Obituary for Jennie Baker Gilliland
Kate's notes: The original newspaper clipping of this obituary for Jennie Baker Gilliland was contributed by Bill Gilliland of Dayton, Ohio. Bill discovered a number of old newspaper clippings in the photo albums of his gr-grandmother Belle Brunton Gilliland and grandmother Alma Howe Gilliland, both of Jackson County, Ohio. It is unknown whether this obituary appeared in the Jackson paper or one of the Portsmouth papers. Jennie and her husband Jackson Gilliland are buried at Fairmount Cemetery in Jackson, Ohio.
Jennie Baker Gilliland
Mrs. Jennie Baker Gilliland died June 11th, 1918, at her home in Hamilton township. She was born July 17th, 1842, in Venango Co., Pennsylvania. She was a daughter of Samuel Baker, who was one of the most prominent men of this county.
She was married November 14, 1865, to Jackson Gilliland who preceded her in death September 27, 1910. To this union were born one daughter who died in infancy and three sons -- Samuel B., Earl Cranston and Oscar C., who, with various members of their families, were at her bed side when she passed away.
She also leaves to mourn their great loss fifteen grand children, six great grand children, two brothers and a sister, Mrs. Fannie Baker Martin. The companionship and devotion of these sisters were unusually marked.
Such is the brief sketch of the life of Mrs. Gilliland, but her relatives and friends, bowed today in grief and sorrow, may not always remember these simple facts, but they will remember her unfailing love, her sacrificing care, her genial hospitality, her interest in the welfare of the community church of which she was one of the founders and her work in the Sunday School for the childrens sake.
Standing today by the casket of this dear Mother and friend, memory will recall myriad half-forgotten acts of her loving kindness and her errands of love and mercy that run like golden threads through the everyday fabric of life. As she had lived, so she died, strong and triumphant in the grace and power of the spirit of Christ, rich in a faith that had grown with the years.
Transcription by Kate Maynard, 2008.