The subject of this sketch was born in Harring- 

 ton, Litchfield Co., Conn., in the year 1805, Aug. 

 10. His parents were natives of Connecticut also, 

 and removed to this State (l^ew York), and located 

 at Laurens, Otsego Co., when he was a child. They 

 remained in that county about twelve years, and 

 then removed to Guilford, Chenango Co. 



William D. remained with his parents until his 

 majority, assisting them in various kinds of business, 

 such as farming, blacks mi thing, and lumbering. He 

 received a common school and academic education 

 at Oxford Academy. Mr. Gilbert remained in Guil- 

 ford until 1845, engaged in the mercantile trade and 

 blacksmithing. 



In 1846 he located at Corning, Steuben Co., and 

 engaged in the manufacture of car springs for one 

 Judson Mallory, now deceased. In 1849 he settled 

 in Caton, and opened the first store in said town ; 

 continued in the mercantile trade until April 1, 

 1875, when he retired from business. 



He has held many official positions, to the general 

 satisfaction of his constituents. He has been post- 

 master for twenty-five years, justice of the peace 



eighteen years, supervisor a number of years, and 

 justice of sessions for three terms. 



His present family consists of a wife and two sons. 

 The oldest son, Rufus H., was born in Guilford, 

 Chenango Co., N. Y., Jan. 26, 1832. He was edu- 

 cated a physician and surgeon, and graduated at the 

 New York Medical College ; entered his profession 

 in said city, and continued to practice until the Re- 

 bellion, when he entered the army as physician and 

 surgeon of a regiment. He was for some time on 

 General Dix's staff, and was appointed medical direc- 

 tor at Fort Monroe. He remained in the service 

 until the close of the war, when he became con- 

 nected with the Central Railroad in New Jersey. 

 He then became engaged in the elevated railroad 

 of the city of New York. He obtained a charter 

 from the Legislature of this State for the road; 

 said road is known as '^The Gilbert Elevated and 

 Rapid Transit Road of the City of New York,' 

 named in honor of its renowned projector. Mr. 

 Gilbert is now engaged in that business. The second 

 son, Wm. H. Gilbert, is now a medical student at 

 Ann Arbor, Mich. 



