Kate’s Notes: The Robert Gilliland of this biographical sketch was father to inventor Ezra Torrance Gilliland. You can read more about Ezra in the forum thread, “Edison’s Forgotten Partner: Ezra Torrance Gilliland”. A transcription of Ezra’s obituary is in the collection of our library.

HISTORY

OF

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY

INDIANA;

TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ITS CITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS, EDU-
CATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, CIVIL, MILITARY AND POLITICAL HISTORY;
PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES
OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

_________________

HISTORY OF INDIANA,

EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE PRE-HISTORIC RACES, ABORIGINES, FRENCH,
ENGLISH AND AMERICAN CONQUESTS, AND A GENERAL REVIEW
OF ITS CIVIL, POLITICAL AND MILITARY HISTORY.

_______________________

ILLUSTRATED

_______________________

CHICAGO:
CHAS. C. CHAPMAN & CO.,
1880

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

   Robert Gilliland was born in Seneca, Ontario county, N.Y., Aug. 1, 1822. His parents were Thomas and Jane (Carson) Gilliland. He was brought up on a farm, and was early employed in lumbering, as this was a part of his father’s vocation. He came to Hudson, Mich., in 1863, where he worked in a spoke factory for six and one-half years. He was married Oct. 10, 1844, to Miss Caroline Torrance, by whom he has had 8 children; of these, 7 are living: Ezra T., James F., Wm. T., Maria A., Agnes O., Emma J. and Donna B. The first three are connected with the telegraph manufactory at Indianapolis, and Ezra T. was a co-laborer with Edison for two and one-half years, rendering him valuable aid. Mr. Gilliland owns an interest in Edison’s electric pen.

Also in this same book, page 795, among the business listings for the county....

   Telegraph Insulator Manufactory. -- This is of recent advent into Mishawaka. It was removed from Hudson, Mich., to this place in the summer of 1880, by Robert Gilliland. The business is a thriving one, and adds material wealth to Mishakawa.

-- Contributed and transcribed by Kate Maynard, 2009.