Benjamin Dungan, the father of this gentleman, was a native of
Bucks County, Penn., and was reared a farmer, which occupation he followed
during his life. When quite a young man, he emigrated to Butler County, Ohio,
where he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Mitchell, and soon
afterward entered a tract of land in Fayette County, Ind, to which he removed
and began the labor of clearing and improving it. In the winter of 1834�35,
he settled in Delaware County, purchasing a farm four miles east of Muncie.
During his residence in this county, his wife died, leaving ten children to
mourn her, namely: Rebecca, Elias, William, Elizabeth, Hester, James, John W.,
Joseph A., Isaac and Benjamin. His second wife was Elizabeth, widow of his
brother, Joseph Dungan, to whom he was married in this county. This union was
blessed by one son�Charles. The mother died in this county in 1848, and, in
1855, the father removed to a farm in Clinton Co., Ind, where he died in
1858.
His son, John W., was born June 2, 1824, in Fayette Co., Ind, and
received a common-school education at the district schools of that county and
Delaware, during brief intervals in the winter. He was subsequently
apprenticed to learn the blacksmith�s trade with Thomas S. Neely, of Muncie,
and, after completing the period of his apprentice ship, at the age of
twenty-three years, entered the public school at Muncie, which he attended
for a few months. In 1845, he began work at his trade in Muncie, and was thus
engaged until 1856, working hard, and by industry and economy, accumulating a
sufficient sum to purchase a home.
In October 1847, he was�united in marriage
with Miss Edith, daughter of William Dragoo, an early settler of this county.
In 1859, he was the Republican candidate for the office of Sheriff of
Delaware County; was elected by a flattering majority, and took charge of the
office in August of the same year, and served four years.
In October 1864, he
enlisted in a company then�being recruited at Muncie,and served until the
close of the war. Returning to his borne in 1865, he resumed work at his
trade, and, in 1873, accepted a position as clerk in the hardware house of
Putnam and Kirby, at Muncie. In this capacity he proved himself a valuable man,
often voluntarily doing more than his share of the work, and establishing a
character for integrity that has clung to him through all his after life. He
continued in the employ of this firm for a period of four years.
In 1877, he
again became the candidate of the Republican Party for the office of Sheriff.�
Having previously served in this capacity for four years, his candidacy was
no experiment, and, in casting their ballots for him the citizens of this
county knew that they were selecting a loyal, noble and true man for the
position, and one who,by eminent fitness, was entitled to the honor and
emoluments of the office. At the ensuing election, they indorsed his former
administration by a large majority, and he is still serving in the capacity
to which he was then elected. In the discharge of his official duties, he has
proved himself an efficient and vigilant officer, and, by his faithful
attention to these duties, has established a clear record and an enviable
reputation as a public officer. In social and private life, he has endeared
himself to all who know him, by his noble traits and the readiness with which
he often sacrifices his own convenience to administer to the comfort of
others.� It was said of him, by one who knows him well: No better-hearted man
ever lived.
Since the year 1858, he has been a member of Muncie Lodge, No. 74, I. O. O. F.,
in which he is a Past Grand, and, since 1876, has been an active member of
Delaware Lodge A. F. and A. M., in which he has attained to the degree of Master
Mason. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as is also his wife.
His wedded life was blessed by nine children, two of whom, Willie and
Cornelia, are deceased. George E. married Miss Ida Keller, and resides in
Muncie; Leonidas, married to Miss Luella Staker, also resides in this
city; Walter married Miss Rose Hutchinson, and acts as Deputy for his father;
Caroline, Jessie F., Nettie and Harry E. reside at home with their parents. (Page 213)
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The gentleman whose life forms the subject of this biographical notice is a
native of the county whose citizens have called him to the responsible
position he now holds. His father, Robert Gibson, was a native of Scioto
County, Ohio, where he was reared on a farm. He came to Delaware County when
quite a young man, and entered a tract of land in Monroe Township, where he
married Miss Heaton, who bore him three children�Lydia, Taylor and Amelia, of
whom the latter is the only survivor. The father was an industrious, honest
farmer, and an active participant in the scenes of pioneer life, which were
enacted in Monroe Township. Having cleared his farm, he continued to
cultivate it until his decease, in the year 1857. His first wife died in 1840
or 1841, after which he was married to Miss Nancy Davis, the mother of
William, Mary, Borter and Samuel. Death bereaved him of her companionship in
1844, and two-years later he gave his hand in marriage to Mary Chessman who
survives him.
Samuel, the subject of this sketch, was born August 26, 1843,
in Monroe Township, Delaware Co., Ind, and passed the days of his boyhood and
youth assisting his father on the home farm until the latter was called away
by death, He then found a home with his uncle, Borter Gibson, working on the
farm, and attending the district school during the winter. Subsequently he
accepted a similar position with Thomas Madden, in Center Township, and one
year later entered the employ of Parker Moore, with whom he remained for five
years. During these engagements his only opportunities for acquiring an
education, were such as the common schools of that day afforded, and the
period during which these limited privileges were enjoyed was two or three
months each winter. Diligent study in leisure hours and subsequent experience
with the world added to the foundation thus laid, and gave him a fund of
knowledge, comprehensive and practical.
February 22,1864, he enlisted as a
private soldier in Company K, Nineteenth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. At the
battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, he received a gunshot wound in the
chest, and was confined to the hospital until the following August. He then
rejoined his regiment, and participated in the capture of the Weldon
Railroad, at the battle of Yellow House, August 25, 1864, and the next day
was taken sick, and was returned to the hospital, where he remained until the
15th of March following. He was then with his regiment until the close of the
war, and was present at the surrender of Lee at Appomattox.
