Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 2).djvu/678

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GIHON
GILBERT

are "Niagara Palls," "Virginia in Indian Summer," "The First Snow," "Pour Seasons in America," "The Dismal Swamp," "Moonlight on the Saguenay." "Mount Washington," which was exhibited at the Paris salon of 1867, and " Spring," at the Philadelphia exposition of 1876.


GIHON, Albert Leary, surgeon, b. in Philadelphia, Pa., 6 June, 18o3. He was graduated at the Philadelphia high-school in 1850, and was professor in the Philadelphia medical college in 1853-'4. He entered the U. S. navy in 1855 as assistant surgeon, became surgeon in 1861, medi- cal inspector in 1872, and medical director, with the rank of captain, in 1879. He is now (1887) stationed at Mare Island, California. His published works are " Practical Suggestions in Naval Hygiene " (New York, 1871) ; " The Need of Sanitary Reform in Ship Life " (1877) ; " Sanitary Commonplaces Applied to the Navy " (1877) ; and the " Prevention of Venereal Disease by Legisla- tion " (1882), and is a constant contributor to magazines and newspapers.


GIL, Geroninio Antonio (hil), Spanish-Mexi- can engraver, b. in Zaniora, Spain, in 1732 ; cl. in the city of Mexico, 1(5 April, 1798. He was one of the first scholars of the Academy of San Pernando, which enabled him to continue his studies in Mad- rid under Tonias Prieto. In 1750 he was awarded the first prize for the second class in painting, and in the same year he engraved the copper-plate copies of the medals that his teacher had used for the premiums of the academy, and that institute made him an honorary member. In 1757 he went to Rome to continue his studies, and on his return was awarded the engraving of the medals for the agricultural exposition of Malaga. In 1760 he was appointed chief engraver of the mint in Mexico, and established a drawing-school. From 1764 till his death he was director of the Academy of San Carlos. His most noteworthy works are the med- als that he engraved for the proclamation of the reign of Charles IV., and a medal representing the equestrian statue of that monarch, executed by Manuel Tolsa for the Paseo de Bucareli in the city of Mexico. He also executed over 6,600 punches and 8,000 matrices for the type-foundry for the royal library, one of the best outfits in existence. In Rome and Madrid there are fine prints of cop- per-plates executed by Gil, the most original being a portrait of Charles III., with an allegorical fig- ure, and a plate of Palafox, ex-bishop of Puebla.


GILBERT, Abijah, senator, b. in Gilbertsville, Otsego CO., N. Y., 18 June, 1806 ; d. there, 23 Nov., 1881. His grandfather, Abijah, settled in Otsego (then Montgomery) county in 1787, and his father, Joseph, was engaged there in manufacturing and other business. The son entered Hamilton college, but did not complete his course, owing to illness. He engaged in mercantile pursuits in the country, and afterward in New York city, but retired in 1850. In politics he was a strong Whig, and after- ward a Republican, and was an early advocate of the abolition of slavery. After the civil war he removed to St. Augustine, Fla., and took an active part in the reconstruction of the state. He was elected to the U. S. senate as a Republican, and served from 1869 till 1875, after which he retired to private life, continuing to reside in St. Augus- tine till just before his death.


GILBERT, Benjamin, author, b. in Byberry, Philadelphia, Pa., in 1711 ; d. on St. Lawrence river, 8 June, 1780. He carried on an extensive milling business in Northampton county. Pa. In April, 1780, he and his family were taken prisoners by the Indians. He was carried to Niagara, surrendered to Col. Johnson, and sent by him in an open boat to Montreal. He died while descending the St. Lawrence, and was buried on the banks of the river. A narrative of his captivity and suffering was published by Joseph Cruikshank (Philadel- phia, 1784). His mind was of a religious bent, and he published several volumes on theological sub- jects, including " Truth Defended " (1748) ; Dis- courses on Perfection " (1769); and "Further Dis- courses on Sin, Election, Reprobation, and Bap- tism " (1770). See also " History of Bvberrv and Moreland." by P. Middleton (Philadelphia, 1867).


GILBERT, Charles Champion, soldier, b. in Zanesville, Ohio, 1 Marcli, 1822. He was graduated at the U. S. military academy in 1846, and assigned to the 3d infantry. He served in the war with Mexico, was in the garrison at Vera Cruz in 1847-'8, in the city of Mexico in 1848, and then engaged in frontier duty until 1850. He became an assistant professor at West Point on 28 Feb., 1850, was pro- moted to a 1st lieutenancy on 10 June, and ful- filled his duties until 28 Sept., 1855, after which he was on duty at various forts in Texas until the be- ginning of the civil war. He distinguished him- self in conflicts with Indians, and was advanced to a captaincy on 8 Dec, 1855. During the civil war he served in the southwest, and was wounded at the battle of Wilson's Creek on 10 Aug., 1861. On 21 Sept., 1861, he was inspector-general of the Department of the Cumberland and of the Army of the Ohio until 25 Aug., 1862. During this time he was engaged in the march to Pittsburg Landing in March and April, 1862, and in the battle of Shiloh on 7 April, when he was brevetted major. He was promoted to a brigadier-generalship of volunteers on 9 Sept., 1862, became acting major- general in command of the Army of Kentucky, en- gaged in the battle of Perryville on 8 Oct., 1862, and for his gallantry was brevetted colonel in the regular army. Taking command of the 10th di- vision of the Army of the Ohio, he guarded the Louisville and Nashville railroad through the winter, when he became assistant to the provost- marshal at Louisville until 2 June, 1863. He was then commissioned major, and served at various forts until 21 Sept., 186(5, when he was transferred to the 28th infantry. He became lieutenant-colo- nel of the 7th infantry, 8 July, 1868, colonel of the 17th infantry on 19 May, 1881, and was retired from active service on 1 March, 1886.


GILBERT, Edward, editor, b. in Albany, N. Y. ; d. in California in 1862. He received a pub- lic-school education, and became a member of Col. Stevenson's New York regiment. He after- ward removed to California, settled in San Fran- cisco, and served as representative in congress from 11 Sept., 1850, till 3 March, 1851, when he returned to his adopted state and engaged in the practice of law. He soon after founded and be- came editor-in-chief of the daily "Alta Califor- nia," thus being the pioneer of the daily press of San Francisco. Certahi editorial criticisms on the action of the governor of the state provoked a re- tort from Gen. James W. Denver, then secretary of state of California, and a challenge followed. A duel with rifles resulted, and Gilbert fell.


GILBERT, Grove Sheldon, artist, b. in Clinton, N. Y., 5 Aug.. 1805 ; d. in Rochester, N. Y., 23 March, 1885. He was educated at Middlebury academy, and for a time studied medicine. An early fondness for drawing had given him a desire to be an engraver, and at the age of twenty, seeing a portrait for the first time, he at once decided to become an artist. Subsequently obtaining some colors from a sign-painter, he made a portrait of