William Russell Gilbert, deceased, was well known in journalistic circles in Wallingford, where he made his home from 1869 until his death. He was born at Waldens Ridge, Tennessee, October 23, 1853, a son of Raphael and Angelica (Freeborn) Gilbert. The father spent the greater part of his life in New York, where he was engaged in the silverware manufacturing business. He afterward removed to Meriden and later went to Springfield, while his last days were spent at Northampton. His wife also passed away in Northampton.

It was during the infancy of William Russell Gilbert that his parents removed to New York city, where he practically acquired his education. He began to learn his trade with his father and in 1869 took up his abode in Wallingford, where he entered the employ of the Simpson, Hall & Miller Company, with whom he continued for twenty-two years or until 1891. In the meantime he had become interested in newspaper work, having in the early '70s assumed the position of correspondent of the Sunday Union, representing its interests in Wallingford. He still continued to work in the shop, doing his newspaper work evenings. In 1890 he entered into business relations with the Journal of Meriden, at which time that paper was in its infancy. In 1891 the circulation had so increased that he was offered inducements to give up work at the factory and devote his entire attention to building up the circulation, the advertising and the job printing departments. He accepted the offer which was made him and continued in active connection with the Journal up to the time of his death, being business manager for the paper at Wallingford and by his enterprise and ability contributing much to its growth and success.

On the 20th of September, 1877, at the home of the bride at 335 North Main street in Wallingford, Mr. Gilbert was married to Miss Minnie E. Loomis, a daughter of Milton and Mary (Beaumont) Loomis. Her grandfather, Elijah Beaumont, was one of the early settlers of Wallingford and became one of the first school masters and surveyors. Mrs. Gilbert's present home is a part of the old Beaumont homestead, established by her great-grandfather, Deodate Beaumont, who kept a tavern at the present corner of Main and Christian streets. The Beaumonts are descended from one of two brothers who came from England about the time that the Mayflower crossed the Atlantic. The family were of the English nobility and Mrs. Gilbert has the Beaumont coat of arms and is in possession of many articles which have been handed down from early periods and are now cherished heirlooms. To Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert were born three children: Leonard Russell, of New Haven; Grace S., at home, a public school teacher of Wallingford; and Clarence Beaumont, also of Wallingford.

In his political views Mr. Gilbert was a democrat, giving stalwart allegiance to the party but never desiring nor seeking office. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias and was a loyal adherent of those different organiza-tions. He possessed many sterling traits of character which won him high regard and he had a circle of friends in Wallingford almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintance.