Smile for the Camera--George Ethelbert VanGilder

The word prompt for the 12th Edition of Smile For The Camera is A Noble Life. Show us a photograph of an ancestor, relative, or friend that is the embodiment of A Noble Life. A life that is worthy of those who came before and those who follow after. A Life filled with small but courageous acts; filled with love and honor. A simple life, an ordinary life, A Noble Life. Bring them to the carnival and share with us how you've honored them.

Cabinet Card
C. S. Rogers, Photographer
Morgantown, West Virginia
This cabinet card is in my possession

     My paternal great grandfather, George Ethelbert VanGilder complete with a coat, tie, pocket watch and hat. He certainly looks noble, doesn’t he! 

     This cabinet card photograph was taken in Morgantown, West Virginia. George, son of John Oliphant VanGilder and Mary Louise Hill was born on January 27, 1861 in Morgantown, West Virginia¹. He died at age 43 on May 24, 1904 at his home in Morgantown, West Virginia². He left his wife, Jessie Pool VanGilder and four little daughters. 

     He was a dedicated public servant throughout his, all too short, life. Public school teacher³, secretary of the Morgantown school board⁴, enumerator of the 1900 West Virginia Federal Census in Morgantown⁵, and elected town official⁶, were several of his civic activities. 

     There is a cross street, George & VanGilder Streets, in Morgantown named in his honor. I think a line from his obituary says it all….”He was possessed of a kindly, quiet disposition that made friends of all with whom he came in contact.”⁷

^{Other Blogs on Flipside}

-VANGILDER, GEORGE ETHELBERT and JESSICA POOL, Marriage License

-VANGILDER, GEORGE ETHELBERT and JESSICA POOLE, Tombstone Tuesday

-VANGILDER, GEORGE ETHELBERT West Virginia University student

-VANGILDER, GEORGE ETHELBERT--Wordless Wednesday

Notes

1. "Morgantown Weekly Post," Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia, May 24, 1904, page 7. 2. “Morgantown Weekly Post,” page 7. 3. George Ethelbert VanGilder, George Ethelbert VanGilder Autograph Album, Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia, 1888-1887. 4. Samuel T. Willey, History of Monongalia County, West Virginia, From Its First Settlements to the Present Time, Preston Publishing Company, Kingwood, West Virginia, 1883, 657. 5. 1900 West Virginia Federal Census, Morgantown, Morgan District, Seneca, Monongalia County, ED 83, Sheet 15A. 6. Earl L. Core, The Monongalia Story A Bicentennial History: IV Industrialization, (McClain Printing Company, Parsons, West Virginia, 1982), Chapter 122: 1898, page 227. 7. “Morgantown Weekly Post,” page 7.

Updated:  September, 2022

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