Kate’s Notes:  Ernest A. Gilliland was born at Fulton County, Illinois to John A. and Lucinda (Owen) Gilliland, the former born in Missouri. The 1870 census for Fulton County shows John and Lucinda with sons James, 15, Charles, 12, Ernest, 10 and Edwin, 4. This line descends from Hiram A. Gilliland, a native of North Carolina who moved to Missouri. A biography of John A. Gilliland can be found in the Gilliland Trails library archives.

Janesville Daily Gazette
Janesville, Wisconsin
6 August, 1923

SUCCESSOR TO MARION GREETED
Rev. E. A. Gilliland In First
Sermon as Pastor of
Christian Church

    A Sunday school attendance of 140 and a good sized congregation at the morning church services greeted the Rev. E. A. Gilliland when he began his work as pastor of the First Christian Church here Sunday.
    The new minister did not make any direct reference to affairs of his predecessor, Rev. Leland L. Marion, but in discussing from the pulpit the reasons why he had decided to accept the call to the local church, he referred to the “great difficulties” to be overcome and said that on the occasion of his visit here three weeks ago, he had been impressed with the courage and faith of the church officers and the creditable number of members in attendance at services on that day.
Not Easy Job.
    “If I had been looking for an easy job,” said Mr. Gilliland, “I would not have come to Janesville but if we all exemplify the spirit of service and self-sacrifice, I believe we can build up the work in a manner that will exalt Christ in this community.”
    The subject of the morning sermon was “The Challenge of the Cross,” which the minister said was a challenge to love, faith and self-sacrifice. At the evening service he discussed the subject, “Courageous Following,” and declared, “You must go forward without fear for while you wait, Christ is being crucified.”
Moves This Week.
    Mr. Gilliland returned Monday to Normal, Ill.  He expects to move here next week, and will preach both morning and evening next Sunday. The parsonage at 228 South Main street is undergoing repairs and improvements.

-transcription by Kate Maynard, 2013