John Reid Gilby




John Reid Gilby was born January 24, 1876, in Berlin, Waterloo Co., Ontario, Canada, and died October 1, 1938, from suicide by drowning at 12:10 A.M. after jumping into the Columbia River St. Helens, Columbia Co., OR, at age 62. His death was listed as a suicide. He is the son of John Straw Gilby of St. John Parish, City of York, Micklegate, County Yorkshire, England, and Elsie Reid Young of Berlin, Canada West.

Isabella "Isabelle" Thompson was born September 23, 1868, in Forfar, County Angus, Scotland, and died November 30, 1959, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, at age 91. Buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada. She is the daughter of David Thompson of Scotland, and Isabella McDougall of Scotland.

John Reid Gilby and Isabella Thompson were married October 13, 1899, in Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada.

John Reid Gilby and Isabella (Thompson) Gilby had two children:

  1. Margery Isabel Gilby: Born June 2, 1904, in Charlotte, Eaton Co., MI; Died August 15, 1965, in Ventura Co., CA (age 61). Buried in Ivy Lawn Memorial Park, Ventura, Ventura Co., CA. Married December 10, 1927, in Columbia Co., OR, to Alvin Henry Hill: Born December 5, 1902, in Washington; Died November 12, 1979, in Ventura, Ventura Co., CA (age 76).
  2. John David "Jack" Gilby: Born April 6, 1906, in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI; Died November 15, 1980, in Scappoose, Columbia Co., OR (age 74). Buried in Bayview Memorial Cemetery, Warren, Columbia Co., OR. Married May 25, 1934, in Vancouver, Clark Co., WA, to Agnes B. Hattan: Born February 12, 1908, in St. Helens, Columbia Co., OR; Died March 20, 1978, in Multnomah Co., OR (age 70). Buried in Bayview Memorial Cemetery, Warren, Columbia Co., OR.



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Isabella (Thompson) Gilby is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountain House Census Division, Alberta, Canada. Thanks to Find-A-Grave for making this image available


The 1851 UK Census as of March 30, 1851 shows John Gilby (age 36) born in Kirton, County Lincolnshire, England is a Grocer Master employing one man and living at 6 New Bridge Street, St. John Parish, City of York, Micklegate, County Yorkshire, England. Living with him is his wife Elizaman Gilby (age 34) born in the City of Lincoln. Also living there are their children, all born in York: Emily Gilby (age 6); James Gilby (age 5); Emma Gilby (age 3); and John Straw Gilby (age 1). John's widowed father also lives there: Jas. Gilby, Sen., (age 70) a Retired Farmer born in Willsby, County Lincolnshire, England. The assistant grocer and two house servants also live there.

In 1855 John Gilby was still listed as a Grocer at 6 New Bridge Street.

John Reid Gilby was born January 24, 1876, in Berlin, Ontario, Canada.

Isabella "Isabelle" Thompson was born September 23, 1868, in Forfar, County Angus, Scotland.

The 1891 Canadian Census taken on May 11, 1891, shows John Gilby (age 41) born in England to English-born parents is a Rail Way Station Agent living in Tilbury West, Essex North, Ontario, Canada. Living with him is his wife, Elsie Reid Gilby (age 39) born Ontario, Canada, to Scottish-born parents. Also living there are his five children, all born in Ontario, Canada, to English and Ontario, Canadian-born parents: John Reid Gilby (age 15); Marguerite Gilby (age 13); Agnes Gilby (age 11); Isabella Gilby (age 4); and William Gilby (age 2).

The 1891 Canadian Census taken on April 29, 1891, shows David Thompson (age 46) born in Scotland to Scottish-born parents is a Wholesale Jeweler and is living in the 3rd Ward, City of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Living with him is his wife, Isabella Thompson (age 45) born in Scotland to Scottish-born parents. Also living there are his two daughters, both born in Scotland to Scottish-born parents: Aimee Thompson (age 20); and Isabella Thompson (age 18).

John Reid Gilby and Isabella Thompson were married October 13, 1899, in Toronto, York Co., Ontario, Canada.


John Reid Gilby and Isabella Thompson Marriage Record.


