[3] He attended Genesee Conference Seminary and worked on his father's farm until the Civil War broke out, at which point he enlisted in the 17th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

He served until 1863, after which he moved to Stanton and invested his savings in a mercantile business with Edwin K. Wood, another veteran of the 17th.

[3] In 1868, Gilbert married Frances Smith; the couple had three children.

In 1877, he built this house for his own use,[2] and lived there until 1882, when he moved to Mecosta, Michigan to continue lumbering.

[2] The relatively plain facade is decorated with typical Late Victorian elements, including decorated trusses and oculus windows in the gables; and a jerkin head roof, chamfered posts, decorative brackets, and scrolled woodwork on the entry porch.