Zina Gilbert, one of the representative and leading citizens of Rock County, who is now living a retired life in Milton Junction, is a native of the Empire State, having been born in Otsego County, March 17, 1801. The days of his boyhood and youth were spent in his native county, and his education was received in the common schools. In 1819, when eighteen years of age he left Otsego county and became a resident of Allegany County, where he made his home for about twenty-nine years. In early life he learned the cooper's trade which he followed for a livelihood in New York, and also worked at it for some time after becoming a resident of Wisconsin. He also owned a farm in Allegany County, which is situated in the oil regions.
On arriving at man's estate, Mr. Gilbert was united in marriage with Miss Prudence Fuller, their wedding being celebrated in 1826. The lady was born in New York, and they became the parents of eight children - Lucina, the eldest of the family, makes her home with her brother in Milton; Clarinda, who became the wife of a Mr. Randolph, now deceased, is living in Dane County, Wis.; Elijah died at the age of thirty years; Philo resides with his sister in Milton; Phedora, who was joined in wedlock with Horace Babcock, died in 1864; Amarilla, who became the wife of Henry Williams, who lives at Milton Junction, died in March, 1881; Phoebe C., is a resident of Milton; Sumner married Miss Emma Oviate and had five children, three of whom are living.
Mr. Gilbert left his home in the East and came to Wisconsin in 1848, casting his lot with the early settlers of Dane County. As before stated, he worked at coopering for some time, and also embarked in farming, which occupation he followed until his retirement from active life. He became a leading citizen of the community in which he resided and was honored for his strict integrity and uprightness of character. He was the choice of his fellow citizens for various local offices of trust. For several years he filled the position of Town Treasurer, for one year acted as Township Clerk, and was also elected and served as Superintendent of Schools, and served eight years as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. He discharged his official duties with the same promptness and fidelity which marks all his intercourse with his fellow men, and proved an able and efficient officer, though he has ever taken an active interest in political affairs. He cast his first Presidential vote for John Quincy Adams in 1824, and in 1840, deposited a ballot for William Henry Harrison, the candidate of the Whig party, with which he affiliated until its dissolution. An abolitionist in principle, when the Republican party was formed to prevent the further extension of slavery, he joined its ranks and from that time has never failed to cast a vote for its candidates, his last ballot up to the present time, having been deposited for Hon. Benjamin Harrison, who now holds the highest position within the gift of the American people. In the days of his early manhood, while residing in Allegany County, N.Y., Mr. Gilbert became a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church. Almost from the beginning he has filled the office of Deacon and has borne a prominent part in the church. He now holds membership with the church at Milton Junction, where he has lived since 1880. He has long since passed the allotted three score years and then, but notwithstanding his advanced age, he still has possession of his mental and physical faculties to a remarkable degree. He can now look back over a well spent life passed in the service of his Master with no regret for the years that have come and gone, and as he looks forward to the future, his faith grows stronger. The greatest sorrow of his life came upon him at the death of his loving wife, at their home in Dane County, in 1868. As a neighbor and friend, Mr. Gilbert is kind and accommodating; as a citizen he is true and loyal; as a father, loving and tender; and as a Christian, consistent and faithful.
