HISTORY

OF

MERCER COUNTY,

PENNSYLVANIA

ITS PAST AND PRESENT

INCLUDING

ITS ABORIGINAL HISTORY, ITS EARLY SETTLEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT;
A  DESCRIPTION OF ITS HISTORIC AND INTERESTING LOCALITIES;
SKETCHES OF ITS BOROUGHS, TOWNSHIPS AND VILLAGES;
NEIGHBORHOOD AND FAMILY HISTORIES; PORTRAITS 
AND BIOGRAPHIES OF PIONEERS AND REPRE-
SENTATIVE CITIZENS; STATISTICS, ETC.

ALSO

A CONDENSED HISTORY OF PENNSYLVANIA.
__________

ILLUSTRATED
__________

CHICAGO, ILL.:
BROWN, RUNK & CO., PUBLISHERS,
1888.

    DAVID GILLILAND, farmer, post office Sharpsville, Penn., is a son of David and Sarah (Moreland) Gilliland, and was born in 1827, in Indiana County, Penn. The father of our subject was a native of County Derry, Ireland, and immigrated to this country in 1791. His first settlement was in York County, Penn. He learned the trade of a weaver in that county, and removed to Armstrong Township, Indiana Co., Penn., where he married, his family consisting of seven children: Elizabeth, Mrs. James Gailey; James, John, Rachel, Mrs. Robert Calhoun; Mary, Sarah and David. Our subject was reared in Indiana County until he was fifteen years old, when he went to Pittsburgh, and was taught the stone-cutting trade, and folowed it for an occupation in that city until 1847, when he removed to Chicago, Ill., and remained there until 1859, when he removed to West Middlesex, Mercer County. In 1861 he enlisted in Company B, Tenth Pennsylvania Reserves, and served two years, when he was discharged for disability. While in the service he participated in the following engagements: Drainsville, seven days fight, Fair Oaks and Antietam. On his return he followed his trade in West Middlesex until 1879, when he purchased his present place and is engaged in general farming. He was married in 1863, to Miss Emily, daughter of John Thompson, of Pymatuning Township, who died October 12, 1872. By this marriage they had one son, John D., who died April 9, 1872. Our subject was again married, to Miss Jennie, daughter of John Porter, of Pymatuning Township, and by this union they have one child. Mr. Gilliland belongs to Post 234, G. A. R., of Sharpsville, is a member of the United Presbyterian Church of Clarksville, and in politics is a Republican.

-- transcription by Kate Maynard, 2011