Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-19
BENJAMIN F. GILBERT DEAD
ONCE PROMINENTLY IDENTIFIED
WITH PUBLIC AFFAIRS.
Erected Many Structures Here-Was
Mayor of Takoma Park for Sew
eral Terms.

Mr.. BENJAMIN Franklin Gilbert, founder
of Takoma Park, died this morning at
Garfield Hospital. In addition to being
deeply interested in Maryland real estate
Mr.. Gilbert was prominently identified with
public affairs in this city, and many build
ings here are regarded as monuments to
his efforts many years ago. He had not
been a we'll man for the past seven years.
He suffered a slight stroke of paralysis,
although he was not compelled to give up
his active participation in business affairs
until short time ago. For several months
he had suffered from uraemic poisoning,
and a week ago his condition was SUCH
that it was deemed advisable to remove
him to the hospital.
Arrangements for the funeral will not be
completed until a brother of the deceased
F., G.. Gilbert. a resident of Wellsvilie. N.
Y, reaches here. He is in Canada on
business trip. message was sent to htm
this morning. and he replied that he Will
come here Immediately.
The deceased was a native of New York,
where he was born siXty-five years ago,
De Ruyter. Madison county, being his birth
place. He came to this city during the
civil war and started life by accepting a
position as clerk in the National Hotel
Later he opened the Temperance lunch
room on F street between 9th and loth
streets and his place became one OF the
After the close of the war he turned his
attention to the real estate market, and
was associated with the late Alexander r.
Shepherd in number of business enter,
prises Many houses in the vicinity or
St Aloysius Church were constructed by
him, and he also built the row of houses
on the north side of X street between 9th
and 10th streets.
Opened Grant Place.
Grant place, between 9th and 10th and q
and II streets, was opened and improved by
Mr. Gilbert, and, it is said. he was the
first person to advocate the purchase of the
property between Pennsylvania avenue and
the mall for use by the government. Mr.
Gilbert accumulated a fortune. but he lost
practically all of it during the panic OF
1873. his valuable holdings in the north
west section of the city getting away from
him with his other real estate.
He left here after the panic of 1878 and
went to Dunellen, n. j.. where he again
embarked in the real estate business and
accumulated a considerable sum of money.
About 1854 he returned to this city. and
year two later he opened up the Takoma
Park property, purchasing a tract of land
in Montgomery county near what was then
Brightwood station. on the line of the Met
ropolitan branch of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad.
koma Park He served three times as
mayor. and was succeeded by Enoch Nor
ris, since deceased. 1t was due to his eff
forts. it Is said. that the Takoma Park
Loan and Trust Company was organized.
Mr. B. II. Warner. MIR. G. NJ. Heaton and
Col. Myron NJ. Parker being associated with
him in the enterprise. During the many
years Mr.. Gilbert resided in and about the
city he showed a deep interest in all pubic
matters. having served upon a number of
inaugural committees and committees in
charge of other celebrations. He was for
merly identified with the Masonic frater-
nifty. Mr. Gilbert's wife and one child, Miss
Margaret A. Gilbert survive him.