Michael Gilbert, Jr. of Leeds Grammar School for Boys

Rev. Michael Gilbert, Jr., was born 07 February 1642, at Aldborough, Yorkshire, England, the son of Michael Gilbert, Sr. and Mary (Cooleston) Gilbert.  He was accepted into Christ's College, Cambridge at the age of 16, receiving his B.A. in 1661 and an M.A degree in 1665.  In May of 1662 he was made deacon in Lincoln, and ordained a priest at York later in the year.  He was appointed headmaster of the Leeds Grammar School for Boys (founded in 1552) in 1662, and held that position until 1690.  The curriculum of the school was most likely confined to Latin and Greek, probably including a study of the Vulgate and Greek Testament.  Part of the duties of the Head Master was to collect rents on all the lands owned by the School on condition that he paid the Usher and officials, kept the building in repair and handed to the Committee (comprised of prominent men of the town and chaired by the Vicar) a stated sum for fines (licenses) and other purposes  When Michael became ill and died in 1691 the salaries fell into arrears and the Committee took the management back.

This is a drawing of what the school looked like at the time Michael Gilbert, Jr. was the Head Master.School continued in this same building until 1854 when a new larger school was built.  The school today has grown and is in a newer larger facility and is known as Leeds Grammar School, and is one of the leading grammar schools in the north of England.  Judy Watker, secretary to the current Head Master (2007) wrote in a letter to Larry Gilbert, then of Oskaloosa, Kansas, "I am not sure whether or not Rev. Gilberts would have been pleased to know that from 2008 we will become co-educational--of course, in his day girls wouldn't have been allowed to walk through the door!"

These photos show the building as it looked in 1900, after it was no longer used as a school in 1854 it was sold and turned into a foundry.  Soon after these photos were taken the building was demolished to widen the road.
Michael Gilbert, Jr., was married 01 March 1668 at St. Peter's Church, Leeds, Yorkshire England to Dorothy Hargrave/Hargreaves who was born 28 September 1645 at Holbecke, England the daughter of Adam Hargrave/Hargreaves Sr. and Elizabeth (Muncton) Hargrave/Hargreaves.  Michael and Dorothy lived at New Chapel Road, Leeds close to the school.
Michael Gilbert Jr., died 02 October 1691, at Leeds Yorkshire, England at the age of 49.  He left no will.  Upon his death an Inventory of the Goods and Chattels of Michael Gilbert, Jr., was made by Adam Hargrave, St., his father-in-law, with John Grave, James Dawson and John Dawson.  The larges single item on the list was Michael's Library valued at 20 pounds, 5s, 6d. while his purse and apparel were only valued at 5 pound, 10s.  Other household items listed were about 42 chairs, six of whom were leather, several tables, beds with bedding, dressers, several sets of fireplace tools, brass kettles, brass pots, warming pans, pewter plates and pewter candlesticks.
Dorothy, his wife, died 05 April 1693 at Leeds, Yorkshire, England.
The children of Michael and Dorothy were 1-Michael III, 2-Mary, 3-Robert, 4-Thomas, 5-Garvis and 6-Charles.

Rev. Michael Gilbert, Sr.

