The following is a biographical sketch of B.F. Gilliland, extracted and transcribed from....

History of Kentucky

JUDGE CHARLES KERR
Editor

BY WILLIAM ELSEY CONNELLEY
Author of “Eastern Kentucky Papers”
and
E. M. COULTER
Department of History, University of Georgia
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IN FIVE VOLUMES
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VOLUME III
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THE AMERICAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK
1922

Kate’s notes:
There is a webpage that provides a pretty thorough index to Gilliland marriages among descendants of Thomas Gilliland. 
See: http://geocities.com/blingbling109/marriages1.html
There appears to be an error in that listing for B.F. Gilliland, who is reputed to have married a Charlie M. Sisk. The name of B.F.’s wife, as recorded in The History of Kentucky, was Miss Charlena Sisk. Nor does B.F. Gilliland’s second marriage, to Eliza Hewlett in Evansville, Indiana, appear on the list of marriages.

   B. F. GILLILAND, president of the Buck Run Coal Company and bookkeeper for the St. Bernard Mining Company at St. Charles, Kentucky, is one of the well-known figures in coal mining circles of this part of the state, having been identified with his present line of business here for more than thirty-six years. While his connection with the industry has been that of an office man rather than an operator, he is familiar with every phase of the great enterprise, and his mastery of detail and comprehensive knowledge of conditions make him a valuable factor in the operation of the big mines.
   Mr. Gilliland was born on a farm three miles south of St. Charles, in Hopkins County, Kentucky, March 13, 1852, a son of A. B. and Sarah (Lindley) Gilliland. The family is of Irish origin, and the first American ancestor located in North Carolina during Colonial times. In that state, in 1788, was born Thomas Gilliland, the grandfather of B. F., an agriculturalist, who was the original pioneer of the family into Hopkins County, coming here shortly after his marriage to Martha Armstrong, also a native of North Carolina, who died in Hopkins County in 1857, when sixty-nine years of age.
   A. B. Gilliland was born in 1832 in Crittenden County, Kentucky, and was reared there and in Hopkins County, securing his education in the public schools. As a young man he adopted farming as his life work, and for a long period carried on extensive and successful operations three miles south of St. Charles. In 1872 he removed to Union County, and owned a valuable property there, making his residence at Morganfield, where his death occured in 1916. Mr. Gilliland was a republican and a deacon in the Christian Church. Always a good and loyal citizen, during the Civil war he showed his patriotism by enlisting in a volunteer infantry regiment in the Union Army, and subsequently served to the close of the great struggle. He married first Sarah Lindley, who was born in 1832, in Christian County, and died in 1853, on the farm three miles south of St.Charles.  B. F. was their only child. The second marriage of Mr. Gilliland was to Emma Lynn, who was born in Hopkins County and died in Union County. They became the parents of four children: Joseph, a merchant of Carbondale, Kentucky; Willie, a farmer, who died at Morganfield in 1900; Thomas, who is engaged in farming in that locality; and David, engaged in agricultural pursuits near Hopkinsville. Mr. Gilliland married for his third wife Mrs. Evelyn (Taylor) Neal, who was born in Union County, and they had one child, Sarah Emma, who died at the age of seven years.
   B. F. Gilliland received his early education in the rural schools of Hopkins County, later attended the public school at Madisonville, and then spent one year in the Forest Home Military School Anchorage, which he left in 1871. He next was a student at Princeton College, but left that institution in 1873 to enter the employ of the St. Bernard Mining Company at St. Charles. He started with this concern in the capacity of clerk in the company’s store, a position which he filled for one year, following which he was made weighing boss, and held that post six years. Mr. Gilliland was then made bookkeeper, a position which he has retained to the present time, his offices being in the company’s building at Main and Greenville streets. As noted, Mr. Gilliland’s knowledge of the business is extensive and comprehensive and his associates defer to his judgment in many matters of importance. He was one of the founders of the Buck Run Coal Company, of which he is president, an enterprising concern which is showing a wholesome growth and the success of which is largely due to his efforts.
   In civil matters Mr. Gilliland has always shown a constructive and helpful interest. He was formerly a member of the city council for several years, during a part of which time he served in the capacity of treasurer of that body, and all worthy civil enterprises find in him a staunch supporter. During the World war period he assisted the various movements to the extent of his ability and was a generous contributor to the various funds. He is an ex-member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He owns a modern residence on Railroad Street, one of the attractive homes of St. Charles, which is equipped with all up-to-date conveniences, including city water and electric lights.
   In 1881 Mr. Gilliland was united in marriage with Miss Charlena Sisk, of St. Charles, daughter of T. P. and Nan (Hamby) Sisk, both now deceased, Mr. Sisk having been a coal miner. Mrs. Gilliland died in 1882, at St. Charles, and in 1887 Mr.Gilliland married, at Evansville, Indiana, Miss Eliza Hewlett, daughter of Thomas and Catherine (Baldock) Hewlett, Indiana farming people, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland have one son, Max Shannon, born May 26, 1891, and now a resident of Clay, Kentucky, where he is manager of the commissary of the West Kentucky Coal Company. Max S. Gilliland entered the United States service December 5, 1917, and was sent to Camp Taylor, whence he was transferred to Canton, Ohio. He was sent overseas and spent sight months in France as a member of the Signal Corps, and, returning to this country, was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service in April, 1919.

Transcribed by Kate Maynard, 2008.