submitted by Robert Doyle

A “First Family” of Macoupin County IL

JOHN C GILLIES (JOHN 1) was born November 30, 1820 in Dalry, Ayrshire, Scotland, and died February 09, 1908 in Woodburn Macoupin Co IL. He married (1) MARTHA FRANCES SMITH May 27, 1855 in Bunker Hill Macoupin Co IL, daughter of Walter Smith and Catherine Hall. He married (2) MARY BANNISTER 1875.

Notes

John Gillies born Dalry, Ayrshire,Scotland 30 Nov, 1820. Arrived in U S 1848 to Edwardsville, IL- Moved to Bunker Hill, IL and then in 1856 to Woodburn, IL. Married Martha Frances Smith on 27 May, 1855 possibly in Bunker Hill.

John volunteered for service in the Civil War, enlisting in 1862 in Company A, 97th Illinois Infantry and was in the Battle of Vicksburgh. He was mustered out in 1865.

He is listed in the Dalry, Scotland census 1841 as 20 years old and though his birth is listed in one place as 1823, the Dalry census and his obituary gives it as 1820. The 1900 Illinois census lists him as a boarder in the home of his daughter, Ann (Mrs James) Greer but her name is listed as Martha.

He was married to Martha Smith for 19 years, till she died in 1874. He re-married to Mary Bannister in 1875 and she died in 1885. John died at the age of 87 in 1908 at the home of his daughter, presumably Ann. He was survived by two daughters and two sons.

John was a Mason and they were in charge of the graveside services in Woodburn.

Children of John Gillies and Martha Smith are:

i. ANNE MARION GILLIES, b. April 12, 1856, Bunker Hill Macoupin Co IL; m. JAMES GREER, November 18, 1875.

ii. JOHN ALEXANDER GILLIES, b. December 04, 1858, Woodburn Macoupin Co IL; m. MALINDA EVELYN MAXWELL, February 14, 1883.

iii. MARION COCHRANE GILLIES, b. August 06, 1862, Woodburn Macoupin Co IL; m. WILLIAM HENRY MAXWELL, October 11, 1885.

iv. WALTER CRICHER GILLIES, b. February 23, 1867, Woodburn Macoupin Co IL; d. September 01, 1867, Woodburn Macoupin Co IL.

v. FRANCES ISABELL GILLIES, b. January 16, 1870, Woodburn Macoupin Co IL; d. May 03, 1906, Peoria Peoria Co IL; m. HARRY E BULLMAN.

vi. EDWIN MORRIS GILLIES, b. March 17, 1873, Woodburn Macoupin Co IL.

For more information on this family, contact:

Robert Doyle
1419 Havenhurst Dr #3
West Hollywood, CA 90046




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