GILLILAN BIOGRAPHIES, Henry County, Missouri ==================================================================== GILLILAN, James B. - b: 1861 Bogard Twp, Henry Co, MO source: 1919 History of Henry Co MO, Uel W. Lamkin, Historical Publishing Co - page: 432 residence: Bogard Twp James B. Gillilan. The Gillilan family is one of the oldest and most honored of the pioneer families of Henry County whose members have been active and influential in the civic affairs of this county for nearly sixty years. They are descended from old American stock whose ancestors have been noted for their patriotism and each generation of this family have been pioneers in some undeveloped part of this country. The beginning of the family in America is traced to the Gillilans of North Carolina of whom James Gillilan, great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a member. He emigrated from Ireland in 1750. This James Gillilan was a soldier of the Revolution and was a pioneer of Greenbrier County, West Virginia. The history of Greenbrier County states that he cut the first roadway up the Kanawha River Valley and drove the first wagon into Greenbrier County over one hundred years ago. James Gillilan was a native of the North Ireland country and was of Scotch-Irish descent, his forebears having emigrated from Scotland to the north of Ireland many, many years ago to escape religious persecution. George Gillilan, grandfather of James B. Gillilan, was born and reared in Greenbrier County, Virginia, and served in the War of 1812. His son, Judge James T. Gillilan, father of J. B. Gillilan, was born in 1829 and died May 9, 1877. He was born and reared in Greenbrier County, Virginia, and migrated to Henry County in 1856. He purchased a tract of land in Bogard township which he developed into a splendid farm, became well-to-do and was prominently identified with Henry County affairs. During the Civil War the family removed to Davis County, Missouri, and remained in that county for three years, returning to the home in Henry County after conditions had returned to normal. Mr. Gillilan was elected to the office of county judge in 1874 and served one term as presiding judge of the County Court. He was married to Amanda E. McClung, who bore him children as follows: Harvey, died in youth; Mrs. Mary A. Wright, lives in California; James B., subject of this review; Amanda E., or "Bettie," wife of W. R. Menafee, resides in White Oak township; George William is deceased, and John Franklin is deceased. Mrs. Amanda E. (McClung) Gillilan was born in 1832 and departed this life in 1868. She was a daughter of Bollar McClung, a native of Scotland, whose mother was an English lady named Bollar. He married a woman of French descent whose ancestors came to America from France early in the eighteenth century. James B. Gillilan was born April 11, 1861, in Bogard township. He received his education in the Urich district school and has always been a farmer and stockman. He left home in 1884 and located in Davis County, Missouri, where he became owner of a farm of one hundred fifty acres, which was a part of the family estate in that county. In February of 1902 he sold his holdings in Davis County and purchased land in Walker township, which he improved to a considerable extent. Fire destroyed his residence and some other buildings in 1907 and he has since rebuilt the residence and barns, the Gillilan home place now being one of the most attractive and best improved farms in the county. Mr. Gillilan is owner of five hundred eighty-five acres of land, five hundred five acres of which are located in Henry County and eighty acres are situated just over the line in Bates County, Missouri. April 25, 1883, James B. Gillilan and Miss Mary A. Nelson were united in marriage and to this marriage have been born children as follow: James W., a successful farmer in White Oak township, married Iva Dale; Lee A., born February 12, 1888, died at Clinton, Missouri, May 2, 1918, and who at the time of his death was serving as deputy county recorder and was a candidate for the office of recorder, married Etta Gregg, left one child; Virgil P., a farmer in Walker township, married Orpha Hunt; Gilbert B., a farmer just over the line in Bates County, married Stella Horton; Mrs. Robina Gregg, whose husband is engaged in the hardware and implement business at Urich, Missouri; Mrs. Mamie Calvird, Davis township; three sons died in infancy. The mother of the foregoing children was born in Christian County, Illinois, November 22, 1863, the daughter of William C. and Jane (Finney) Nelson. The parents of W. C. Nelson were natives of Tennessee and were pioneers in Christian County, Illinois. W. C. Nelson and Jane Finney were married in 1860 and resided in south Missouri during the Civil War period. In 1863 they located in Sangamon County, Illinois, and then returned to Christian County In 1864, removing from there to Henry County in 1879. Mr. Nelson made a permanent settlement on a farm in White Oak township three miles southeast of Urich. Their children were as follow: T. L. Nelson, was an attorney, deceased; John W., lives in Kansas; Mildred C., deceased; Maggie, died in youth, and Mrs. J. B. Gillilan. The Democratic party has always had the steadfast allegiance of Mr. Gillilan, who is a pronounced Bryan Democrat of the old school. He has served as member of the Walker township board of trustees. He and Mrs. Gillilan are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Well informed upon most matters of general interest, intelligent, a constant reader, a true American citizen of the highest and best type, progressive to a considerable degree, James B. Gillilan is one of the leading citizens of Henry County who is universally respected and admired by all who know him. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by the Henry County MOGenWeb http://www.rootsweb.com/~mohenry/henryco.html Contact the Henry County Coordinator for comments or corrections. ====================================================================