The 1901 Canadian Census shows John S. Gilby (age 51) born April 1, 1850, in England and emigrating in 1853 is a Station Agent living in Ekfrid Twp., Middlesex Co., Ontario, Canada. Living with him is his  wife, Elsie R. Gilby (age 49) born March 13, 1852 in Ontario, Canada. Also living there are his four unmarried children, all born in Ontario, Canada: Margret Gilby (age 23) born March 20, 1878; Alisemon A. Gilby (age 20) born May 7, 1880; Elsie I. Gilby (age 14) born September 8, 1886; and Wm. J. Gilby (age 12) born September 2, 1888.

The 1901 Canadian Census shows John Gilby (age 25) born January 24, 1876, in Ontario, Canada, is a married Rail Road T. Operator Lodging in the City of St. Thomas, Elgin East, Ontario, Canada.

Margery Isabel Gilby was born June 2, 1904, in Charlotte, Eaton Co., MI.

John David "Jack" Gilby was born April 6, 1906, in Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., MI.


The WWI Draft Registration Report dated September 12, 1918, shows John Reid Gilby (age 42) born January 24, 1876, is a Railroad Telegraph Operator for the Oregon Electric Railway and is living in Hillsboro, Oregon. His nearest relative is Mrs. Isabell Gilby of Hillsboro, Oegon.


The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 22, 1920, shows John R. Gilby (age 43) born in English Canada to English Canadian-born parents and having emigrated in 1880 and becoming a Naturalized citizen in 1885 is a Rail Road Ticket Agent owning his own farm with a mortgage and living in the City of St. Helens, Columbia Co., OR. Living with him is his wife, Isabella Gilby (age 43) born in Scotland to Scottish-born parents and having emigrated in 1880. Also living there are his two children, both born in Michigan to English Canadian and Scottish-born parents: Marjory I. Gilby (age 16); and John D. Gilby (age 13).

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April  8, 1930, shows John R. Gilby (age 55) born in English Canada to English Canadian-born parents and a Naturalized citizen and first married at age 26 is a Salesman in a Garage and is renting his home for $15/week and is living on Main Street, City of Clatskanie, Columbia Co., OR. Living with him is his wife, Isabelle Gilby (age 55) born in Scotland to Scottish-born parents and a Naturalized citizen and first married at age 26.


John Reid Gilby


John David "Jack" Gilby and Agnes B. Hattan were married May 25, 1934, in Vancouver, Clark Co., WA.


John David "Jack" Gilby and Agnes B. Hattan Marriage Record.


John Reid Gilby died October 1, 1938, from suicide by drowning at 12:10 A.M. after jumping into the Columbia River St. Helens, Columbia Co., OR, at age 62. He was an Insurance Agent at the time of his death. One account claimed that he died by drowning after falling off his fishing boat into the Columbia river near St. Helens, Columbia Co., OR. He may have been somewhat intoxicated at the time, at least so goes the story!


John Reid Gilby Death Record.


The News-Review, Roseburg, OR, Monday, October 3, 1938

OREGON EVENTS FLASHED FROM WIRE SERVICE

ST. HELENS, Ore., Oct. 3 - (AP) - The body of John R. Gilby, 59, missing since late Saturday, was taken from the Columbia river Sunday night. He was a St. Helens insurance man, former railroad man and auto dealer.


Isabella "Isabelle" (Thompson) Gilby died November 30, 1959, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, at age 91. Buried in Pine Grove Cemetery, Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada.


The Calgary Herald, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Tuesday, December 1, 1959

Deaths

GILBY - Nov. 30th, Mrs. Isobella Gilby of Rocky Mountain House. Remains were forwarded by FOSTER'S Garden Chapel, to Rocky Mountain House for services.


The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Saturday, December 19, 1959

Funeral Held For Mrs. Gilby

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE - Mrs. John Gilby, 91, died in Calgary and the funeral was held here recently. Born in Scotland, she came to Hamilton, Ont., with her parents as a young child and was married there to John Gilby, who pre-deceased her in 1938. They lived most of their married life in Oregon and after her husband's death, Mrs. Gilby came to live in 'Rocky' with her sisters-in-law, the late Mrs. Matthew Bradshaw and Mrs. J. E. Day. Besides Mrs. Day she is survived by a son in Redwood City, Calif., and a daughter, Mrs. Marjorie Hill, at Ontario, Oregon.