schools, and served eight years as
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. He discharged his official
duties with the same promptness and fidelity which marks all
his intercourse with his fellow men, and proved an able and efficient
officer, though he has ever taken an active interest in political
affairs. He cast his first Presidential vote for John Quincy
Adams in 1824, and in 1840, deposited a ballot for William Henry
Harrison, the candidate of the Whig party, with which he affiliated
until its dissolution. An abolitionist in principle, when the
Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension
of slavery, he joined its ranks and from that time has never
failed to cast a vote for its candidates, his last ballot up
to the present time, having been deposited for Hon. Benjamin
Harrison, who now holds the highest position within the gift
of the American people. In the days of his early manhood, while
residing in Allegany County, N.Y., Mr. GILBERT became a member
of the Seventh Day Baptist Church. Almost from the beginning
he has filled the office of Deacon and has borne a prominent
part in the church. He now holds membership with the church at
Milton Junction, where he has lived since 1880. He has long since
passed the allotted three score years and then, but notwithstanding
his advanced age, he still has possession of his mental and physical
faculties to a remarkable degree. He can now look back over a
well spent life passed in the service of his Master with no regret
for the years that have come and gone, and as he looks forward
to the future, his faith grows stronger. The greatest sorrow
of his life came upon him at the death of his loving wife, at
their home in Dane County, in 1868. As a neighbor and friend,
Mr. GILBERT is kind and accommodating; as a citizen he is true
and loyal; as a father, loving and tender; and as a Christian,
consistent and faithful. The fine portrait of Mr. GILBERT on
the opposite page is from a photograph taken when in his eighty-ninth
year.
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- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 695-696; lithograph from
same book.
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- Courtesy of Carol
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