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Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties, State of Washington",  published by Western Historical Publishing Co., 1904.


     EDGAR DEWITT GILSON, sheriff of Adams county, and one of the most enterprising pioneer citizens of Ritzville, was born in Middleville, Barry county, Michigan, June 26, 1858.  At an early age he accompanied his parents to Nebraska, where the family located for a short period in Platte county.  When he was eight years of age his father, William Booker Gilson, joined the swelling tide of emigration then setting strongly toward the west, and crossed the plains.  They settled near Albany, Linn county, Oregon, where those of the family remaining still reside.
     The subject of this sketch came to Adams county, Washington, March 3, 1885, and has lived continuously in Ritzville, the county seat, for the past twenty years.  From 1885 to 1887 he was deputy county auditor.  During the year 1888 he was clerk in the general mercantile establishment of N. H. Greene & Son.  In 1889 he established a real estate and insurance business which he still conducts.  Commencing in 1890 Mr. Gilson was alternately city marshal, police judge and justice of the peace.  During the three years between 1895 and 1898 he was deputy sheriff.  This was followed by his election to the offices of county clerk and clerk of the superior court.  Through eight successive terms he held the office of city clerk of Ritzville.  November 8, 1904, he was elected sheriff of Adams county, Washington.  Aside from these political positions Mr. Gilson is at present secretary of the Washington State Press Association, and is a delegate elect to the National Editorial Association which meets in Guthrie, Oklahoma, the present year, 1905.
     The business enterprises of our subject cover a wide range.  He is the sole owner of the "Gilson" brick and granite business block at the corner of Railroad avenue and C street, and is half owner of the new brick building and extensive printing plant of Gilson & Thompson.  His attractive and comfortable home on Knob Hill is shared by his wife, four boys and a daughter, all the children attending the public schools of the city.  He is manager and half owner of the Gilson-Thiel Oprea House.
     Sheriff Gilson is editor and manager of the Adams County News, a popular weekly newspaper.  Of this enterprise he assumed charge November 23, 1898.  A full description of this complete plant, editorial office and well-known facilities for turning out a fine line of printing of every description will be found in the chapter devoted to the "Press of Adams County."
 
 

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