Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 918.
 
GILBERT B. WARDWELL

     is United States land commissioner at Silver Lake. He is a well known
resident of this part of Lake county and is one of the leading business men. He
was born on May 28, 1854, in Swampscott, Massachusetts, the son of Gilbert and
Abbie (Sargent) Wardwell, now deceased. The father followed the seas and
traveled over the most of the world. His death occurred in Massachusetts. Our
subject has one brother, Edward, still living in the home state. Gilbert B. was
educated in the common schools and in a classical college of Massachusetts. He
also completed a business course in the Bryant and Stratton college. Then he
engaged as a salesman in a mercantile house and also did bookkeeping. In the
fall of 1876, he came west to Hutchinson, Kansas, and was engaged in trade and
traffic through Kansas, Indian Territory, Texas and Colorado. After that, he
went to the Black Hills in South Dakota and followed mining and prospecting.
Returning to Hutchinson, he was there married on July 21, 1880, to L. Matilda
Ward, a native of Pennsylvania and the daughter of Samuel A. and Elizabeth
(Russell) Ward. The father was born in Pennsylvania and met his death at the
terrible Silver Lake fire in 1894. The mother is still living in Silver Lake.
     Our subject and his wife started across the plains about August T, 1880, by
wagon and arrived at the Grande Ronde valley in December following. In the
summer of 1881, he moved to Asotin county, Washington, and followed farming.
While there, he was county commissioner for two terms. In 1888, Mr. Wardwell
journeyed to the Willamette valley with a band of horses. Later, we find him in
Lincoln and Spokane counties, Washington, and in the fall of 1889, he arrived in
Lake county. He immediately engaged as bookkeeper and salesman in Mr. Chrisman's
store and on April 21, 1898, he was appointed United States land commissioner by
Judge Bellinger. At the expiration of his term of four years, he was reappointed
and is now filling his second term. He is clerk of the W. W. order in Silver
Lake and chairman of the Republican central committee of the Silver Lake
precinct. Mr. and Mrs. Wardwell have the following named children : Samuel S.;
Cora A., the wife of Arthur A. Martin; Jennie and Elizabeth, deceased; Alice and
Gilbert. Mr. Wardwell owns a homestead of eighty acres, half a mile east of
Silver Lake town, which is his home at the present time. It is a fine location,
provided with a good nine-room residence, large barn and all other improvements
necessary.
     Mr. Wardwell is a good citizen, an ardent laborer for the progress of
educational interests and the genera! upbuilding of the country and is
considered one of the substantial men of principle and integrity in this part of
the country.


*******************

Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in March 2011 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.