Kate's Notes: Elgina Louisa Gilleland was the ninth of twelve children born to Sarah Johns(t)on, born 24 Apr 1800, Culpepper Co., Va; died Jackson County, Ohio, 24 Aug 1874, and John Berrisford Gilleland, born 8 Mar 1777 in Belfast, Tyrone Co., Ireland; died at Jackson County, Ohio, on 25 Jun 1849.
    For more information on this family line, see the thread "John B Gilleland" under Gilliland Families of the U. S. and Canada on the Gilliland Trails forum.
    Why Elgina's name appeared in her obituary as Gilliland rather than Gilleland is unknown.

The Jackson Standard Journal
Jackson, Ohio
Aug 9, 1916. 

ELGINA STEPHENSON

    The shortest life is long enough if it lead to a better, and the longest life is too short if it do not. -- Colton
    Elgina Louise Gilliland, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Beresford Gilliland was born in Franklin township, Jackson county, Ohio, August 6th, 1829, and departed this life Sunday, July 30, 1916, aged 86 years, 11 months and 23 days.
    She was married to Samuel Stephenson January 22, 1852. Ten years later, in the trying time of the Civil War, she bid adieu to her husband, to serve his country’s cause, in the 8th Ohio Sharp Shooters. Upon his return, at the close of the war, he resumed the peaceful avocation of a farmer with his family, at the old home until his death, which occurred April 6, 1883.
    To this union ten children were born, all of whom survive except Martha, who died Nov. 9, 1882, at the age of 24 years, leaving a son Allie Stiffler of this city, and a dughter Gettie, now Mrs. S. M. Brown of Columbus, who when 4 years old, became a member of and was reared with the family.
    Her sons, five of whom attended her funeral, Truett E., Charles A. and George W. of this city; Wm. H. of Davisville and Louis H. of Oklahoma. Thos. G. of Bokoshe, Okla, was not able to attend. Her three surviving daughters are Mrs. Wm. Green of Coal township, Mrs. Hugh B. Smith of Liberty township, and Mrs. G. W. Harbarger of Jackson, with whom she has made her home for the last thirty four years. She leaves also, twenty nine grandchildren and twenty four great grandchildren.
    She was a sister of Thomas Gilliland the first passenger train conductor on the Portsmouth branch of the M & C railroad, and her demise marks the passing of the last member of the family.
    She has lived her entire life in Jackson county. She wrote a legible hand; she read much, and for the last three years she did not require the aid of glasses. She was a devout and consistent member of the church from early childhood, and her life and character developed and matured under the hallowing power of the Christian religion. She loved her home; its associations were very dear to her, and in them she found that responsive kindness which her gentle confiding nature craved.
    The excellent qualities of her womanhood, the nobility of her spirit, and the fidelity of her life won for her a large circle of friends who are greatly saddened by her death and will long feel the sorrow of her absence.
    She died in the triumph, of a living faith. Her ransomed soul has quit this vale of tears, and has entered the land of light.
“God’s law is absolute and just,
To him who follows in faith and trust.” 
                                       G. W. H.
    The funeral of Mrs. Stephenson was held on Tuesday, Aug. 1, and the remains were laid away at Pleasant Grove near her old home, with F. P. Vorhis as undertaker.

-- Obituary contributed by Wayne Gilleland and transcribed by Kate Maynard, 2011