BIO:  John C. Gemmill, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
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History of York County, Pennsylvania.  John Gibson, Historical Editor.
Chicago: F. A. Battey Publishing Co., 1886.
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Part II, Biographical Sketches, Hopewell Township, Pg 112

JOHN C. GEMMILL, son of Joseph and Margaret (Collins) Gemmill, was born April 4, 
1822.  His great-grandfather, William Gemmill, was a native of Scotland and 
immigrated to America some time previous to 1750, settling in Hopewell Township, 
York Co., Penn., a part formerly known as Shrewsbury Township, taking up about 
1,000 acres of land.  Joseph Gemmill, father of John C., was born April 26, 1794, 
on the farm now occupied by his son.  He was at one time engaged in distilling 
liquors.  He reared six children, of whom John C. was the eldest, and who was 
brought up on the farm.  Joseph Gemmill, who had been in the war of 1812, died in 
1868, and at his death the farm of 200 acres came into possession of his son, 
John C., who in the same year was married to Rosanna McKinley, daughter of 
Stephen McKinley, of Chanceford Township.  They have four children:  Ulysses C., 
Jeanetta B., A. A., Ada, and John M.  Mr. Gemmill was drafted during the late 
war, in 1861, but was exempted on account of disability.  He is a member of the 
Masonic Lodge of Shrewsbury, and the family are members of the Presbyterian 
Church of Stewartstown.  He has a clock in his possession which was made by John 
Gemmill, in Carlisle; it belonged to his great-grandfather, and has always 
remained in the family.