from Chippewa County History -
"Gilbert H Hilden was 16 years old when he came with the family to America, and had received his elementary schooling in Norway. After coming here he had to work hard developing the home place and assisting in the support of the family, who lived for some time in a dug-out, later in a log house which stood on the site of his present home, which he built in 1890. In 1915 he built a large, modern barn and silo. He worked hard to get a start and, by managing well, has become owner of three hundred and twenty acres of excellent land, all of which is well improved. He has been quite successful as a general farmer and stock raiser and is also a stockholder in the compaines controlling the elevator and creamery at Watson.
On December 12, 1878, Gilbert H Hilden was married to Carrie Olson (Kari Olsdatter Stensrud), a native of Norway, where her parents lived and died. In her youth she came to America and located in Minnesota. Twelve children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hilden, names: Thea, Ole, Herman, Martha, Anna, Maria, Emma, Minnie, Eddie, John, Harold, and Gerhard. Politically, Mr. Hilden is an independent voter, but formerly he supported the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran Church."