Gilbert, Arizona

Mr. Hubert Sawyer homesteaded land on Val Vista Road in 1908 before going back to Indiana to bring his wife and son to Arizona in 1909. He and his son, John Sawyer, were both active in the education system in Gilbert. Hubert and John both taught school. John served for many years on the Gilbert School Board. Not long after

the family arrived in Gilbert, his daughter Elizabeth was born. Elizabeth Sawyer Heagren served as the treasurer of the Gilbert Historical Society for twenty seven years. She is currently a Trustee Emeritus for the Society.

K Hubert Sawyer (1875–19 41 )

K Charles Brass (1867–1935)

The Charles Brass family came to the Gilbert area to farm in 1901.They later homesteaded land at the corner of Ray Road and Gilbert Road. Ruth Gieszl, one of their grandchildren, still serves as Trustee Emeritus of the Gilbert Historical Society. Fred Weeks homesteaded land in Gilbert in 1898, and his family has continued to farm and ranch in the Salt River Valley since that time.The Weeks family was better known for their cattle operations in the 1900s. In chapter five, we will explore more about William M.“Bobby” Gilbert, the namesake of our town. It needs to be noted here that he did homestead the Southeast Quarter of Section 12,Township 1 South, Range 5 East of the Gila and Salt River Base and Meridian on June 10, 1898.This parcel ran from the Western Canal south to Elliot Road and for a half-mile west. His sale of the right-of-way for the Phoenix and Eastern Railroad in 1902 was the fortuitous beginning of Gilbert.

K William M. “Bobby” Gilbert (1859–1945)

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