Representative William Northrup Gilbert View All Years

HON. W. N. GILBERT

MR SPEAKER—Your committee appointed to prepare resolution commemorating the life, character and public service of W. N. Gilbert, a member of the Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh General Assemblies, beg leave to submit the following report:

William Northrup Gilbert was born in New Milford, Conn., March 20, 1850, but when he was only six years old his parents came west to settle on a farm near Ashton, Ill., in 1856. He lived and worked on this farm until he was 22 years old. That farm experience, into which was woven every struggle and achievement that comes to the farmer, gave him for all his remaining years an interest in and a sympathy with farming that made him useful in this farming community as a business man and as a banker.

When Mr. Gilbert was 22 years old he left the farm to go into the general mercantile business in Mt. Morris, Ill., under the firm name of Gilbert & King, continued here for six years until in October, 1878, he came to State Center with his brother, H. M. Gilbert, to establish a dry goods store under the firm name of Gilbert Bros. For 23 years Mr. Gilbert carried on this business, the last five years alone, for his brother retired from the firm in 1886. In 1901 W. N. Gilbert disposed of his business and then was influential in organizing the banking establishment with which he was identified until his death.

Soon after the organization of this new bank, Mr. Gilbert succeeded to its presidency. It was first known as the Bank of State Center, but later it was organized as the Central State Bank, Mr. Gilbert continuing as its president. Mr. Gilbert’s experience as a farmer and then as a merchant gave him a preparation for banking that made his business skill, his understanding and his judgment of rare value to the bank and throughout its history it has served the community the better for that.

Mr. Gilbert’s interest in public welfare began with his arrival at State Center. He had a wholesome interest in religion and served as a member of the official board of the Methodist Episcopal church from the very first year of his going to State Center. For fifteen years he served as superintendent of its Sunday School. In every enterprise of the church he was active in one way or another. He was an organizer of the State Center Chautauqua Association and served as its first president, continuing in that position for a number of years. He gave much time to public school affairs, as a member of the board of education at different times and as treasurer. Repeatedly when called on to serve the municipality, he gave himself to the work of a councilman or as a city treasurer. In manifold voluntary activities for public good, he served on committees and board. He gave as freely of his time to public good as he did to his own private interest, and sometimes more. Throughout this record of service he could be found on the side which to him seemed to promise the best for public welfare.

Mr. Gilbert’s work in the legislature was marked by a conscientious and sincere effort to apply the rule of the greatest good for the greatest number. He gave most earnest consideration to the larger public measures, and as a result he was frequently consulted and his advice accepted. He took an active part in the consideration of the war measures before the Thirty-seventh General Assembly and his sound judgment was reflected in the enactments along this line in that session of the assembly. He served with honor and distinction to his constituency and with credit to the commonwealth.

On February 6, 1879, Mr. Gilbert was married to Miss Florence Brayton of Mt. Morris, who survives him. To them four sons were born, two of them dying in infancy. The elder son, Harold B., is located at Yakima, Washington, and the younger, Frederick B., a member of the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth General Assemblies from Marshall County, is an attorney at State Center.

When Taps is sounded and the last word said

When he has but a memory become

When Fate for him has clipped life’s tangled thread

Releasing him for home.

The Gentleman from Marshall answers “here”

As roll is called upon the farther shore

Accepts the duties of that wider sphere

His petty tasks are o’er.

Now may we pause to drop a silent tear

In memory to him who fell asleep

To earthly cares and duties who this year

Has passed the boundless deep.

Presuming not with fate to interfere

But darkly groping as mankind must grope

Who seek expectant through the veil to peer

And firmly grasp on hope.

That Hope which clears the clouds of pain and doubt

Sustains our courage even down to death

Which may from constant usage ne’er give out

But blossoms forth as Faith.

Where’er men work do Hope and Faith exist

Where’er men grow these mightly forces move

Their union leaves no room for noisome mist

Their fruit is known as Love.

With Hope and Faith and Love we dedicate

This hour to those whom we no more may meet

But Hope through Faith that Love may earn this Fate

Some day their souls to greet.

And shall we Hope and Faith and Love reserve

Until our friends have passed beyond our reach

Or may our sense of loss and longing serve

This wholesome truth to teach?

Hope is the lawful heritage of youth

Withhold not Faith from Manhood’s term of strife

And with the snows of age shall come in truth

A love which crowns our life.

E. A. GRIMWOOD,

FRANK C. LAKE,

JOHN T. HANSEN,

Committee

Adopted April 12, 1923.