Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-04-29
From the Caledonian.
Personal Sketches.
WILLIAM GILKERsoN, ESQ.

e William Gilkerson was born July %
}, IVA in Kilwinan, Scotland. He was the
7 son of John and Jennet Gilkerson who
/ with their children, emigrated to Amer.
e lea in 1884 and landed at Newburyport
e Mass, July %, where they remained
2 till the next year, when they removed
to Boscawen, N. II. Here they lived
, till the spring of 1886, when they re-
) moved to Barnet, VT, where they occu-
: pied the farm John Gilbraitb bought in
1776, at the mouth of Enerick brook
where it cmpties into the Passumpsc
river. Having bought land on the rising
ground about mile from their residence
they removed to it, being at that time the
most nortberly settlement in Barnet.
Here the family resided till the death Of
the parents, who were remarkably pious
people, and members Of the Associate
Presbyterian church organized and
settled in Caledonia county, and under
the pastoral care Of Rev. David Good
willie, who was the fist Presbyterian
clergyman settled in Vermont, and the
frat minister settled in this part of the
country, nine years before any other min.
ister was installed in the county OF Gale
donia. They were regular attendants on
his ministrations and for some years at
first, though Mrs. Gilkerson was a weak
. ly woman, they went afoot to church four
miles, through the woods and over the
bills, following a spotted line and some
times carrying a child in their arms.
John GiIfIlan was long an elder of the
Presbyterian church Of Barnet, and died
March, 3, 1924, in the eighty-third year
Of his age. His wife died June 27, 1920
in the seyenty-ninth year of her age.
They were highly esteemed and greatly
lamented.
They brought up their children Sin
the nurture and admoniion of the Lord
Three sons and two daughters survived
them and were all members of the same
church. Their sons William and Thomas
and their sons-in-law, George Galbraitb
and William Shearer were elders in the
same church. Two of thesr grandsons be-
'ame settled ministers of the Associate
Presbyterian synod Of North America.
)ne Of these is Rev. William GiIbraitb,
Who graduated at Union college, N. Y, 6
nd was ordained aud settled al Freeport, |
"a, in November, 1886, where he contin :
es TO oficiate. Eight of their great O
randsons enlisted into the army of the t
Initei States, three Of whom are dead. s
Their son, William Gilkerson, while e
inning to this country fell overheard and '
-as providentially saved, and landed the ,
ay he was ten years old. He lived and y
led on his fathers farm, and manifested e
is flial piety in taking good care of his j
Ddly parents. He was the first man who i
gned the cali given to Rev. David ,
ioodwille, July 5, 1890, and he constant ,
? and punctually attended his ministra- .
ons and those of his son and successor, q
Or nearly seventy-four years. He was |
arly chosen deacon and afterwards an =
lder and held office in the Presbyterian =
hurch of Barnet for more than fifty years. :;
BY the people of Barnet he was highly a
steemed and took high stand both in .
ne town and church. He was repeatedly i
hosen to most of the chief offices in town. =,
rhich he accepted with diffidence. By Y
he state government he was appointed a r
magistrate for many years. He was a
hosen and commissioned as captain Of a
he militia and was highly esteemed as a
Military officer. For seven years-18l9 n
0 1928, 1880 and l831-he was the y
representative of Barnet in the legislature s.
f Vermont, having been more fire. b
Iuently chosen to this office than any d
,ther man in town since the Revolution {,
ny war. He was remarkable for bis in +,
diligence, integrity, energy, activity and a
public spirit. He was a modest man, of "
treat decision of character, but his iudg- 4
nent was clear and correct, and his opin. :,
ons were candid and charitable. He bad 81
IN uncommon ability and facility to 10 q
BUSINESS, and as the people had the ut Il
most confidence in bis uprighthess, bis
gave great satisfaction to all p
Who employed him. He was often chosen r
mpire, and was a blessed peacemaker c
n restoring pecae and harmony between 4
be parties at variance. He was a faithful r
riend and wise counselor. In religious =
uties, public, domestic and private, be y
'as diligent and punctual. In the last .
ears of his life he confined his reading
xclusively to searching the scriptures
nd perusal of religious books, of which a
e bad many of the best kind. He refus. |