Gertrude is the daughter of Verona Mae GILBERT of VanBuren Co., Michigan and an unknown father. BIRD and PARKER Family lore suggests that Verona was in the employ of a Mr. Kellogg of Battle Creek, Michigan and that the unnamed natural father of Gertrude was an heir to the famous KELLOGG milling industry of Battle Creek and that Verona was sent to Chicago to have her baby in private in order to avoid scandal; but no direct evidence to verify that story has been found. (Note however that Verona GILBERT's grandfather, Daniel Perry GILBERT, in 1848, was living on land in Manchester, New York that earlier had belonged to Henry KELLOGG so there could be a connection.) The secret of Gertrude's natural paternity died with Gertrude's mother, Verona. [Note however that more recent DNA evidence by a descendant of Gertrude indicates that Gertrude's father was likely a "KELLOGG"]

[Note: The above Bird "family lore" has more recently been supported by DNA tests of Gertrude's descendants and by information received from descendants of her mother's sister, Lucretia (Gilbert) Glasscock as recorded in their family history. Gertrude's mother, Verona Gilbert age 17 and Verona's sister Lucretia Gilbert age 20 were working as student nurses at Dr. John Harvey Kellogg's Sanitarium and Health spa in 1896 at the time that Gertrude was conceived. See also the movie "ON THE ROAD TO WELLVILLE" Available on DVD or streaming online for an example of the environment that the two young girls likely worked in at the time. --- Comment by William DeCoursey, contributor ID #46613311]

What is known is that shortly after the birth of Gertrude her mother Verona Gilbert, answered an ad placed by Henry F. Bird, a widowed farmer in Johnson Co., Iowa, who was looking for a housekeeper and a governess for his five minor children.

Verona Mae GILBERT and Henry Francis BIRD were married on 17 May 1899, and Verona's daughter, Gertrude, was adopted by Mr. Bird and given his BIRD surname. He raised her as his own daughter along with five children from his earlier marriage to Ella McCOLLISTER and six more born to his 2nd wife, Verona GILBERT..

Gertrude Gilbert BIRD (1897-1867) married at Algona, Iowa to Wilford Wheeler "Bill" HOFIUS (1896-1959). They had a daughter, Verona May (Hofius) Parker (b. 8 May 1917), and an adopted son, James Bird Hofius (b. 18 Apr 1939).