Gilbert C. Samuelson

As printed in 1910

GILBERT C. SAMUELSON.

Gilbert C. Samuelson, a farmer and stock raiser, feeder and shipper of Osco township, who owns forty acres on section 17, while he also operates his father's place of two hundred and forty acres, in the same township, was born in Western township, February 5, 1869, his parents being James and Clara (Manguson) Samuelson. When he was about six years old his father sold his farm in Western township and purchased the land on which he lives today for sixty-five dollars an acre. Here Gilbert C. Samuelson grew to manhood, being about fourteen when in 1882 his mother died. In 1897 his father moved to Cambridge, leaving his son in charge of the farm which he had assisted in tilling from his boyhood days. His daughter, Mabel, the only other child born to him and his wife, accompanied him to Cambridge and gives him the comforts of a home which can be obtained only through a woman's presence. From his own farm and the tract belonging to his father which he operates, Gilbert C. Samuelson has won a large return for his many hours of hard labor. Familiar as he has been with the nature of the soil from his earliest years, he has had but to cultivate it by the most approved methods to obtain the large harvests which are his pride. In addition to the raising of cereals, however, he has devoted a great deal of time to the stock business, making shipments annually to the important markets. His industry has been the measure of his success and he finds that each year makes a gratifying increase to the income that he derives from his labors.

Mr. Samuelson has been married twice. On the 12th of December, 1894, he wedded Miss Dora L. Johnson, who was born and reared in Lynn township, Henry county, her parents being George H. and Anna (Bergstrom) Johnson. Of this union were two children born: Grace, whose birth occurred in Clover township, and Herbert, born on the home farm in Osco township. Mrs. Samuelson passed away June 28, 1902. On the 6th of September, 1905, Mr. Samuelson married again, his second wife being Miss Carrie Baird. She was born in Portland, Indiana, March 5, 1884, and is a daughter of Charles and Emma (Dull) Baird. Mr. Baird, who passed away January 5, 1907, in Munson township, after a two weeks' illness that resulted in inflammation of the brain and paralysis, was born in that township, January 9, 1857. He graduated from the classical department of the schools of Valparaiso, Indiana, with the class of 1883. After the completion of his education he devoted several years to teaching school. First he had charge of the department of mathematics in the schools of Portland, Indiana, being assisted by his wife, and then upon resigning this position he went to the business college in Helena, Montana, where he taught mathematics, penmanship and commercial law. This he also resigned after a considerable length of time, to accept a responsible and more lucrative position in the office of the Rocky Mountain division of the Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1891 he returned to Henry county to become instructor in the business department of the Geneseo Collegiate Institute, fulfilling his duties in that capacity for about eleven years. Five years before his death he retired to a farm in Munson township on which he lived with his family the remaining years of his life.

Immediately after his graduation he wedded Miss Emma Reese Dull, of Hamlet, Indiana, and of their union were born three children: Carrie Reese, who is now Mrs. Samuelson; Charles Glen, the only son; and Nellie Merle who was the youngest. These with his widow still survive. Mr. Baird possessed many noble qualities of head and heart. As a husband and father he was loving and loved; as a friend he was loyal, sincere and unchangeable; and believing in the promises of God he lived and died a Christian. Men and women were the better for his life and when his race was over he was deeply mourned by all who had occasion to know him.

Mr. Samuelson has always allied himself with the republican party, but although he has served as school trustee and director for a number of years he is not an aspirant for public office. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee, while of the Sunday-school since its organization, Mrs. Samuelson has been superintendent. Fraternally he enjoys most pleasant relations with the camp of the Modem Woodmen of America at Osco, and both Mr. and Mrs. Samuelson belong to the Royal Neighbors, Mrs. Samuelson having been chosen receiver of the local camp.

As printed in History of Henry County, Illinois (1910). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.