PORTRAIT AND         
BIOGRAPHICAL
ALBUM
OF
LINN COUNTY, IOWA,

CONTAINING

Full Page Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent
And Representative Citizens of the County.

TOGETHER WITH

PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE GOVERNORS OF IOWA, AND
OF THE PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES.

VOLUME II

CHICAGO:
CHAPMAN BROTHERS,
1887.

************

GEORGE D. GILLILAN, ex-sheriff of Linn County, is a resident of the village of Waubeek, and a prominent and influential citizen. He is a native of West Virginia, born in Mason County, Feb, 11, 1836, his parents being Samuel and Elizabeth A. (Holloway) Gillilan, natives of Virginia. They married and settled in Mason County, W. Va., where they remained until 1849, and then, desirous of bettering their condition, they gathered together their effects, turned their faces westward and settled in Linn County, locating upon the site of what is now the town of Viola. The father was a farmer by occupation, which pursuit he followed in this State. They remained upon the site of their first location until the decease of the father, which occurred in December, 1875; the mother survives, and is a resident of Viola. Their union was blessed by the birth of nine children – Joseph, George D., Mary A., Frances, Jane, Henry P., Ellen, Paulina C. and Luella K.
    George D. Gillilan was a lad of thirteen years old when his parents came to Linn County. He attended the public schools, and completed his studies in the Academy at Fairview, Jones County, remaining with his parents until he was twenty-three years old, when he started out to carry on business for himself. He rented a tract of land in Brown Township, upon which he remained two years, in the meantime being married. From there he removed to Maine Township, and rented another farm, where he followed agricultural pursuits two more years, and then rumors of war began to be heard in the land, and he enlisted as a soldier to fight for the Union, becoming a member of Co. F., 20th Iowa Vol. Inf., Aug. 11, 1862, and continued in the service until the close of the war. Shortly after enlistment he was promoted Sergeant. He participated in all the engagements of his company, receiving no injury, and was mustered out at Mobile, Ala., July 9, 1865.
    As soon as Mr. Gillilan became a civilian again, he returned to Linn County, and engaged in the lumber business at Viola, in company with Thomas Irving. This partnership existed eight months, when Mr. Gillilan disposed of his interest in the business, and engaged in mercantile business with W. R. Peet, under the firm name of Peet & Gillilan. They operated together about one year, when Mr. G. sold out his interest in the business and went to Tama County, where he remained about a year. He then returned to Viola, and became occupied in mercantile business, continuing thus employed for two years, when he sold out and accepted the proposition of his father to take charge of the latter’s farm, but on account of failing health he was obliged to abandon this after two years. This was in the fall of 1873, when he was nominated for Sheriff of Linn County, and elected over H. D. Newland by a majority of 640 votes. Two years thereafter he was re-elected over Terry Brokaw, by a majority of 1,400 votes. He served as Sheriff of Linn County for four years, and after his last term of office had expired he engaged in the dry-goods business at Marion for two years. He then sold out, went to Colorado, and engaged in mining, which speculation proved disastrous to all concerned. In about one year thereafter he returned to Marion, and engaged in the life insurance business, being appointed District Manager for the Centennial Mutual Life Association of Burlington, Iowa, for two years. In the fall of 1882 he severed his connection with this association and removed to Waubeek, where he has since been engaged in fire insurance and the sale of monuments. In connection with his other business transactions, Mr. Gillilan is also agent for Gen. Grant’s “Memoirs,” in Linn County.
    The marriage of Mr. Gillilan and Miss Ordelia A. Barret occurred Jan. 12, 1860, in Maine Township. Mrs. Gillilan is the daughter of George and Mary C. (Ferrin) Barret, natives of New Hampshire. They first settled in Erie County, N. Y., where they remained until 1857, when they came to this State, making their first location in College Township, whence they afterward removed to Maine Township. Here the father died, March 27, 1882; the mother survives, and is a resident of Maine Township. They came from an excellent family, and were noted for high moral principles and worth of character. Their union resulted in the birth of ten children – Phillip, Enos, Manley, George W., Jane C., Ordelia A., Lydia S., George Washington, William O. and Arvilla. Mrs. Ordelia A. Gillilan is a native of Erie County, N. Y., and was born Feb. 22, 1829. By her union with our subject she has become the mother of five children – Charles H., Estella J., Nellie E., Frank D. and Floy. Of this little group the three eldest are deceased, and the remainder are living with their parents at home.
    In addition to more important public positions, Mr. Gillilan has held the offices of Township Trustee and Assessor. Mr. Gillilan is a member and Commander of Marvin Mills Post No. 212, G.A.R., also of Springfield Lodge No. 139, A. F. & A.M., and Marion Chapter, R.A.M., and is also a member of Patmos Commandery No. 27, K.of T., stationed at Marion. He is Republican in politics, decided in his views, and casts his vote for those principles which he believes to be the only ones which will safely perpetuate our excellent system of government. Mrs. G. is an amiable and excellent lady, highly esteemed in the social circle of which she is a member, and is connected with the Congregational Church.

                                                                                 -transcription by Kate Maynard, 2012