Pioneer History of Wise County

From Red Men to Railroads--
Twenty Years of Intrepid History

BY
CLIFF D. GATES
Compiled under the auspices of the Wise County
Old Settlers’ Association

DECATUR, TEXAS
1907.

Press of Nixon-Jones Printing Company
Saint Louis, Mo.

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JOHN S. GILLILAND

came into Wise County in what may be defined as the last year of the pioneer period, which was 1874, the year of the Huff family massacre by the Indians. He came to Decatur from Arkansas, but lived formerly in Collin County, Texas, to which county he came from Missouri, the state of his birth. He was born at Old Bailey’s landing, on the Mississippi river, the place then being called Lincoln, the date being January 31, 1845. His father, A. J. Gilliland, was a blacksmith, and was twice married, having four children by each union. John S. was the second son of the first group. His father came to Collin County in 1853, locating on David’s Ridge, west of McKinney, near the Dallas and Preston roads. In 1867*, at the age of 16, John S. enlisted in Co. D, 6th Texas cavalry, afterwards Ross’ regiment, the first volunteer organization to leave Collin County. Later on he was exempted from service on account of his youth, but returned to Collin County and rejoined Throckmorton’s company. He then participated in campaigns in Arkansas and Louisiana. In June, 1863, he was taken prisoner at Butler, La., and confined at New Orleans for eight months, when he escaped under the most thrilling and dramatic circumstances. He rejoined his company the day following the Pleasant Hill fight in Louisiana. He then obtained a furlough and came home. His father had in the meantime moved to Grayson County. Mr. Gilliland then spent eight years in Arkansas, in Washington County, in which State he married Jane Kinnebrough in February, 1866. In 1874 he came to Decatur, locating on the eastern edge of town, and two years later opened a blacksmith and woodworking shop, which occupation he has followed continuously and successfully since. At an early period he served Decatur a term or two as city marshall. He is a quiet, unpretentious gentleman, and conscientious and persistent workman, and a first-class citizen, being admired and respected by all. Mr. and Mrs. Gilliland have reared a bright, healthy family of children, now all married and prosperous, named as follows: Jim, the oldest son, of Comanche County, Ok.; Almer, of Roan’s Prairie, Texas; Porter, La Grange, Texas; Minnie, wife of Conductor White, C.R.I.& P. Ry.; Walter, associated with his father at Decatur; Roy, at Fort Worth.

*As John was 16 at the time of his enlistment, the year he joined the Texas cavalry had to be 1861 or 1862, not 1867 as was printed in the book.  The 6th Cavalry Regiment [also called 2nd Regiment] was organized with 1,150 men at Dallas,  Texas, in September, 1861.

-- transcribed by Kate Maynard, 2009