H. F. Gilbert resided on a farm of 160 acres in Section 3 of Maple Township, Ida County, Iowa. He settled on the land in Maple Township in 1888. His father had purchased the land in 1883.
He was born in Herkimer County, New York, September 26, 1856, son of S. L. and Eveline (Seaman) Gilbert, natives of New York. His grandfathers were Amos Gilbert and Jacob Seaman. He married Mary E. Doherty in Jones County, Iowa, January 1, 1881. Mary was a native of Springfield, Massachusetts, and a daughter of P. F. and Mary Doherty. When Mrs. Gilbert was 6 or 7 years old, she came to Iowa and was reared and educated in Iowa. Mr. Gilbert and his wife had five children: Earl L., Elva M., Irma L., Willie H., and Clifford D.