GILBERT S. VOSSELLER, who as merchant and banker has a wide acquaintance in Greene county, is honored and respected by all who know him not only because of the success he has achieved, but also by reason of the straightforward business methods he has ever followed. He was born November 30, 1831, in New Jersey, a son of George and Eliza (Stryker) Vosseller, who were likewise natives of New Jersey. The family is of Holland lineage and was established in New Jersey at an early epoch in the history of the colonization of the new world. The paternal grandfather, George Vosseller, died in 1845. His son George Vosseller, Jr., was born in New Jersey in 1803 and after arriving at years of maturity he wedded Eliza Stryker, who was born in 1805 and was a daughter of Gilbert and Eliza Stryker. The father of Gilbert S. Vosseller passed away during the early boyhood of his son, dying on the 1st of August, 1843, but his widow long survived and departed this life in 1875.

In early youth Gilbert S. Vosseller became a resident of White Hall and to some extent attended the pubic schools here, but his educational privileges were somewhat meager, for at an early age he began to earn his own living. He was a youth of fourteen when he secured employment as a farm hand, to which pursuit he devoted his energies for several years. Believing that he would find commercial life more congenial, in 1851 he entered a store in White Hall and for eleven years served as a salesman here, during which time he gained practical experience and comprehensive knowledge of the business that have well qualified him to carry on merchandising on his own account. On the expiration of his service as a clerk he entered into partnership with A. Davis, under the firm style of A. Davis & Company in 1862. I. D. Vedder, the venerable justice of the peace of White Hall, was also a member of the firm for two years. In 1878, after a business experience of sixteen years in which their efforts were crowned with prosperity, Mr. Vosseller purchased the interest of Mr. Davis and soon afterward James Cochrane and Aaron O. Vosseller were admitted to the firm. In 1892 Mr. Cochrane retired and was succeeded by Albert E. Vosseller, son of our subject. Thus since 1851, covering a period of more than half a century, Mr. Vosseller has been continuously identified with mercantile pursuits in White Hall. Earnest effort, close application and the exercise of his native talents have won him success and no history of the commercial development of this place would be complete without the record of his career. He became active in the organization of the White Hall National Bank, which opened its doors for business on the 1st of January, 1904, and was chosen its president.

On the 19th of April, 1855 Mr. Vosseller was married to Miss Rachel Davis, a native of Greene county. They traveled life's journey happily together for about twenty years and then Mrs. Vosseller was called to her final rest October 8, 1874. They were the parents of nine children, of whom Albert, James and Frank are now living. Albert is associated with his father in the mercantile business. He is married and has three children: Edna, Clarence and Gilbert. James resides in Jacksonville, where for twelve years he has occupied a position in the Jacksonville National Bank. He is married and has one child, Aurelius. Eliza became the wife of Harry Bradbury and died in Minneapolis, Minnesota, July 17, 1894. George G. died at the age of seven years. Frank resides upon the farm near White Hall and has one son, Harold.

In his political views Mr. Vosseller is a Democrat, but has never time nor inclination for public office, preferring to concentrate his energies and attention upon his business interests. He is independent in his religious views, his preference being for the Presbyterian church, in which he was reared. Mr. Vosseller is a notable example of the self-made man and though he started out in life empty-handed when but a young lad, he has amassed quite a fortune through his business, which has been conducted along honorable lines. He thus enjoys the esteem, respect and confidence of all and is especially honored in the business community. He is a small man, plain and unassuming in manner, yet his genuine worth has won for him the good will and high regard of those with whom he has been associated. He has built for himself an enviable reputation second to none in the county and through perseverance has gained a foremost position in mercantile and financial circles through a course that never seeks nor requires disguise.