Walter A. Gilman Source: WEST VIRGINIA In History, Life, Literature and Industry The Lewis Publishing Company 1928 - Volume 5 - page 8 Walter A. Gilman, chief clerk of the Pure Oil Company at Cabin Creek Junction, and a veteran of the World war, is one of the live young business men at Kanawha County, and one whose abilities have won him the standing in his company and community to which he is entitled. he was born at Long Branch, New Jersey, September 2, 1895, a son of Fred and Julia (Hoyt) Gilman. Fred Gilman was born, reared and educated at Cincinnati, Ohio and his educational training was carried through the high school. During all of his active life he was connected with the Pullman Car Company, and for a number of years held the position of superintendent. Now seventy-nine years old he is living in comfortable retirement at Chicago, Illinois. His wife was born and reared at Long Branch, New Jersey, and its public schools educated her. For a few years prior to her marriage she was a school teacher, and an excellent one, and she never lost her interest in educational matters, but was a vital force in the cultural life of any community in which she resided, as well as in the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she long was a member. For many years she was an honored member of the Hartwell Woman's Club. Her death occurred March 4, 1923, and she is buried at Long Branch, New Jersey. Three children were born to the parents, of whom Walter A. was the youngest, the others being: Georgie, who married Frank Armstrong, of Chicago, general manager of the Pratt & Whitney Tool Company, and has one son, William; and Hoyt Gilman, who resides at Long Branch, and is with the Chrysler Sales Company. He married and has one son. The public schools of Cincinnati, Ohio, furnished Walter A. Gilman with his educational training, and he was graduated from high school in 1916. Like so many of the young men of the country, Mr. Gilman felt the urge of patriotism when his country entered the World war, and he enlisted in its army and was sent to Camp Sheridan, Alabama, where he was assigned to the One Hundred and Forty-seventh Infantry. he went with his unit overseas to France, and, after some intensive training, saw service in the Argonne-Meuse offensive and other sectors. While in France he attended the Officers' Training School and was commissioned a second lieutenant, assigned to the Fifth Division, and still later was attached to the headquarters of General Castner. Returned to the United States, he was honorably discharged at Camp Sherman, Ohio, August 11, 1919. On August 25 of the same year Mr. Gilman entered the employ of the Pure Oil Company at Cabin Creek as clerk in its warehouse and held that position until 1920, when he was promoted to the position of shipping clerk. In 1925 he was made chief clerk, and still is serving in that capacity. His promotions have come to him by reason of his faithful performance of duty, and his ability to handle whatever is given him to do. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the American legion. In political faith he is a Republican, but he has never sought office. Since his youth he has been an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. On June 11, 1920, Mr. Gilman married at East Bank, West Virginia, Miss Alice Pryor, who was graduated from the high school of East Bank in 1917. She is a daughter of James and Mary Porter (Bricker) Pryor, of East Bank, where for many years he has been the leading undertaker, and a prominent citizen. The Pryor family is one of those that pioneered here in early days, and its members have always taken an active part in the development work of this region. Mrs. Gilman is a vital force in church and community work, and is a lady who has a host of friends both at Cabin Creek and in her old home. Mr. and Mrs. Gilman have on son, James Pryor Gilman. Mr. Gilman has great faith in the future of West Virginia, and is especially interested in that part of it that is now the scene of his endeavors. he believes that the state is entering an era of great prosperity, and that the development of its natural resources has barely commenced. Transcribed by: (MRS GINA M REASONER), 1999 USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation.