D. C. Gillespie

GILLESPIE, GLOYD

Posted By: Clay County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 11/6/2010 at 16:12:11

Railroad contractor, was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, March 29th, 1847. When but four years old both his parents died and he was left an orphan. When nine years of age, with his brother, he went to Sauk county, Wisconsin, and lived on a farm until 1864. When but seventeen he enlisted as a private in Co. E, 12th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry and served until peace was declared between the North and South. After being honorably discharged he returned to his home and remained there until 1869, when he came to Iowa and located at Charles City and stayed there six months. Subsequently he moved to Clear Lake and from there to Clay County. He selected a homestead in now Meadow township and for thirteen years tilled the soil. For the past five years he has been a resident of Spencer, and the greater part of these years has been engaged in railroad grade contracting in which business he has been very successful. In addition to his town property he is the owner of 520 acres of splendid farm and grazing land in Meadow township. He has 440 acres under a good state of cultivation. He early learned to depend upon his own exertions and by his own endeavors, careful financiering and close attention to business, he has succeeded in accumulating considerable of this world's goods. Since he came to this county he has held the office of trustee of Meadow township and is at present a member of the Spencer school board. To both of these positions he has been elected against his wishes, but the people saw in him a successful business man and an enterprising citizen, and therefore demanded his services in a public capacity. He was married in July 1867 to Miss Frances M. Gloyd. The have had seven children born to them, namely, James E., Arthur D., Edgar P., Daniel C., Maudie M., Agnes May and Roy G.

Source: A History of Clay County, Iowa, by W. C. Gilbreath, 1889, p. 146.