William Gilley 1830-1912

GILLEY

Posted By: Georgea Clinton (email)
Date: 6/8/2011 at 08:29:55

Dec 19, 1912 - Today all that is mortal of the late Wm. Gilley was laid to rest in the city cemetery beside his loving and faithful wife who proceeded him to the great beyond. The passing of this sturdy old pioneer, marks a period in the history of this county. The last of three of the original settlers and one of those who voted at the first election held in Carroll county has passed from the stage of action. The other two who survive him are Daniel Cooper and Robert Dixon who were present at and participated in the first election held in this county. For more than half a century they have been leading characters in development and upbuilding of this community and have been an honor to themselves and the noble type of citizens of which they are now the sole ones left were here at the beginning.

The funeral ceremonies were in charge of the Masons of this city and a number of visiting brethern from surrounding towns. It was the wish of the deceased that the services should be simple and in keeping with the character of the man who had known life in all its various phases. It had been his lot to see more of the realities of life than the ordinary citizen and during the eighty three years alloted to him he had played many parts. Being of a rugged active disposition untiring in everything he understood he accomplished much. Life to him was full of action. Alert, enthusiastic, and self reliant were the predominating traits of this strong character. Success was the great aim in life and to accomplish it he freely paid the price.

During the sixty years he resided in this county he has been one of our foremost citizens and always labored for the upbuilding of this community. In this long period of public and private service he says he often made mistakes and would have done differently if he had many things to do over but he labored on using the light that was given him to the best advantage that was at his command.

Those who knew Wm. Gilley during his active years speak of him in kind remembrance and few men ever held a warmer spot in the affections of the old pioneers than did he. During all the years he has resided in this county his home has been headquarters for the "Old Pioneers" and those who linger on the border line between this and eternity are bowed down in sadness to know that one who has been a true friend to them has paid natures last great debt. The touching tributes that have been paid him at the "Old Settlers Meeting" have been of such a nature that left no uncertainty as to the warm spot he held in their affections.

His life covers the history of Carroll County and no one knew it better than he for the two are so closely mingled that to know the one was almost equivolent to knowing the other. In future years when one would know of the early history of this county he must learn it from the pages of history for the voices of those who made it are now mute in death or have grown so feeble that the two remaining are but passing shadows of what they were a half century ago.

The floral tributes were in keeping with his life, for he was a great admirer of the beautiful and nothing pleased him better than to do something to add to the happiness and to allay the sorrows of a friend. While naturally of a quick fiery disposition he had a kind heart and ever responded to the call for assistance. He carried this characteristic of the pioneer to the end of his long journey. He said often during his last sickness that he knew he had made many mistakes in life but that he had lived long enough to outlive all the petty prejudices that had beset him in earlier years and that as he drew near the end he did so without prejudice or ill will to none. He died without malice but with charity to all mankind.

Wm. Gilley was born March 11th, 1830, in Pennsylvania. He moved to Medina county, Ohio, with his parents in his early boyhood and was reared upon his father's farm. On the 3rd of January 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Leah Mohler and two years later came to Carroll county and settled in Pleasant Valley township.

In 1867 he was elected county treasurer and moved to Carroll in October, 1868. He was re-elected to the office in 1869 and also subsequently served as sheriff and clerk of the district court. He also served as mayor of Carroll two years in the latter seventies.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Gilley as follows: Willard B., who was drowned at the age of twelve; Ira M., a farmer of Grant county, Washington, living near Coulee City; Ida, now living in Carroll, who married William Trowbridge, and Emma I., also of Carroll, who married E. J. Pelsue. Mrs. Leah Gilley, the beloved wife and mother, died November 4, 1906, at the age of seventy-one years. In
religious belief he was in sympathy with the Congregational church and this was also the faith of his wife.

Fraternally he was identified with Signet Lodge. No. 264 A. F. & A. M., and Copestone Chapter No. 78, R. A. M. He was a charter member of the Masonic organization in Carroll county and two of the original signers for the lodge are now living. Politically Mr Gilley gave his support to the republican party. He voted for John C. Fremont for president of the United States and had never seen a reason for changing his political views. In all his responsibilities, public or private, he had discharged his duties with the strictest fidelity and honor, and today no man in Carroll county was more worthy of respect than William Gilley.