Bio: Gilbert, John B. (1914)

Contact: Crystal Wendt.

----Surnames: Gilbert, Sosted, Johnson, Nelson, Hagen, Peterson, Hoven

----Source: History of Eau Claire County Wisconsin (1914) pages 716-717

John B. Gilbert, traveling salesman and expert for the Independent Harvester Company, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, was born in Eau Claire, February 9, 1882. His parents, Andrew and Inga (Sosted) Gilbert, were both born in Norway. His father came to the United States in 1868, and first located at Detroit, Michigan. He later moved to Chicago, Illinois, and during his residence there, passed through the great fire of 1871, and in this connection we might add that Mr. Gilbert has now in his possession a much cherished relic in the shape of a china cup which he saved from this conflagration, and which he later saved from the burning of his home in the town of Brunswick, this county, some years ago. In the late '70's, he came to Eau Claire and entered the employ of the Valley Lumber Company, remaining with this firm until the Fall of 1884, when he purchased a farm of 160 acres in the town of Brunswick, cleared and improved a part of it, erected a new dwelling and there made his home until 1901, when he disposed of his interests and moved to Chippewa county where he subsequently purchased another tract of 160 acres in the town of Wheaton where he now resides. His family consisted of eight children, as follows: Anna, wife of John F. Johnson; John B.; Carl E., deceased; Arthur G., Lloyd E.; William S.; Mabel and Florence.

John B. was raised on the homestead farm in Brunswick township and there attended the common schools. In 1903 he entered the employ of the International Harvester Company as an expert and traveling salesman with whom he was associated for eleven years. In the winter of 1914 he severed his connection with the above company and accepted a similar position with the Independent Harvester Company, of Minneapolis, a position he still retains.

Mr. Gilbert has been twice married, his first wife was Olga Elsie, daughter of Peter and Anna (Nelson) Hagen, of Eau Claire, by whom he had two children, viz.: Survivus and Marie Bertha. His present wife was Hilda Peterson, daughter of Ole and Rena Hoven Peterson, of Colfax. Wisconsin. Mrs. Gilbert is a member of the Lutheran church, while Mr. Gilbert holds membership in the I. S. W. A., the Eau Claire Gun Club and the I. C. M. A.