W. A. Gilmore was born January 25, 1863, at the house of his grandfather, Wilson Gilmore, seven miles south of Bolivar, Mo. At the age of two years he was left an orphan, and was the only child of Wm. B. and Rachel E. Gilmore. His opportunities for an education were very limited. When grown to maturity he wandered considerably. He went to Butte City, Montana, but returned to Missouri. He married Miss Emma C. Apperson November 16, 1884. Their children are Lola M., born September 3, 1885; Oma C., born November 4, 1889; Wm. R., born April 25, 1893; Paul P., born February 39, 1896. Wm. A. professed religion on the third Sunday night in January, 1891, under the preaching of Eld. Jno. C. Thompson and Eld. S. S. Pike at Frog Pond school house; joined church at Providence April 26, 1891; baptized by Eld. S. S. Pike. Licensed, and afterward, on the 6th of August, 1893, ordained, at the call of the same church, the presbytery Elds. E. D. Fortner, J. W. Mayfield, W. B. Epps, D. P. Brockus, sr., J. M. Looney and S. S. Pike. The first pastorate was at Enon, beginning October, 1894. |
