Edgar DeWitt Gilson

b 26 Jun 1858 Middleville, MI
son of William Booker / Ellen J. Skinner

A well known resident of Adams Co., WA. William Booker Gilson crossed the plains with his family to Oregon, locating in the Willamette Valley near Albany. There he taught school in Linn and Marion Counties.

In 1883 Edgar went to eastern Oregon and rode the plains as a cowboy until 1883, upon hearing of the discovery of gold in northern Idaho he joined the rush in 1884 and headed to Eagle and Pritchard Creeks and the Coeur d'Alene mines, remaining there for a year. On 3 Mar 1885 he went to Rizville and during the remainder of that and the following year served as Deputy Auditor of Adams Co., In 1887 N. H. Green chose him for his Deputy Sheriff of which he served 2 years.

In 1898 he became editor and manager of the
"Adams County News", now known as the "Washington State Journal" of which he had 1/2 interest. He continued to edit the journal until 1906, during a portion of which he also owned the "Ritzville Times."

In 1904 he erected an office building bearing his name. This was one of the first public buildings in the city, and for some years the lower floor was occupied by the Post Office. In 1906-07 he was President of the Washington State Sheriff's Association.

Elected in the fall of 1911 and took charge of office 1 Jan 1912. An active Member of the WA State Press Association 1902-1905. In the fall of 1911 he was honored by being elected to the Mayor's Chair and took charge of the office 1 Jan 1912.

He was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He was a member of Ritzville Lodge No 101, F. & A. M., a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Knights of Pythias.

m 1888
Miss Edith Keller
dau of Darvin Keller formerly a merchant and large ranch owner of Ritzville.

They had 6 children

Ralph b 1889
Edgar Leroy b 1891
Arthur Byron b 1898
Darvin Thompson b 1895
Edith Florence b 1898
Wilson Theodore b 1905

History of the City of Spokane and Spokane CO., WA Vol 2 by Nelson Wayne Durham 1912

William Booker Gilson 26702248
Ellen Jane Skinner Wilson 30832932
Edgar Leroy 38821630