Biography of Peter H. Gilbert

	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1898. Page 293.

	Scan and OCR by Joy Fisher, 1997. This file may be copied for non-profit 
	purposes. All other rights reserved. 



PETER H. GILBERT, a representative citizen of Marshall county, is the 
proprietor of Langford's leading mercantile house. He was born in the 
land of the midnight sun, July 5, 1858. His father, Gilbert Haarstad, 
was also born in Norway, and died in his native land when our subject 
was but a child. His mother's maiden name was Hannah Peterson. She, 
too, was born in Norway, and first saw the light of day January 28, 
1840. She is now living in South Dakota with her second husband.

	Our subject is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Haarstad. 
At the age of twelve he migrated from the land of his birth to America 
and located in Trempealeau county, Wisconsin. He grew to manhood on a 
farm in that county and was educated in the district schools and the La 
Crosse Business college. He then secured a position as timekeeper and 
bookkeeper for McDonald Bros., lumber manufacturers, at their mill in 
La Crosse. January 13, 1887, he arrived in Langford, South Dakota, and 
at once entered into the mercantile business.

	Mr. Gilbert married Mary Beckum, of La Crosse, Wisconsin, 
December 28, 1886. She is a native of Coon Valley, Vernon county, 
Wisconsin, born September 10, 1858, a daughter of Hans B. and Ronnog 
Beckum. Two children have been born to this union: Hattie Rubie and 
Esther Mary, both of whom were born in Langford. Politically Mr. 
Gilbert is now a Republican, although he formerly voted with the 
Democrats. He has been a member of the village board several times, and 
is now village treasurer and a member of the school board. He is a 
member of the Lutheran church, in which he holds the office of foreman. 
He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity and the A. O. U. W. Mr. 
Gilbert is a man of excellent business ability and is very thorough and 
systematic in all the details of his work. He started with a small 
stock, but increased it from time to time as he built up his business 
and extended his trade until to-day it compares favorably with the best 
mercantile houses in that section of the state. He makes his various 
enterprises fit together, and in carrying on his affairs displays the 
utmost courtesy, a high sense of honor, and a desire to do well by 
those with whom he deals, yet not neglecting his own interests.