In February 1866,
he was united in marriage to Miss Nancy E., daughter of John and Harriet
Smith, of Center Township. He remained with his father-in-law for a year and
a half, and, at the end of that time, removed to La Suenr County, Minn, where
he was engaged for two years in the pursuit of farming, and subsequently in
the sale of merchandise and grain. Returning to Muncie in 1872, he accepted a
clerkship in the boot and shoe store of G. S. Maddy, and six months later,
accepted a similar position with the dry goods firm of Bratton, Wilson and
Co.
At the county convention of 1876, he was nominated by the Republicans for
the office of Treasurer of Delaware County and the people, many of whom had
known him from boyhood, paid a just tribute to him by confirming his
nomination at the polls, and electing him to the office by a majority of 420
votes. At the expiration of his first term�in 1878�he was nominated a second
time, and the ability, efficiency and fidelity to trust which had
characterized his administration of the office, met a hearty approval, and he
was again elected with a majority of 871. He has transacted the duties of his
office with dignity and with an unassuming simplicity quite in harmony with
"his nature; and when he surrenders" the office to his recently elected
successor, it will be with a pure record, and the good wishes of all with
whom he has been associated will follow him and extend to any pursuit in
which he may engage.
He was reared by pious parents, and surrounded with good
influences in early life; and as his mind developed, the spiritual nature
developed proportionally. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, of
which both himself and wife are active and consistent members. Their home is
made happy by four bright, promising children�Frank S., Hattie I., Annie L.
and Earl V. (Page 214)
Mr. Gilbert was a prominent member of the pioneer community, who settled at
Muncie, and, in the subsequent improvement of the town and county, he was
always actively interested. His father, Othonial Gilbert, who was of English
descent, settled in Ontario County, New York, where he married Miss Elizabeth
Watt, a lady of Scotch antecedents, about the year 1794 or 1795. The fruits
of this union were six children, named, respectively, Azuba, Betsey, John
Alsop, Sewel, Polly and Othonial. John Alsop, the third child and eldest son,
was born at Bristol, Ontario Co., N. Y., October 22, 1799. When but five years
of age, he lost his father by death, and was taken by his uncle, Jedithan
Gilbert, to his home at Hague, N. Y., with whom he continued to reside until
after he attained his majority, receiving, in the meantime, a good English
education. While residing at the town of Hague, his uncle was engaged in the
lumber trade, transporting large quantities of lumber every year as far as
Albany. He removed to Washington County, New York while the subject of this
biography was yet a small boy, and it was here that the latter received the
larger part of his education and grew to manhood.
In October 1823, Mr.
Gilbert was united in marriage to Miss Mahala Potter, in Washington County,
New York, and subsequently removed with his wife to Erie County, in the same
State. He had acquired knowledge of the cooper�s trade, and, after his�removal
to the last-named point, he carried on this trade in connection with farming.
He was thus engaged until 1836, when he decided to seek a home in the West.
Goldsmith C. Gilbert, his half-uncle, had settled here a number of years
previously, and this fact, perhaps, had some influence upon his decision; for
it was to Muncie that he directed his course after deciding
to leave his home in the East. He arrived at Muncie in June 1886, and, in the
fall of that year, rented the mill of Goldsmith C. Gilbert, which he operated
successfully for about two years.� He then engaged in the cooper�s trade at
Muncie, supplying barrels for Hunter & Co., who were extensively engaged in
pork packing. He purchased a farm west of Muncie, which he cultivated
successfully, in addition to his labors in town.
Throughout his life, he his
dealings, and never willfully wronged a fellowman to the value of a cent. He
was regarded as one of the best citizens of the county at the time in which
he lived, and was identified with its interests and improvements for a
period of thirty-two years.
In 1838, he was elected Justice of the Peace, and,
in the following year, was elected Associate Judge of Delaware County. After
his retirement from this office he was again elected Justice of the Peace,
serving for several years. While serving in this capacity, he always
endeavored to restore peace and good feeling between litigants, and
often-adjusted cases thus, while quietly sitting in his house or shop,
without having them come to trial at all. He lost his fees, of course, but be
did not care. The satisfaction of having done a good deed was an ample reward
to him.�
He was a man of vigorous physique, and, up to the day of his death,
pursued his daily labor, uninterrupted by any premonition of his speedy
demise. He died suddenly on Monday morning, June 1, 1868, leaving a wife and
four children. A city paper, in an obituary article, contained the following
tribute to his memory: He was widely known�through out this community, and
respected by all who knew him. Honest, upright, enterprising and frugal, he
was an example worthy of imitation by all young men. His integrity and fair
dealing were above suspicion, and no one bore a more unsullied character. He
was thoroughly identified with the interests of Muncie, which he had made his
home for so many years, and quietly accomplished much in advancing her
prosperity.�Mr. Gilbert was twice married. His first wife died in January
1854, leaving three children, viz.: Elizabeth, now the wife of Volney
Willson; Othonial, who sacrificed an arm in defense of the Union cause,and
now resides at Muncie; and Thomas H. who is now engaged in farming west of
Muncie.� In April 1857 he was wedded to Mrs. Phoebe Potter��who still
survives. One son, John Volney, blessed this second union.� While Mr. Gilbert
was not identified with any religious organization, his life was exemplary of
Christian principles. He practiced the "golden rule" in his daily life, and
never intentionally gave�pain or offense. He was known and honored through
out the county, and his remains were followed to their last repose by a sad
concourse of citizens, and the pioneers with whom he was associated in other
days. (Page 216)
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