My Genealogy Hound

JOHN G. GILBERT, deceased, former hotel proprietor of Pottstown, was a native of that borough. He was born January 8, 1864, and is the son of Jesse B. and Levina (Guldin) Gilbert.

Jesse B. Gilbert (father) was engaged in the express business for many years. Mrs. Gilbert died in 1884, aged fifty-six years. He survived her several years, dying in 1896, aged sixty-six years. Both were buried at the old Pottstowm cemetery. In politics, Mr. Gilbert was a Democrat and served as a member of the town council, He was an influential man in Pottstown and was respected by the whole community. Mr. Gilbert was a candidate on one occasion for prothonotary, He was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran church, as were his family. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert had the following children: Andora, Ambrose and Henrietta Esto are deceased; Jeremiah, married Ida Fillman and they reside at 120 North Washington street, Pottstown, where he is engaged in the undertaking business; Jacob, unmarried, living at the American House, Pottstown, where he is engaged in business; Clare married John Sassaman, and is living in Reading, where he is engaged as a driver, and they have one child; Harry, residing in Pottstown, where he is engaged in. business at the Montgomery House, married Rae Dignon and they have three children; Edward is married and lives on Walnut street, Pottstown, where he is engaged in business at the Montgomery House, having two children.

John Gilbert (grandfather), resided in or near Gilbertsville, where he was a blacksmith by occupation.

John G. Gilbert attended school until he was about fourteen years of age. He then worked for his father for some time, and later in the iron industries of Pottstown, until he was about twenty-one years of age. He then followed professional ball playing and roller skating for about twelve years. He next bought the Central House, at Boyertown, Berks county, where he conducted the hotel business for one year and two months, and then purchased his last hotel, then known as Sellingers, but it became known as the Gilbert Hotel and Cafe, where he conducted business very prosperously for a dozen years. He recently renovated his place of business, and it is one of the finest hotels in Montgomery county.

Mr. Gilbert married Ida S., daughter of William and Elizabeth (Reppert) Dellicker, of near Hill Church, where they were engaged in farming, but later removed to Pottstown where Mr. Dellicker conducted a grocery business. He died about six years ago, and was buried in Mt. Zion cemetery. Mrs. Dellicker lives on Beech street. They had several children.

Mr. and Mrs. John G. Gilbert were married March 17, 1888. They have had four children, of whom three survive, as follows: Clara, born July 21, 1889; Jennie, born March 26, 1891; Jesse, born May 27, 1893; Charles, born January 2, 1892, died February 15, 1897.

Mr. Gilbert was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, belonging to Manatawny Lodge No. 214, of Pottstown, and Encampment No. 85; to Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 421, also of the Fraternal order of Eagles, of Reading Lodge, No. 66. In religious faith Mr. Gilbert was a member of the Emmanuel Lutheran church. He died November 12, 1903.