Biography of 	WILBERT, Benijah G., M.D., Iberville, then Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by 	Mike Miller April 1998

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Louisiana:  Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events, Institutions, 
and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form (volume 3), pp. 466-467.  Edited by
Alcée Fortier, Lit.D.  Published in 1914, by Century Historical Association.

Wilbert, Beneijah G., M. D., specialist in diseases of the ear, nose and
throat, and clinical instructor at the Presbyterian hospital, New Orleans, 
was born at Plaquemine, Iberville parish, La., Dec. 31, 1884; son of 
Frederick and Helena (Lotz) Wilbert, the former of whom was born in the same
town in which the son was born, and the latter in Iberville parish, La.  The
parents at this time continue resident at the family home in Plaquemine.  
The paternal grandfather, Anton Wilbert, was born at Coblentz, Germany, 
Feb. 4, 1815, on the banks of the picturesque River Rhine, one of the most 
beautiful streams in all of Europe. There he passed his childhood and youth,
and, in preparation for years of future usefulness, learned the trade of a 
cabinet maker.  He was intellectually well endowed, of fine physique, 
blessed with robust health and, thanks to correct early instruction, 
possessed the best of the ennobling moral qualities traditionally typical 
of the Teutonic race.  In the full bloom and vigor of his early manhood he 
perceived the advantages that would naturally be afforded for the exercise 
of his talents and his boundless energy, and accordingly arranging for his 
permanent departure from the parental home, in the year 1850 he set sail for
America, and after a tedious journey across the seas, arrived at New 
Orleans.  Very shortly following his landing he located at Plaquemine, then
a small village on the banks of the Mississippi river. Here he began in a 
very modest way as a cabinet maker, and as his limited resources increased,
added the business of undertaking.  Backed by his energy and frugality, his
small enterprises prospered from their beginning, and as soon as he found 
himself in sufficiently stable circumstances to warrant the change, was 
married to Mrs. Mary Sibilla Salomon.  Nine children were born to their 
union, 8 sons and 1 daughter, all of whom, with the exception of the eldest
son, survive at this time.  The names of these children, in order of their 
birth, are as follows:  Anthony, deceased;  Henry,  Frederick, father of the
subject of this sketch;  Peter G.,  John,  George,  Charles,  Joseph and 
Mary Sibilla.  These surviving children are all residents of the city of
Plaquemine, where they were born, and jointly they own and control extensive
business interests in that locality, including large sugar and cotton
plantations and great tracts of valuable timber lands, the latter in the
vicinity of Plaquemine and elsewhere. The father paved the way for the sons'
great success, and laid the foundation for their present vast and varied
enterprises.  In 1865 he began operations in the lumber business, foreseeing
that the great virgin forests which then covered Iberville and adjoining
parishes would eventually yield great profits.  In the succeeding years of
his active and useful life he built 3 large sawmills, which turned out 
millions of feet of lumber each year.  He was a very important factor in 
the development of the adjacent territory and the upbuilding of  the city of
Plaquemine, to the advancement of which he contributed in many ways, direct
and indirect.  During a number of years he served the community as a member
of the board of aldermen.  While the father and mother laid the broad 
foundation for the great material success of their children, and inculcated
the sterling virtues of honesty, industry, sobriety and frugality, great 
credit is due the sons for the large fortune they have built upon the 
beginnings of the industrious, sagacious and honored father.  They appear 
to have inherited in marked degree the virtues of the father, and to have 
added to and developed these, as indeed was obligatory upon them.  They have
been faithful to the trust, and loyal to the family name, and in a variety
of ways constitute a remarkable family.  Largely important among these 
considerations is the striking example afforded of brotherly and family 
harmony and unity, which might with great advantage be emulated by many 
other families, large and small, in Louisiana and elsewhere. Family harmony 
furnishes the keynote to their success.  The children are a credit to their 
parents, and to the community in which they live.  They are each and all 
married, and in their turn are rearing healthy and happy families.  The 
older citizens say that Mr. Wilbert, in a quiet way, was very proud of his 
7 sons and daughter, and referred to them as the crowning achievement of 
his successful life.  Frederick, the third son, and father of the subject of
this sketch, has served with conspicuous ability as a member of the 
Louisiana state senate, and in this connection discharged the duties of a
member, respectively, of several of the most important senatorial committees. 
Peter G. has served as a member of the board of aldermen, and later as mayor
pro tem of the city of Plaquemine.  John has, during a number of years, been a
member of the police jury of Iberville parish, serving as president of that
body.  Joseph has several times served as a member of the Iberville parish
school board.  July 4, 1887, in the 72nd year of his age, Anton Wilbert 
closed his earthly career, leaving to his children the heritage of an 
honored name with which is associated nothing but good and helpful deeds 
and the memory of an optimistic and heroic spirit in all ways worthy of our
best efforts at emulation.  Mr. Wilbert was a consistent member of the Roman
Catholic church, and his remains were interred in the Catholic cemetery at 
Plaquemine.  The maternal grandfather, Baltzer Lotz, was also a native of 
Germany, and came to the United States while yet a young man.  He located on
a plantation in Iberville parish, and has continued resident there to this 
time, being at one time one of the largest land owners of that part of the 
state of Louisiana.  The Wilbert Brothers still continue conducting the 
lumber manufacturing business originally established by their father, and 
this has now become one of the largest enterprises of its kind in the United
States.  Dr. Beneijah G. Wilbert, the subject of this sketch, received his 
earlier education in private schools at Plaquemine, following which he 
entered college at Bay St. Louis, Miss., and there completed his academic 
education.  In 1902 he matriculated in the medical department of Tulane 
university, from which he graduated with the degree of M. D. in the class of
1906.  Following his graduation he served 2 years as an interne in the Eye,
Ear, Nose and Throat hospital, at New Orleans, and very shortly afterward 
established himself in practice at New Orleans, specializing in diseases of
the ear, nose and throat.  Dr. Wilbert filled the important position of 
assistant surgeon at the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat hospital during 4 years,
and only resigned that office to accept the position of clinical instructor
at the Presbyterian hospital, being incumbent of the latter responsible 
post at this time.  Dr. Wilbert is a member of the Roman Catholic church, 
and is affiliated with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.