At this time, the oldest known Gilbert ancestor in our family is the Reverend Michael Gilbert, Sr., who was born circa 1604 into the reign of King James I of England.  When and where Michael was born plus the identities of his parents are not known at this time.  It is assumed that since Michael was well educated he came from parents of wealth, because in that time period education was for those that could afford to buy it. 
Michael Gilbert, Sr., was admitted to Christ's College, Cambridge, England in 1621.  (Note:  While attending college at Cambridge, Michael was a classmate to Roger Williams, who founded the first Baptist church in America, and the state of Rhode Island.)  There he received his B.A. in 1624 on the visit of King James I of England.  Michael was made deacon by Theophilus (Field) Bishop of St. David's on 09 March 1627 and was ordained priest by him on 01 March 1628.  Shortly after his ordination he was named Vicar of St. Andrew's Church, Aldborough, Boroughbridge Deanery, Yorkshire, and served in this capacity from 1629 to 1677, except for the years 1653 to 1659.  In those years he was ejected from his duties for his beliefs.  Michael's beliefs were with the Royalists an King Charles I.  The opposition was with Oliver Cromwell of whom Michael wrote in the Register of St. Andrew's, "the infamous arch-rebel appointed out of the basest hypocrites and dissenter with God and Man."  Civil war broke out in August 1642.  King Charles I surrendered in 1646, and was beheaded on 30 January 1649.  The Scots were shocked at the execution of Charles I and sent for his young son whom they crowned as Charles II.  The Puritans with Cromwell as the leader were now in control of England.  The government was a Common-wealth, there was to be no King.  Under Cromwell, the Puritans were allowed to worship as they liked and he would not allow the members of the Church of England to meet nor to pray out of their Prayer Book, as the Puritans wanted everyone to be like themselves.  Oliver Cromwell died on 03 September 1658.  Winston Churchill once said, "Cromwell did more damage of England than any Englishman in all of its history."  Upon the death of Oliver Cromwell, his son Richard took control of England.  Richard Cromwell and his Parliament were kicked from power by the soldiers when he refused to allow them to select their own general.  A new Parliament was chosen and Charles II was invited to come home and reign in 1660.  Michael Gilbert was restored as Vicar when Charles II came to the throne at the Restoration of the Monarchy.
Michael Gilbert, Sr. and three Churchwardens misused some charitable funds that had been donated to the poor of the Parish for several years.  A trial was held on 24 March 1669.  The three Churchwardens were directed to pay it all back and as Michael had no money to speak of, the Court appointed a committee to take over all financial activities in the Church.

Photos of St. Andrews Church, Aldborough, England, copyrighted by Colin Hinson, used with permission.

Michael Gilbert, Sr. had been married in 1632 to Mary Cooleston, who was born about 1610 am was from Bradford, Yorkshire, England.  Her parents nor any information on her family is known at this time.  Michael died 10 December 1677 at Aldborough, Yorkshire, England.  Mary died after Michael but the exact date is not known.  They were the parents of 1-Gabriel (1st); 2-Lydia, 3-infant girl, 4-Marie, 5-Gabriel (2nd), 6-Michael Jr., 7-William, 8-Charles, 9-Robert, 10-Joshua, and 11-Gabriel (3rd).

