O. L. Gilson (b. 1826)

GILSON, SMITH

Posted By: Dorothy (email)
Date: 7/8/2005 at 22:44:29

Gilson, O. L., farmer and stock raiser, Section 6; PO West Union; born February 24, 1826; came to this county in 1854; has 275 acres of land valued at $8,000. Married Mary Jane Smith in 1845; she was born in Saratoga Co., New York, March 25, 1825; has one child -- George M., born December 21, 1847; is in the dairy business; built the first cheese factory in this township; owns from twenty to twenty-five cows; turned off 6,674 pounds of cheese and 1,066 pounds of butter in 1877; average of each cow, $50 per year. Left Vermont when he was 11 years old; came to Michigan and lived there one year, then came to Ohio and lived there till the Spring of 1853, then to this county where he has made him a good home and is one of the solid farmers of the county.

Page 639, "1878 History of Fayette County, Iowa"
Illyria Township