One of the well known citizens of Gans, Oklahoma, is Eugene C. Gilbert, cashier of the Citizen’s Bank. He was born near Caswell, Georgia, on the 15th of December, 1889, a son of W. A. and Helen C. (Chum) Gilbert, both members of old Georgia families. The father engaged in the mercantile business for many years and also followed agricultural pursuits, enjoying well merited success. He and his wife are still living. To them four sons and one daughter were born, Eugene C., whose name initiates this review, being the eldest child.
In the acquirement of an education, Eugene C. Gilbert attended the public schools of Caswell and was graduated from the high school at Carter, Georgia, with the class of 1907. In 1908 he went to Sallisaw as bookkeeper for Mayo & Company, remaining active in that position until 1913. He then removed to Gans and became cashier of the Citizen’s Bank, in which official capacity he is still serving. He was elected city clerk of Gans and he held that office for some time, serving to the best of his ability in that connection. For many years he has been a member of the school board, taking an active interest in all educational affairs.
Mr. Gilbert has been twice married. On the 15th of January, 1911, he was united in marriage to Miss Penelope Faulkner, a daughter of David Faulkner Cherokee and. a member of an old family of Hanson, Oklahoma, and to their union two children were born: Eugene C., Jr., and Elmo Hunter. The wife and mother died in 1913. At Fort Smith, Arkansas, on the 27th of June, 1920, he was again married, Miss Martha McEachin, a daughter of John and Maggie McEachin, becoming his wife. Her father is one of the well known cattlemen and ranchers of Marble City, this state. One child has been born to the second marriage, Stanley Keith.
Since attaining his majority Mr. Gilbert has given his political allegiance to the Democratic Party, having firm belief in the principles of that party as factors in good government. His religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, and fraternally he is identified with the Masons and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Along the line of his business he is affiliated with the Oklahoma State and American Banking Associations. During the World war Mr. Gilbert took a prominent part in war activities and was chairman of all the Red Cross and Liberty Loan drives in the Gans district. He is an alert and enterprising business man and is never too busy to aid in the furtherance of any movement for the development and improvement of the general welfare. He is now occupying an enviable position in financial circles in Sequoyah county.