Kate’s Notes: Lewis McClellan Gillilan was another noted descendant from the tree of James Gillilan, Jr. and wife Margaret (Boggs). Brothers Strickland Gillilan and James David Gillilan have been profiled elsewhere on Gilliland Trails and the obituary for another brother, Dr. E.E. Gillilan, can be found in the library’s collection of obituaries. An historical profile of a sister, Mrs. Adeline (Gillilan) Gettles and her husband, is in the process of transcription.

From The Salt Lake Tribune, Friday morning, September 20, 1935

LEWIS GILLILAN, VETERAN UTAH EDUCATOR, DIES

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Rites Set for Saturday, With Presbyterian Pastor in Charge

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   Lewis McClellan Gillilan, veteran Utah educator, died in his home at 160 First avenue shortly before noon Thursday. He was 72 years of age, and for the last 50 years had been a teacher and associated with educational work in various other capacities.
   Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 4 p.m. in the First Presbyterian church, C and South Temple streets, by the Rev. Theodore G. Lilley, assisted by Dr. L. John Nuttall Jr., city superintendent of schools. Burial will take place at Athens, Ohio. Friends may call at the S.T. Ricketts mortuary, 344 East First South street, Saturday until the time of the services. Friends are requested by the family to omit flowers.
   Physicians said Mr. Gillilan had been a sufferer for three years of arteriosclerosis, but that ills incident to advanced age were mainly responsible for his death. He had been confined to his bed for three weeks.
Began Life On Farm
   Beginning life as a farm boy in Ohio, he set out as a young man to become an educator. He moved to Utah in September, 1886, and taught in the mining town of Stockton, but, desiring additional education, he returned to his native state and attended Ohio University. He was graduated in 1891 with the degrees of bachelor of arts and bachelor of pedagogy.
   His liking for the western country drew him to Utah again. For three years he taught in private schools, at Stockton and Nephi and then became affiliated with the schools in Salt Lake City. This was in 1894, and in the ensuing years he became in turn an assistant principal, head of the mathematics department, principal of the West high school (1914) which latter position he held until appointed a city supervisor. In 1924 he was placed in charge of the city’s part-time schools, which he established. He remained in this post until he retired last May.
With Government
   For several years after the war Mr. Gillilan acted as superintendent of guidance and placement in the United States government employment service. He was a director of the Utah State Automobile association, a member of the Commercial club and of Beta Theta Pi, national social fraternity.
   Mr. Gillilan was born May 27, 1863, in Jackson, Ohio, a son of Lewis and Mary Alice Clare Gillilan. He attended the rural schools there and late returned to his home to teach. In 1887 he married Miss Lizzie Carl McVay of Athens, Ohio. Of this union five children were born, who, besides his widow, survive him. They  are Paul McVay of Schenectady, N.Y.; Lewis Wallace of New York City; Mrs. Ruth Clare Eakin of Pittsburg, Pa.; Mrs. Anna Pearl Welsh of Springville and Miss Bertha Elizabeth, a Presbyterian missionary in Tokyo, Japan.
   Also surviving are two sisters and two brothers, Mrs. Adeline Gettles of Frankfort, Ohio; Mrs. Georgia Hunter of Jackson, Ohio; Dr. E..E. Gillilan of Columbus, Ohio, and Strickland W. Gillilan, noted humorist and lecturer, of Washington, D.C. Another brother, the Rev. J.D. Gillilan, D.D., of Gooding, Idaho, died recently.
Introduced Practices
   Mr. Gillilan’s pioneering efforts in educational work brought praise and resulted in the introduction of new principles. He was one of the organizers of the Utah Education association, and took an early lead in developing students employed in the industry.
   In a tribute to the educational leader, John L. Nuttall Jr., superintendent of city schools, said:
   “His services of 50 years in the schools cannot be measured specifically, but they will live on in the community as permanent parts of its cultural influences on the lives of generations.”
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Obituary contributed by Nancy Canter Downard and transcribed by Kate Maynard, 2009.