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Compiled by John H. Wheeler Published in 1903 by B. F. Bowen Biography Page 172 - 173 |
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ESEDORE GILBERT
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For almost a third of a century Esedore Gilbert has been an active factor in mercantile interests in Sherman, controlling a business of considerable magnitude. At the time of his arrival here the town was in the early stages of its development and throughout the intervening period he has been prominent in the advancement of commercial activity, whereon the growth and prosperity of every town and city depends. Widely known, his life history cannot fail to prove of interest to his many friends and it is therefore with pleasure that this record is presented. Mr. Gilbert was born upon a farm in Indiana, September 22, 1847. His father, Truman Gilbert, was also a farmer by occupation, following that pursuit throughout his entire business career. The mother of the subject bore the maiden name of Calista Clark and her death occurred while she was visiting in Whitewater, Wisconsin, when sixty-six years of age. Mr. Gilbert had passed away in Indiana, at the age of forty years. In their family were four children, of whom Esedore was the youngest. During his early childhood, when only about a year and a half old, Esedore Gilbert was taken by his parents to Hillsdale, Michigan, where they resided for six years, and then settled upon a farm in Hillsdale county. He worked in the field and meadows during his youth, becoming familiar with farm work in its various departments, and when he was eighteen years of age he started out in life on his own account and has since depended upon his labor for all that he has enjoyed and achieved. Not desiring to make farming his life work, he left home and went to St. Charles, Saginaw county, Michigan, where he secured employment in a saw-mill. After two months, however, he removed to Big Rapids, for the purpose of locating pine lands. He spent about two years in inspecting pine lands, at the end of which time he began driving a stage between Big Rapids and Traverse City, which business he followed for six months. Mr. Gilbert next came to Sherman and while the city has profited by his business activity, he has also found here a good field of labor, wherein industry has gained its merited reward in a comfortable cempetence. It was in the fall of 1870 that he arrived in Wexford county and for a time he engaged in conducting a hotel known as the Grant House. After a year, however, he sold out and accepted a clerkship in the general store of Maqueston Brothers, from which time his connection with mercantile interests in Sherman dates. He remained in the employ of that firm for four and a half years, during which time he gained a good knowledge of the methods in mercantile life and his experience has proven of much value to him in later years. His clerkship ended, he then embarked in business on his own account as a member of a firm, his partner being the late I. H. Maqueston. This relationship was maintained for five years, when Mr. Gilbert disposed of his interest and through the two succeeding years carried on merchandising alone. At the end of that time he merged his store into another mercantile establishment and continued in the same line of business with H. B. Sturtevant and F. D. Hopkins, this partnership existing for five or six years, during which time the firm enjoyed a profitable and growing patronage. At the end of that time Mr. Hopkins withdrew and the firm of Gilbert & Sturtevant then carried on the business until fifteen years had passed when Mr. Gilbert purchased the interest of his partner, who then retired from mercantile life. The subject has since been alone in the conduct of a business, which has now assumed important and extensive proportions. He carries a large and well selected stock of goods and his annual sales amount to a considerable figure. He is reliable in his trade transactions, is courteous in his treatment of his customers and his earnest desire to please has brought him a large patronage. In Hanover township, Wexford county, Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Fox, a native of New York, and a daughter of Jeremiah and ------- (Clark) Fox. Her father was one of the honored pioneer settlers of Wexford county, casting in his lot with the early residents when the era of improvement was just dawning here. He died in Sherman township after reaching the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten-a worthy citizen whose loss was deeply regretted. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert are the parents of two children, Myrtle and Ione, the former now the wife of C. C. Slemons. The parents are active and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and their aid and influence have been very helpful and beneficial in strengthening the church and promoting its success. Mr. Gilbert has also been a co-operant factor in many movements for the general good, his assistance being withheld from no measure which he believes will prove of benefit to his community. Honored and respected in every class of society, he has for some time been a leader in thought and action in the public life of the town and county in which he makes his home. He has long been identified with mercantile interests in Sherman and faithfulness to duty and strict adherence to a fixed purpose in life will do more to advance a man's interests than wealth or advantageous circumstances. A man of distinct and forceful individuality and most mature judgment, he has left and is leaving his impress upon the commercial, social and moral development of the community. |