| Notes |
- Walter Gill, farmer. P. O. Clay City, was born in Yorkshire, England, on April 18, 1827, and is a son of "William and Sallie (Littlewood) Gill, both of whom are now dead. He was the eldest of a family of thirteen children, of whom but four are n now living, William, Ruth and Eliza, in England, and Walter, our subject. The latter received a common English education in the old country, and at an early age was apprenticed to learn the mason and stone-cutter's trade. He worked at that trade in England until about twenty-three, and then came to this country, landing in the city of New York in the summer of 1850. He worked in that city at his trade the following fall and winter, and in the next two years he worked in different cities in the Atlantic and Middle States.
In 1853, he came to Illinois and began working as a contractor for mason and stone work on the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. He worked on that road for two years, and then went to Missouri and there worked on the North Missouri, which was then under process of construction. He only worked there for one year, and then returned to Illinois.
He settled in Stanford Township, Clay County. He first purchased 120 acres which he has since increased to 360 acres, situated in Sections 10, 15, 21 and 22. Has about 230 acres in cultivation; also pays some attention to stock-raising, handling about fifty head of cattle, and considerable amount of other stock in a year.
Mr. Gill was married in Clay City Township, Clay County, on March 15, 1855. to Mary Ann Evans, a daughter of Seth and Ketorah Evans, early pioneer settlers in this county, and already noticed in the history of Clay City Township. Mrs. Gill was born in this county on October 5, 1827, and was the mother of seven children, live of whom are now livingJonas in Flora, William in Flora, Francis at Xenia, Charles in Louisville, and Oscar at Mill Shoals.
Her death took place in March, 1866, and on September 26, 1869, Mr. Gill was married near Lawrenceville, Lawrence Co., Ill., to Miss Mary Jane Gray, a daughter of George and Mary Ann (Doty) Gray, both natives of Virginia. This lady was also born in that State on January 1, 1840, and to her have been born five children, three of whom are now living, viz., Cora L., Ida R. and Emma J. Mr. Gill is a strong Democrat. Mrs. Gill is a member of the Clay City Methodist Episcopal Church.
Excerpt from "History of Wayne and Clay Counties, Illinois 1884 "
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1827 - 1886 (58 years)
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