Ole Anderson and Kjersti Bronson

Not exactly Gilbert family members, but they do have a connection to being the ancestors of many Gilbert family members.  Ole and Kjersti were the parents of Mary Jane Anderson who was married to William A. Gilbert.
Ole Anderson was born 06 Aug 1827 at Dahl, Lavik, Sogen, Norway the son of Anders Danielson and his wife Aase (Olsdatter) Danielson.  Ole left his native land and traveled to America on April 1, 1856, first settling in Illinois then moving in about 1859 to Butler County Kansas.  He came to America with two of his brothers, Daniel and Gjert (George).
Kjersti Bronson was born 20 Jun 1827 in Flesburg, Buskerud, Norway the daughter of Gulbrand R. Gullerkson and his wife Meret Solom (Bjornsdatter) Gullerkson.  She came to America with her mother and brothers and sisters, it is assumed at present her father had already died.  They landed in Minnesota before making it to Butler County Kansas around the same time the Anderson's did.  It was there in 1861 that Ole and Kjersti were married.
To clarify some confusion you may be having on the names it was customary in the Scandinavian countries to give a new last name to each generation, naming them after their father.  Ole Anderson was the son of Anders Danielson, so his new last name is comprised of the father's first name Anders and since he is the son it is Anderson, and a daughter is names Andersdatter, datter meaning daughter.  The datter is sometimes shortened to dtr.  Kjersti Bronson in all actuality should have had a maiden name of Gulbrandsdtr, but the family shortened it to just Bronson.  To help distinguish all the Ole Anderson's in the country another name was attached to each person, which was the name of the farm from which they came, so Ole Anderson, Dahl would have distinguished him from say Ole Anderson, Hayanger.
Ole and his brother Daniel soon moved their families to Brown County Kansas, their brother Gjert remained in the southern part of the state settling in Greenwood County, Kansas.  Family stories say the two who moved to Brown County later regretted it as Gjert discovered oil on his property and made lots of money where Ole and Daniel worked hard at farming.
Ole and Daniel settled in the neighborhood of Robinson, Kansas.
Ole and Kjersti (Christina in English) had a family of five children:  Ellen (Mrs. Christian Nicholson); Mary Jane (Mrs. William Gilbert); Sarah Sofia (Mrs. Adolph Peterson); Andrew and Christina.
When the Civil War threatened life in Kansas, Ole enlisted in the Kansas Militia as a Private in Company C., Brown county Battalion Attached to the 22nd Regiment under Capt. Samuel W. Swayze.  He enlisted Sep 15, 1863 at Robinson, was called into active duty on Oct. 14, 1864 at Atchison, served for 20 days and was released from duty Oct. 29, 1864.
In the 1865 Kansas Census taken October 6, 1865 Ole and family are living in Claytonville Township with their post office in Robinson.  The census lists the value of his real estate at $400 and his personal estate at $600.  He had 20 acres of land that was improved 60 acres unimproved, with 20 acres fenced.  HIs farming implements and machinery were valued at $50.  He had 1 horse, 6 milch cows, 2 working oxen, and 9 other cattle, 28 sheep, and 7 swine.  The value of the livestock was given at $300.  As far as harvested crops there were 70 bushels of wheat, 150 bushels of Indian corn, 100 bushels of oats, 10 bushels of Irish potatoes and 14 tons of hay.  They also had on hand 150 pounds of butter, 1 gallon of molasses and a $30 value of animals they had slaughtered.
In September 1879 Ole and Kjersti moved across the county to live four miles south of what later became Fairview, Kansas.  They purchased at that time E 1/2 S.E. Section 21, Township 3, Range 16 containing 240 acres.  It had an estimated value of $8,000.  One half acre orchard, 10 acres tame grass,  1/2 mile hedge.  They had common stock Poland China hogs with their residence located in the N.W. section 21, Township 3, Range 15 and their post office was Comet, Kansas.
In May of 1897 Ole, accompanied by Adolph Peterson (his son-in-law) went to St. Joseph, Missouri.  Ole wanted to consult with Dr. Barton Pitts about his eyes  Dr. Pitts was a well known eye and ear specialist.  He kept Ole for two weeks while he examined his eyes and successfully operated on them.  Three growths were removed from his eyes, one from the right and two from the left eye-ball.  His eye sight was entirely restored.
 In the above photo is Ole Anderson standing on the porch of this house he built.  From the Saturday, October 21, 1893, Fairview Enterprise "Ole Anderson will have one of the nicest and most convenient residents in that part of the county when Tom Epps gets through with the finishing touches."
Kjersti died 24 Sep 1900 and Ole died 27 Jun 1907 and both are buried in the Powhattan, Kansas cemetery.

Gilbert Family Reunion

On July 15, 1864 Mary Jane Anderson was born in Brown County Kansas the daughter of Ole Anderson and his wife Kjersti (Bronson) Anderson.  I had originally thought these two photos were from the gathering of her family to celebrate her birthday in 1940, but in looking at other photos taken in 1940 the women were all wearing different clothes, so this is another birthday in another year.  The family celebrated her birthday together for the first time in 1940 and have been doing so every year since then.  Mary died Feb 17, 1948.

