Pueblo County, Colorado
George Gilbert

Contributed by Jean Griesan.

George Gilbert. The state of Colorado owes its high standing among the sovereign commonwealths that make up the United States to the high character and dauntless spirit of the settlers who made their homes within her borders in the early days. To their inspiration and work is due her wonderful progress in agriculture, manufacturing and the arts. They opened the mines, cleared away the forests and established churches and schools, laying the foundations for the grand institutions of philanthrophy and learning which are the glory of the state at the present day. Among these brave and far-sighted pioneers is Mr. Gilbert, whose homestead near Boone, Pueblo County, was the third filed in the state. At that time there were no railroads or other improvements in this region; Denver was a small town; Pueblo contained but three houses, and Colorado Springs and Leadville had not yet been dreamed of.

He was born in Ontario County, N. Y., in 1836, was educated in its public schools and spent the first fifteen years of his life there. He then accompanied his father, Mathew Gilbert, who removed to Milwaukee, Wis., and there remained ten years, being engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1860, at the age of twenty-four years, our subject came to Colorado, at first locating in Denver, and in 1861 removed to Colorado Gulch, near Leadville, where he engaged in mining during the winter. The following winter was spent at Fountain, but since 1863 he has made his home upon his present ranch in Pueblo County. Here he has erected a fine residence, large barns and substantial outbuildings, and laid out ditches. He is engaged in general farming, stock-raising and fruit-growing, and has met with excellent success in his undertakings. Everything about his place is kept in excellent repair, and his is one of the most desirable ranches in the county.

In 1866 Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage with Miss Georgiana Clark, who died leaving two children, a son and daughter, Frank and Effie, both at home. For his second wife he married Mrs. Thompson, of Iowa, a sister of James F. Zediker, a prominent man of Nebraska. She is also a relative of President McKinley, his grandfather and her maternal grandfather being brothers.

The Republican party has always found in Mr. Gilbert an ardent supporter of its principles, but he has never cared for official honors, preferring to give his entire time and attention to his business interests. The prosperity that has come to him has been obtained through his own well-directed efforts, and his life has ever been such as to commend him to the confidence and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact, either in business or social life. His wife is a most estimable lady, and they have a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

Extracted from "Portrait and Biographical Record of the State of Colorado," published by Chapman Publishing Company in Chicago in 1899.


Contributed by Jean Griesan.

Gilbert, George (arrived in Colorado in 1860)

George Gilbert was born in Ontario County, New York, in 1836, a son of Mathew Gilbert. He was educated in the public schools and spent the first 15 years of his life in Ontario County. [The family] removed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and there remained 10 years, engaged in agricultural pursuits.

At the age of 24 years, in 1860, he came to Colorado at first locating in Denver. In 1861 he went to California Gulch near Leadville where he engaged in mining during the winter. The following winter was spent at Fountain.

Since 1863 he has made his home upon his ranch in Pueblo County. Here he has erected a fine residence, large barns, and substantial out-buildings. He has laid out ditches, engaged in general farming, stock raising, and fruit growing.

In 1866 Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage with Miss Georgiana Clark who died, leaving two children, a son and a daughter, Frank and Effie.

For his second wife he married Mrs. Thompson of Iowa, a sister of James F. Zediker, a prominent man of Nebraska. She was also a relative of President William McKinley [1843-1901], his grandfather and her maternal grandfather being brothers.

Extracted from "The Real Pioneers of Colorado," by Maria Davies McGrath, published in 1934 by The Denver Museum, retyped with added notes by Jane P. Ohl, in October 2001.



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