GILE, Joshua K. 1816-1910

GILE, FERGUSON, DUNHAM, BROWN, LUSCHER, BLACKBURN, ATWOOD

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 3/28/2020 at 16:11:02

Joshua K. Gile, son of William and Ann Gile, was born in Oxford, N.Y., Nov. 24, 1816. He was one of a family of 17 children, only seven of whom lived to maturity.

He received a common school education, and his father being a tailor, he learned the tailor's trade, and later, his brother (10 years his senior) being a baker, he learned the baker's trade.

Having accomplished this before he was 17, he decided he wanted to be a sailor, so he shipped to sea on a whaling voyage which lasted three years, and during that time was once thrown 60 feet under water, and on three occasions was each time the means of saving a man from drowning. After that he was for a number of years on merchant vessels, and when the Spanish-American war was in progress made the remark that he was in Manila 60 years before Dewey captured it.

After he left the salt water he was for a number of years on the police force in New Orleans. He then taught subscription school in Texas.

On May 29, 1853, he was married to Catherine Ann Ferguson and settled on a piece of government land in Allamakee Co. To this union were born seven children, Mrs. Gile preceding him 39 years [ago].

During the 50's he was steamboating on the Mississippi River, where he became Capt., and a part of that time taught school winters in his home district. He always took a great interest in the advancement of the community in which he lived.

When the Civil War broke out Mr. Gile did not enlist on account of a slight physical disability but always "made good" at home.

On May 17, 1871, Mr. Gile was again married to Mrs. Frances S. Dunham, to this union was born one daughter.

He was a member of the Methodist church at Ion, Ia., and when he came to McGregor to live in 1900, had his membership transferred to this place.

Until after he was 91 years old he was able to make garden and saw and split wood for cook stove. Between 91 and 92 he was content to walk daily to the P.O. and back, and during the last 14 months he had been confined to the house, though most of the time was able to sit up each day for a little while and look over the papers, and was only confined to his bed all of the time for 5 days before his death, which occurred on Mar. 3, 1910.

Mr. Gile had been a member of Clayton Lodge No. 70, A.F. & A.M. of Monona, for nearly 40 years, and his funeral, which was held at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Carrie P. Brown, was under the auspices of the Masonic Fraternity, with address by Rev. Wyatt. Masonic services at cemetery were by his home lodge. Interment was made at Council Hill.

Card of Thanks
We, the undersigned, wish to express our heartfelt thanks to each and every one who in any way assisted during the last illness and death of our father and grandfather.
Mrs. Carrie P. Brown
Dewey J. Brown

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Ray E. Gile of Milwaukee, Wis., attended the funeral of his great uncle, the late Capt. Joshua K. Gile.

G.S. Luscher was here from Oshkosh, Wis., to attend the funeral of his uncle, the late Capt. Joshua K. Gile.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Blackburn, of Chicago, and Mrs. F.N. Atwood, of Clayton, were here to attend the funeral of their father, Mr. J.K. Gile.