Ezekiel Gilbert Comes To Kansas

My great-great grandparents Ezekiel & Elizabeth "Jane" (McGuire) Gilbert packed up what they owned and moved from Kentucky to what is known today as Brown County, Kansas in about 1859.  Ezekiel was born about 1819 in Madison County, KY and Jane was born 01 Jan 1827 also in Madison County, KY.  Ezekiel was the son of Aquilla Gilbert and Jane Stewart while Jane was the daughter of James Adger McGuire and Nancy Anglin.  Ezekiel and Jane were married 11 September 1848 in Owsley County, Kentucky.  Owsley County was formed from parts of Madison County.
Ezekiel purchased a Military Land Warrant No. 67.661 that was in the name of Egbert Snider, minor child of David Snider, deceased Sargent in Captain Bidgley's company New York/Militia War 1812 on the 8th of April 1959.  The land consisted of 160 acres at a cost of $300.  The legal description of the land was the South East quarter of Section 32 in Township 3 of Range 15 in the District of lands subject to sale at Kickapoo Kansas.  Charles P Snider was the guardian to Egbert Snider, who signed the legal paperwork.
On Feb 12, 1875, Jane Gilbert sold 80 acres to Edson Morris for $50 and 80 acres to A.N. Cunningham for $50.  That was a considerable difference in what they paid for those acres.
On 10 Dec 1974 Isom B. Gentry sold to Hiram Gilbert 36 acres of his land for $1 and by 28 Jun 1976 Jane bought 10 1/2 acres for $100.  So I'm assuming Jane lived with son Hiram until she bought the 10 acres.  She sold the 10 acres to her other son James Gilbert in 1885 for $125.  He sold this land in 1887 to his brother William for $135 and in 1890 William sold it back to James for $135.
It is unknown the exact date of death for Ezekiel, his last child, Hiram, was born 09 Oct 1862 and when the 1865 Kansas Census was taken on 18 Aug 1865 Jane was listed as being a widow.  So his death occurred sometime after January 1862 and before August 1865.  According to family stories, Jane buried Ezekiel at the corner of the house so she could keep an eye on him, cemeteries this early in the state's history were rare and most people were buried in the back yard in family plots.
Jane on the other hand lived until 30 March 1907 and was buried in the Comet Cemetery in Brown County, Kansas.
Ezekiel and Jane were the parents of 8 children, two of whom died in infancy.  The six children to reach adulthood were:  James Gilbert 1849-1915; William Anderson 1850-1929; Nancy A. (Mrs. William Brownlee, 1855-c1903; Margaret (Mrs. Henry Fortney, then Mrs. Ezra A. Cleveland) 1857-1911; Elizabeth (Mrs. Chauncey Robb) 1861-1914; and Hiram 1862-1928.
On the 1865 Kansas Census it was listed that Jane owned 1 Horse, 2 milch cows, 4 swine, Livestock was valued at $150, she had 120 Bushels Indian Corn, 2 bushels Irish potatoes, 100 pounds butter, 20 gallons sorghum molasses and a $20 value of slaughtered animals.

74th Gilbert Reunion in Soldier, Jackson County, Kansas, June 22, 2014

The 74th Gilbert Reunion was held Sunday, June 22, 2014 in the Community Center in Soldier, Jackson County, Kansas.  A small group gathered and made plans for a bigger reunion for 2015 which will be held in Topeka, Kansas (details will be posted here as soon as they are available).  There were more people than what is in the photo, as about 7-8 were late arrivals, plus I'm not in the photo as I was having problems with the camera, but that has been resolved, so next time I can take the photo and be in it as well.

Raymond Bernard Jurgensmeier

Raymond Bernard Jurgensmeier, 90, of rural Fairview, died April 4, 2014, at a Sabetha care home. Ray was married to Norma Gilbert, October 30, 1950, at Fidelity Catholic Church. She died April 19, 2008. Survivors include three daughters: Pamela Koch of Sabetha, Patricia (Zon) Middendorf of Hiawatha, Diane (J.R.) Low of Nortonville; four sons: Bernard (Mary) Jurgensmeier of Marion, IL, Gregory Jurgensmeier, Kevin Jurgensmeier, Randall Jurgensmeier, all of Fairview. Mass of Christian will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, April 7, at St. Augustine Catholic Church in the Fidelity Community, south of Sabetha. A parish rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Sunday followed by visitation until 7:30 at the Church. Memorial contributions are to be used for scholarships for Fairview area youth and may be sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

Published in Topeka Capital-Journal on Apr. 5, 2014

Raymond was the son of Bernard and Helena (Rieman) Jurgensmeier.  He was born 02 Sep 1923 at Auburn, Nebraska.