Walter D. Guilbert
American politician (1844–1911)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Walter Downey Guilbert (February 11, 1844 – February 15, 1911) was an American politician and businessman. He was the Ohio State Auditor from 1896 to 1909. Guilbert was a Republican.
Walter Downey Guilbert | |
|---|---|
| |
| 16th Ohio State Auditor | |
| In office January 13, 1896 – January 11, 1909 | |
| Preceded by | Ebenezer W. Poe |
| Succeeded by | Edward M. Fullington |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 11, 1844 |
| Died | February 15, 1911 (aged 67) |
| Resting place | Green Lawn Cemetery |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse | Mary L. Jordon |
| Children | three |
Early life
Guilbert was born on February 11, 1844, at Guernsey County, Ohio.[1][2] He grew up on a farm.[3] His parents were Margaret (née Downey) and Heiller E. Guilbert, who emigrated from France as a child, and settled in Guernsey County in the 1830s.[3]
Guilbert studied in local schools and the Wenona Academy in Wenona, Illinois.[3] After leaving school, he remained in the Midwest until 1869.[2]
Career
Guilbert moved to South Olive, Ohio, in 1864, where he manufactured staves until 1881.[4]: 310 In 1871, he formed the South Olive Salt Company with A. Haines, J. W. Campbell, and P. M. Jordan and purchased a salt well in South Olive, Ohio from the Syracuse Oil and Salt Company.[4]: 161 Guilbert and David Gouchenour bought out the other partners in 1875.[4]: 161 They drilled a new well in 1876.[4]: 161 In 1877, the original well became an oil well that produced 350 barrels before going dry.[4]: 161 Guilbert and his partner operated the salt business until 1877, when the value of salt dropped significantly.[4]: 161
In 1881, Guilbert was elected auditor of Noble County, Ohio as a Republican.[3] He was re-elected in 1884.[3] In 1886, he served on the town council of Caldwell, Ohio.[4]: 300 Guilbert was the treasurer. of the Caldwell Building and Loan Association.[4]: 304 He was a director of the Caldwell District Fair committee.[4]: 306–307
In 1888, Guilbert was appointed chief clerk of the Office of Auditor of State and continued to work in that capacity until 1896.[5] In 1895, Guilbert was nominated as Republican candidate for Ohio Auditor of State and was elected in the fall of 1895.[3] He began serving a four-year term as Ohio State Auditor on January 13, 1896.[3] He was reeelected in 1899.[4]: 310 He was the Ohio State Auditor until 1909.[3]
Guilbert was active in the Republican Party, serving as the chairman of the Noble County Committee and a member of the state executive committee.[2] He was a delegate to the 1888 Republican National Convention and the 1904 Republican National Convention.[2][5]
Personal life
Guilbert married Mary L. Jordan of Noble County, Ohio, on February 2, 1868.[2] The couple had two sons and one daughter.[2]
He was a member of the Freemasons, belonging to the Noble Lodge No. 459 of the Free and Accepted Masons and serving as its treasurer.[4]: 305–306 He was a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason and also passed the Knights Templar degree.[2][5] He was a member of the Mystic Shrine, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the Improved Order of Red Men.[2][5]
Guilbert died from Bright's disease on February 15, 1911 at his home in Columbus, Ohio.[5] He was buried with Masonic honors.[5] He was interred at Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio.[1][5]
