Gilbert L. Laws

Gilbert Lafayette Laws (March 11, 1838 – April 25, 1907) was an American politician, newspaper publisher and businessman. He served as the Nebraska secretary of state and as a member of the United States House of Representatives during the 1800s.

Early life Born on a farm near Olney, Illinois, Laws was the son of James Laws and Lucinda (Calhoun) Laws. In 1845, he moved to Iowa County, Wisconsin, with his parents. He attended Haskell University and Milton College which he financed by working in the lumber business during the summers.

Career Laws was elected as the Richland County Clerk in 1862 and reelected twice. After selling his share of the newspaper in 1864, he manufactured lumber, wagon materials and bedsteads. He was a member of the Richland Center, Wisconsin city council in 1868 and 1869, and the city's mayor in 1869. In 1869 and 1870, he was the chairman of the county board of supervisors and from 1866 to 1876 the postmaster. He resigned his posts in 1876 and moved to Orleans, Nebraska.

Laws moved to Nebraska in 1876.

He did not run for reelection, instead moving to Enid, Oklahoma, where he sold real estate. He returned to Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1895, and became secretary of the State board of transportation from 1896 to 1900.

Death Laws died on April 25, 1907 (age 69 years, 45 days), in Lincoln, Nebraska. He is interred at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln.

Personal life Laws married Josephine Lawrence on October 25, 1868. They had three daughters, Gertrude H. Laws, Theodosia C. Laws and Helen Lucile Laws.