"Portrait and biographical album of Coles County, Illinois"
  
WilliamA. Gilmer farm
ILLIAM A. GILMER, who, with his family, resides on section 8, in North Okaw Township, has been a resident of this county for the last seventeen years. His first recollections are of Russell County, Va., where his birth took place April 22, 1843. His father and grandfather had always been residents of that region, where both were born. The latter spent his entire life in Russell County engaged in farming pursuits, and departed this life the same year that our subject was born. He was three times married. The first wife became the mother of six children, and after her death, Grandfather Gilmer made a division of his land among his four sons, giving the daughters their portion of the property in hard cash. He was at that, time the owner of 1,440 acres of land and a large number of slaves. Of his second marriage there were born five children, and at the death of his second wife he made another division of his property, thus wisely settling his estate so there could be nothing for his heirs to quarrel over. Of his third marriage there were no children. His son William, by the first wife, became a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Isaac, the third child, became the father of our subject.
Isaac Gilmer was born in Russell County, Va., in December, 1800. He was educated in the subscription schools of his native county and remained under the parental roof until the death of his mother. He received for his share of the property the home farm, the father removing to another part of the county. Isaac Gilmer did not marry until forty years of age, and then took for his wife Miss Mary Hendricks, their wedding taking place in the spring of 1840. Mrs. Gilmer was also born in Russell County, Va., and was the daughter of Anderson and Elizabeth (Scott) Hendricks. Isaac Gilmer spent his entire life on the homestead where he was born, his death taking place in 1876. The mother still lives and occupies the old homestead. She is now well advanced in years and has retained her mental faculties remarkably. For many years she has been an active and devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The twelve children born of the parental union were: Martha, William A., of our sketch; Elizabeth; James K. P., who died when nine years of age; Anderson, Thomas, Mary, Rebecca, Isaac A., Annie, George and Carrie. All are residents of the Old Dominion with the exception of our subject and his sister Mary; the latter is the wife of McCagha Philips, and resides in Kansas. Three of the daughters are at home with their mother.
Our subject was educated in the common schools of his native county and remained with his parents until eighteen years of age. Then, upon the out- break of the Rebellion, he enlisted in Co. G, 29th Va. Vol. Inf., under command of Gen. Longstreet, serving three years and until the close of the war. Afterward he returned to his father’s house and assisted in the farm work on the homestead until the fall of 1867. He then turned his steps north-westward, and taking up his residence in North Okaw Township, this county, worked one year by the month. He was married in September, 1870, to Mrs. Emeline Stewart, who was born in this county, Nov. 28, 1838, and is the daughter of Henry and Jane (Jesse) Fuller. Her parents were born in Russell County, Va., her father April 1, 1792, and her mother April 19, 1796. They were reared in their native county and married there Jan. 20, 1814. Eighteen years later they emigrated to this State, and taking up their residence in North Okaw Township, continued here the remainder of their days.
Mr. and Mrs. Fuller were people who enjoyed the highest respects of the community and were among the warmest supporters of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Henry Fuller was Justice of the Peace for several years, and took a genuine interest in the various enterprises having for their object the welfare and progress of the people at large. The household circle included eleven children, namely, Samuel, Rebecca, Mary, Abraham, Catherine, Nancy, Archer, Wilson V., Leah, David H. and Emeline. With the exception of Mrs. Gilmer, all were born in Virginia. All lived to years of maturity, but only three are now living Nancy, Leah and Emeline. At the time of her marriage with our subject Mrs. Gilmer owned ninety acres of land and a set of farm buildings which she occupied, and which had been the property of her second husband and her father’s estate. She was first married to Milton Jackson, of Coles County, and became the mother of four children Henry B., Samuel J., William W. and Milton M. Her second husband was Anderson Stewart; of this union there were no children.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Gilmer presents a picture of plenty and comfort. The residence, which is a substantial frame structure, and a view of which is presented in this work, stands back from the road in the midst of a fine natural grove, which affords delightful shade in the summer and a shelter from the cold winds of winter. The household has been brightened by the birth of five children, as follows: Mary J., was born July 19, 1872; Nancy C., Feb. 14, 1874; Charles H., born Oct. 21, 1876, died Jan. 9,1879; Emma M. was born Nov. 2, 1878, and Albert R. A., Nov. 10, 1883. Mr. Gilmer is a stanch adherent to the Democratic party, has represented his township in the County Board of Supervisors two terms, has been Assessor one term, and School Director for the last twelve years.
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