Kate’s notes:  In a biography of George D. Gillilan published in 1887, there were two other children listed as being born to Samuel and Elizabeth Gillilan, Joseph and Frances. In this biographical sketch of Henry Gillilan, George’s brother, the names of only seven children were provided.

History

Of

Linn County Iowa

From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time
_____________

ILLUSTRATED
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Volume II
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CHICAGO
THE PIONEER PUBLISHING COMPANY
1911

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HENRY P. GILLILAN

    Henry P. Gillilan, who is now living retired in Viola, was born in West Virginia, on the 22d of August, 1845, his parents being Samuel and Elizabeth A. (Holloway) Gillilan, both natives of Virginia but pioneers of Iowa, becoming residents of Linn county in 1849. Here the father purchased land and erected thereon a log cabin of the primitive sort, covered with a clapboard roof and having a puncheon floor. In this dwelling the family lived for five years and at the end of that time a more pretentious residence was erected. Here the father died in 1874 and the mother, who long survived him, passed away January 1, 1901, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. Unto this worthy couple were born seven children, namely: George D., deceased; Mary A., the wife of F. M. Shanklin, of this county; Jane R., deceased; Henry P., of this review; Ellen S., the wife of W. R. Peat, of Iowa; Pauline C., the wife of M. D. Peat, of Nebraska; and Luella K., of this county.
    Henry P. Gillilan passed the days of his boyhood and youth upon his father’s farm, early becoming familiar with agricultural pursuits and experiencing the hardships and privations of pioneer life. His education was acquired in the public schools of the neighborhood.  Feeling that his country needed his services, at the age of nineteen he enlisted in Company L, Seventh Iowa Cavalry, and served for two years, participating is several engagements but never being wounded. He was then honorably discharged and mustered out at Sioux City, Iowa.
    Returning home, Mr. Gillilan remained under the parental roof until his marriage, which was celebrated October 17, 1866, Miss Hattie Hodgin, a native of Ohio, becoming his wife. Her parents were William C. and Margaret Hodgin. Five children blessed this union, namely:  Aurie E., the wife of E. J. Wilson, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Archie W., a resident of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota; Samuel D., of Stone City, Iowa; William H., of Cedar Rapids; and Nellie, at home. The mother of these children died on the 25th of November, 1902, and was laid to rest in the Wilcox cemetery. Mr. Gillilan was again married December 5, 1903, his second union being with Mrs. Ruth (Parsons) Bowdish, who was born in Jones county, Iowa, on the 10th of February, 1852, a daughter od Silas and Susan (Hazelwigg) Parsons. Her parents were natives of Kentucky and both are now deceased.
    On starting out in life for himself Mr. Gillilan engaged in agricultural pursuits on rented land for a few years and then filled the office of deputy sheriff of Linn county for three years.  As a Republican he has taken a very active and prominent part in public affairs and is now serving his sixteenth year as township assessor. He served as deputy in the county clerk’s office for thirteen months and was guard at the penitentiary for eight years. However, the greater part of his life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits and he is still the owner of forty-two acres of land in Brown township besides his pleasant residence in Viola, where he now makes his home.  He is an honored member of the Grand Army post at Springville and his wife holds membership in the Presbyterian church. He is a worthy representative of a well known pioneer family of this county and is now enjoying a rest to which he is justly entitled, for his life has been an upright and honorable one.

                                                                                -transcription by Kate Maynard, 2012