Alex Gilbert

In an intriguing discovery, an article published in The Daily Advocate surfaced, revealing a rare glimpse into the life and death of Alex S. Gilbert, a prominent African American figure in post-Reconstruction Baton Rouge. The article chronicled Gilbert’s funeral, describing it as "the largest colored funeral ever witnessed in this city," with a turnout that underscored his standing as an “upright and popular colored citizen.”

Uncommonly for a Black resident, his service took place at Magnolia Cemetery, a burial ground typically reserved for white residents. This exception highlights the fluid racial boundaries during Reconstruction, a time when segregation laws were not yet rigidly enforced in every context.

Alex Gilbert was not just any business owner; he operated Gilbert Funeral Home, a lasting institution in Baton Rouge, once listed at 27 North Boulevard. A man of diverse roles, he also held a position as a constable, and records from 1875 reflect his significant political involvement as Chairman of the Republican Executive Committee for East Baton Rouge. During this period, the Republican Party championed civil rights and the local chapter was notably active, making it a critical platform for freed Black men to exert political influence.

Gilbert’s personal life adds another layer to his story. His first wife, Alice, possessed some wealth, likely inherited from her father, who was either her mother’s enslaver or a free man. This inheritance possibly provided the financial foundation for Gilbert to establish his funeral home. 

Alice was in her mid-30’s when she died. She too is buried in Magnolia Cemetery. After her death, Gilbert married Jenny Culverson in 1887. Although young—between 16 and 19 at the time—Jenny proved to be an astute businesswoman in her own right.

Following Alex’s death in 1891, she continued to run Gilbert Funeral Home and expanded its services, including establishing Lincoln Cemetery on Greenwell Springs Road in 1926 and offering private ambulance services. In the 1970's the business moved from its location downtown to the corner of North Blvd. at 22nd Street.

Gilbert Funeral Home would go on to be celebrated as Baton Rouge’s oldest Black-owned business, a testament to the entrepreneurial legacy left by the Gilberts. It remained in business until the 1990s.

Intriguingly, Jenny’s lineage traces back to the Hollywood Plantation (later known as Ben Hur), where her mother, Louisa Brown, worked. The household of Gilbert Daigre, the plantation owner, reflected a complex domestic arrangement, likely involving a life partnership with Louisa. Jenny’s mother and siblings lived under Daigre’s roof, with census records indicating an informal yet stable family unit—an arrangement not uncommon in the complex racial landscape of the postbellum South.

The legacy of Alex S. Gilbert remains a powerful reminder of the progress and resilience in Baton Rouge’s African American community during Reconstruction. Though Magnolia Cemetery is typically thought of as a segregated resting place, the presence of such a respected figure within its grounds speaks to the respect he commanded across racial lines.

Gilbert’s headstone stands as a somber tribute, marking not only his life but also the cherished memories of his children, who all died young, and the enduring impact he left on Baton Rouge. His epitaph resonates with deep familial loss, encapsulating the emotions of a community that both mourned and celebrated a life dedicated to service, business, and community progress.

His headstone reads: 

Born 1847

Died Oct. 13, 1891

F.P Gilbert

Born Feb 23 1887

Died May 5 1888

P.A. Gilbert

Born Aug. 18 1889

Died Aug. 19 1889

A.S. Gilbert

Born Aug. 20 1888

Died Dec. 5, 1888

A precious one from us has gone, 

A voice we loved is stilled, 

A place is vacant in our home 

Which never can be filled. 

God in His wisdom has recalled 

The boon His love had given 

And though the body slumbers here 

The soul is safe in Heaven.

Melissa Eastin, Archivist/Librarian III at the East Baton Rouge Parish Library, and David Laatsch, Genealogy Library, provided critical research and documentation for this article. They are continuing to dig within the archive to learn more about this individual and his contributions to Baton Rouge history. For that reason, this article could be updated in the future to include new information. 

Additionally, if you have any information to add to this article, please email downtowneastsocialride@gmail.com.