Bio:  G. G. Gill , Claiborne Parish, LA
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890
Submitted for the LAGenWeb Arhives by: Gwen Moran-Hernandez, Jan. 2000


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G. G. Gill, merchant, Homer, La.  This enterprising and thoroughgoing
businessman was born in Hall County, Ga., on February 15, 1844, and is a son
of Hon. Josiah H. and S. R. (Simmons) Gill, natives of Chester District, S.
C., and Virginia respectively.  The father was a merchant and planter, and
moved from Hall County to Floyd County, Ga., where he engaged in business for
a number of years at Cave Sprint.  He afterward moved to Louisiana (1868),
located in Homes and embarked in merchandising, which he carried on until his
death, which occurred in 1878.  He was a prominent man, and served as a member
of the Legislature in Georgia.  He was also prominent in Masonic affairs.  His
wife died in 1855.  He was twice married, his second wife being the mother of
our subject, and of the four children born to this union that grew to mature
years G. G. Gill was the second in order of birth.  Only two brothers and one
sister are now surviving.  G. G. Gill attained his growth in Georgia, and in
March, 1862, he enlisted in the First Georgia Cavalry, serving until the close
of the war, first as private and then as orderly sergeant.  He participated in
several important battles, first Richmond, Ky., Murfreesboro, Chickamanga,
Knoxville, and from Dalton to Atlanta.  He was then at Savannah, then at
Raleigh, and surrendered at Kingston, Ga.  Mr. Gill received a good education
at Cave Spring Institute, and remained in Georgia up to 1867, when in
September of that year he moved to Louisiana, locating at Homer, where he
clerked in a store with a half brother, W. B. Gill, who established business
there in 1853.  The Gill House is the oldest established house in this town. 
Mr. Gill continued with his brother up to 1870, when he and his father bought
out the brother's one-half interest, and continued the business here.  Since
then there have been a number of changes, and Mr. Gill took the entire
business in January, 1878.  He has a large two-story brick business house,
also two warehouses, and carries a very large and complete stock of goods.  He
is doing an immense business, and is also buying and dealing in cotton.  He
carries a large stock of general merchandise, including drugs, furniture,
hardware, harness, saddlery, sash and blinds, doors, etc.  He is doing an
exceedingly good business, and has deservedly gained a reputation as a
straightforward, enterprising businessman.  He devoted his entire time and
energy to his business, conducts his affairs on strict principles, and the
success crowning his efforts is but a natural consequence.  To-day he is the
owner and at the head of the largest retail business in Northwest Louisiana. 
Mr. Gill, an active worker for the cause of education here, bought out the old
college at a sheriff's sale, and forming a stock company succeeded in getting
the college in a flourishing condition.  He has given the college and the
cause his hearty support, and is at the present time president of the board of
directors.  He is a member of the K. of P., and an active member of that
order.  Mr. Gill was married in December, 1870, to Miss Lizzie E., Daughter of
J. M. White, who was born in Sumter County, Ga., and was reared and educated
in Louisiana.  The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Gill are named as follows: R.
Shelton (aged sixteen), Ernest, Clarence and Edgar.  One daughter died in
early childhood, and the oldest, Lilla Mai Gill, died September 21, 1889, at
the age of seventeen years.  Mr. and Mrs. Gill are worthy and esteemed members
of the Methodist Church.

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