Gilkison, George C.

Other Events:

• Residence: 1850, St Joseph's Co., MI

Notes:

Census, 1850 St. Joseph Co., MI

Page 135, Sherman twp., Gilkisson family
, George, 41, Ohio
, Mary, 36, Ohio
, Simon B., 15, Ohio
, Stephen W., 7, Ohio
, Amy E., 8 months, Mich.

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Portrait and Biographical Album of St Joseph County, Michigan containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens of the county, together with Portraits and Biographies of all the Governors of the State and, of the Presidents of the United States. Chicago:Chapman Brothers,1885, pages 339-340.

Stephen W. Gilkison is one of the industrious, frugal and successful
agriculturists of Burr Oak Township, and is worthy a place in an Album of
this description. He is a native of Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio, where he
was born on the 12th of June, 1843. His father, George C., was the son of
James Gilkison, a native of Kentucky, and a pioneer of that county. He was
fully established in business as a mason, to which he was succeeded by his
son, the father of our subject. Besides George he was the father of twelve
children, of whom four daughters are now living.

George C. Gilkison, the father of our subject, came to Michigan and located
at Centreville in the year 1844, remaining there about twelve months.
Thence he removed for about two years, and then went to Clingers Lake.
After that he came to Sherman in this county, finally locating in Burr Oak,
in the year 1866. The maiden name of his wife and faithful life companion
was Mary KEASEY, who bore him nine children, of whom our subject was the
fourth born.

The subject of our sketch is a man of character, wide information, and with
large ability as a farmer, a faithful and true friend as well as citizen.
In the spring of 1846 he enlisted in defense of the Union, becoming a
member of Company G, 11th Michigan Infantry, and served almost two years.
During that time he saw many of the larger and more important engagements,
besides other service. Among the battles in which he fought may be named
those of Peachtree Creek, Resaca, Atlanta and others. He came out of the
military service unscathed, excepting as his constitution had been strained
by exposure and camp life. He received an honorable discharge in 1865 at
Nashville, Tenn.

On the 10th of April, 1870, Mr. Gilkison and Priscilla FREED were united in
marriage at Burr Oak. The wife of our subject is a daughter of John and
Priscilla FREED. It was her misfortune to lose her father by death when she
was about three years of age. Her mother subsequently removed to Ohio, and
later married Mr. James C. BLANCHARD, of Burr Oak, one of the venerable and
much respected pioneers of this county. Our subject's marriage has been
blessed by the birth of ten children, whose names are as follows: Salathiel
S., Zavala V., George R., Leston T., Clarion M., Amcy, Nina L., Joy L.,
Sherman Blaaine and Mary Gertrude.

Our subject, although not a leader in political affairs, is always glad to
bear his full part and responsibility as a citizen and as a member of the
Republican party, with which he has worked and voted for many years.

Buried:
Burr Oak Cemetery

Family/Spouse: Keasey, Mary. Mary was born in in Ohio, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Filkins, Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Personal Records, Maureen (Molly) McGUIRE COLSON:

Handwriting must have been difficult to read when Stephen's children's names were transcribed. I believe he had 10 children, not 14. Some of the duplicates may be due to spelling or nicknames.

Died:
Age: 69

Family/Spouse: Freed, Priscilla. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]