56 STATE rOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Clinton county. The announcement of liis death did not surprise us. IIo was 

 ail old man fall of years and of honors, and after a long life of usefulness he 

 goes to his rest, leaving behind a long roll of friends wiio mourn his loss, while 

 they admire his honorable course of life, illustrated as it was with so many of 

 the virtues that dignify an ui)right manhood. He was one of the most honored 

 members of our society, his kindly, genial face was always hailed with a hearty 

 ■welcome at our fairs. Xo better fruit grower (especially of apples), was there 

 anywhere. His exhibits were always beautiful, and always commanded the 

 admiration of judges as well as of spectators at the fairs. I first met him at 

 Grand Kapids in 1873, again in 187-i, at East Saginaw, where his fruit was 

 ■wonderfully fair, solid and showy. lie was always pleasant, had a good" kind 

 word for us all, and his greeting was that of a father blessing his children. In 

 1874 I said to him, 'Mr. Gilbert, we hope to meet you again next year.' 'Ah, 

 my friend,' said he, 'I doubt it, I am an old man. My days for fairs and 

 shows are over. I think this is my last State Fair,' and the tears started from 

 the old man's eyes, 'but,' said he, 'friend Thompson, don't forget to send me 

 the life membership certificate to which I am entitled, for I always want to 

 help the society a little every year, living or dead.' In 1875 I looked for the 

 large display usually made by our old and loved friend Gilbert, but it was not 

 there. He brought a few plates, and said : 'My friend, I could not keep away, 

 I wanted to see you all; but it is my last State Fair.' He spoke solemnly but 

 truly. "We looked to see his white locks at Jackson in '76, but he did not 

 come. And the veteran and pioneer fruit grower is dead, but his memory liveth 

 and should live in our society. The fragrance of the orchard when in bloom 

 surrounds the life and death of John Gilbert." 



"Another pioneer of the State, a life member of our society, has passed on 

 to the otlier more glorious life, and we should cherisli his menory, for he was a 

 good friend of ours, as he was a good friend to all similar enterprises. Judge 

 Munroe, of South Haven, saw Van Burcn county when it was a wilderness, and 

 lived long enough to see it blossoming like the rose. He was a man who was a 

 part of all this growth, progress, and improvement. I met him first at the 

 meeting in Soutli Haven, when he came forward, quietly and privately, saying : 

 •Here is ten dollars; that makes a life member; I want to help your society, 

 for I have tried to help them all, and yours is the youngest. I believe in them 

 all. I want to see them all sustained. I am an old man and cannot work 

 much, but I want to belong to your society.' Judge Munroe was, also, one of 

 the first members of the State Agricultural Society. In 1849 he attended the 

 first meeting, at Detroit, to perfect measures for the first State fair held in the 

 State, and I learn from our Brother Holmes that it was Judge Munroe who first 

 proposed the business committee of that society. Said he to Secretary Holmes : 

 * It is not convenient for our western members to come to Detroit every time 

 you want a meeting; now appoint a committee to arrange and provide for the 

 fair.' It was so ordered, and this committee was called the ' business com- 

 mittee.' He was first and foremost in many good works, and no man was more 

 honored and respected in Van Buren county. 



"South of Van Burcn county, at IVilcs, we have lost another friend. Wm. 

 Bort was a man of great proficiency as a horticulturist in its broadest sense. 

 Though of local and provincial reputation, our State has possessed but few who 

 could equal him in his professional attainments. He Avas a plant-grower of 

 rare skill. He did much to create a taste for fruit culture in Berrien county. 

 He died in the })rime of manhood, lamented by the entire community among 



