LINCOLN
The Capital City
AND
LANCASTER COUNTY
NEBRASKA

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ILLUSTRATED
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VOLUME II
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
THE S.J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1916

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JOHN J. GILLILAN.

   John J. Gillilan, who for about twenty years was an active figure in real estate circles in Lincoln, continuing in the business up to the time of his death, was born in Algonquin, Illinois, October 4, 1854, his parents being John and Belinda Gilliland, both of whom were natives of Virginia. They removed to Illinois, however, at a very early period in the development of that state and settled on a farm at Algonquin. In 1881 they became residents of Lincoln, Nebraska, where they spent their remaining days.
   John J. Gillilan was accorded liberal educational privileges and after attending the public schools entered Oberlin college at Oberlin, Ohio, from which he was graduated in due course of time. In 1881 he became connected with business interests in Lincoln, opening a real estate office and conducting his agency until his death, which occurred twenty years later.
   On the 6th of July, 1886, Mr. Gillilan was married to Miss Susie G. Houtz, a daughter of Dr. William G. and Susan Houtz, who were natives of Pennsylvania. Her father was born in Dauphin county, that state, October 12, 1830, and was graduated from the Girard Medical School of Philadelphia. For several years he engaged in the partice of medicine with his father, Dr. William G. Houtz. In 1855 he went to Troy Grove, La Salle county, Illinois, and it was there that Mrs. Gillilan was born. For twenty-five years Dr. Houtz engaged in the practice of medicine. He had two brothers who were soldiers in the Civil war, and he was among the first physicians to reach the field after the battle of Corinth, there rendering great service by caring for the sick and wounded. He also gave valuable assistance to his country by rendering professional aid at home to the families of soldiers who were at the front and for this service he asked no financial compensation. In 1880 he removed to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he continued to make his home until his death. In this city he did not engage in general practice but confined his professional aid to old soldiers and to personal friends, among whom were the late General John M. Thayer and General Victor Vifquin. Dr. Houtz was married three times, losing his first two wives by death. He first wedded Susan Mease, and by that marriage there were born four children, of whom two died in infancy, while the other two, Mrs. Aldridge D. Kitchen and Mrs. John J. Gillilan now survive and are residents of Lincoln. The mother passed away in 1862, while the death of Dr, Houtz occurred June 30, 1906.
   To Mr. and Mrs. Gillilan were born two children: Houtz, who died December 13, 1913; and Ruth, the wife of Dr. Donald B. Steenburg, a resident of Aurora, Nebraska. Mr. Gillilan died August 22, 1901, and in his passing the community lost a representative and worthy citizen. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and in November, 1890, he was elected on that ticket to the Nebraska State Legislature, serving as a member of the general assembly during the twenty-second session. In religious faith he was a Presbyterian, while Mrs. Gilliland is a Congregationalist. She owns the fine home which she occupies at No. 1989 Harwood Avenue. Mr. Gillilan was well known as a citizen, as a representative business man, and as a loyal friend. He was devoted to the welfare of his family and found his greatest happiness when promoting their interests.

-- Contributed and transcribed by Kate Maynard, 2009.