My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM J. GILBERT. Well known among the citizens of Coplay is the popular ticket and freight agent at this place, who is also agent for the United States Express Company. His entire life has been passed in the Keystone State, of which his ancestors for several generations were residents, and with the development of which the family has long been intimately connected. Now in the prime of life, he has worked his way upward to his present responsible position, and has gained the respect of his large circle of acquaintances.

The subject of this notice was born in Catasauqua, Pa., March 27, 1855, being a son of Augustus H. and Rebecca (Biery) Gilbert, natives respectively of Northampton County and Catasauqua, Pa. While little definite information can be obtained concerning the ancestral history, it is supposed that the Gilbert family originated in England, while the maternal progenitors were of German stock. Augustus H. Gilbert was for many years bookkeeper for the Lehigh Car Wheel and Axle Works at Catasauqua, where his death occurred September 14, 1886. His widow is still living, and makes her home in Allentown.

The rudiments of his education our subject obtained in the common schools of Catasauqua, after which he was for two years a student in Union Seminary, at New Berlin, Pa. In the spring of 1873 he entered upon his active business career, becoming at that time connected with the Lehigh Valley Railway Company at Fullerton, Pa. After several years spent in that place he returned to Catasauqua, where he secured a position as freight clerk for the Lehigh Valley Railroad, remaining thus employed for three years. The year 1881 witnessed his arrival in Coplay, where he has since filled the position of ticket and freight agent.

More than ordinary interest has been taken by Mr. Gilbert in educational matters, and he is at present serving as School Director in Coplay. He bears an honorable reputation among his neighbors and fellow-citizens, and is regarded as a man of great capability, who has contributed his quota to promote the growth of the village, and has aided in elevating the social and moral status of the community. Politically he always votes the Republican ticket. He and his wife are connected with the Lutheran Church, and are regular attendants at its services. As an intelligent and progressive man he receives the regard and respect of his associates.