Margaret Gillis 1820-1902

GILLIS, MCBAIN, KINCAID, JAMISON

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 9/25/2021 at 12:28:45

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Thursday, February 27, 1902
Page 1

Margaret Gillis dead.

Margaret McBain was born in Peebles, Scotland, June 4, 1820; at the age of three she accompanied her parents to India, where a few years later both died and she was left in the care of an older sister, Mrs. Barbara Kincaid, wife of the Baptist missionary, Eugenio Kincaid. In her 14th year she was sent to friends in America, making the entire voyage from Calcutta to Philadelphia in a small sailing vessel, she being the only lady passenger. In 1840 she married to Ridgway B. Gillis, of Pennsylvania.

In 1847 with him and three infant children she came to Iowa, settling in Henry county, 7 miles north of Mt. Pleasant. This vicinity was her home until 1866 when the family moved to Marshall, now Wayland, in the same county. Her husband died in 1872. Since that time she has been with her children making her home principally with her oldest son, James R. Gillis, of Mt Pleasant, and her daughter, Mrs. O. J. Jamison. She spent a year of two with her sons on the Pacific coast and a year with her daughter in Arkansas. Her health was never rugged, though for the past 20 years she was much better, physically than in former years. Her last sickness extended only over a period of something like ten days and did not seem to be anything serious until last Saturday evening when she suddenly took a turn for the worse. All that medical skill and kind hands could do medical skill and kind hands could do was done to alleviate her sufferings and prolong life, but to no avail, and on Monday at 1:30 p. m. she passed peacefully away. Two of her sons and her daughter were with her at the end.

Short funeral services Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. W. Roland Williams, of near Ainsworth, assisted by Revs. Drew and Adams, of this place. The interment took place at Wayland on Wednesday, beside her husband and youngest son, both of whom were buried there in 1872. Short services were conducted in the church immediately preceding the interment, conducted by the pastor.

The pall bearers at Wayland were old acquaintances, made during her residence there. Those officiating in the same capacity here were E. R. Lacey, W. H. Letts, R. J. Reaney, N. T. Hendriz, F. G. Coffin and W. P,. Paugh.

Before leaving India, she united with the Baptist church and retained her connection with that denomination except during the early days in Iowa when no congregation of that faith was within reach, when she affiliated with the Methodists. Mrs. Gillis retained her mental faculties to a remarkable degree. She lived in the present; was a constant reader and thoroughly conversant with all current events.

The children who survive her are James R., Hudson B., H. Wade, A. J. and Mrs. Mary J. Jamison. H. B, and A. J. Gillis lives on the Pacific coast; H. W , in Nebraska; the others in Iowa. One son died and was buried at Marshall in 1872; two others died in infancy.