He was graduated from the law department of the University of Louisville in 1873.

He was admitted to the bar and began practice in Taylorsville, Kentucky, in 1874.

Denied U.S. citizenship for Puerto Ricans when the United States invaded Puerto Rico and made them part of the United States.

Gilbert refused to let people of color to join the United States.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress