John Gilson/Jane Terry

GILSON, TERRY

Posted By: Greta Thompson (email)
Date: 1/22/2005 at 18:58:12

Iowa's oldest married couple reside two miles southeast of town and if providence is good they will celebrate the seventy-fifth annniversary May 11, 1931. When Mr. Gilson was 20 years of age and Jane Terry was 18, they were married away back in 1856. They have spent their entire life in Marion County and find it as interesting today as seventy-five years ago. They are now 94 and 92 years of age.

Mrs. Gilson was born in Indiana. While still a baby she was brought to Iowa in a covered wagon by her father, Lawson Terry, who settled first in Wapello county. Later the Terrys moved to Marion county and operated a mill on Whitebreast creek. There were plenty of Indians in Marion county in those days, but the Terrys treated them kindly and the Indians were always friendly.

In 1855 John Gilson trekked out to Marion county from Pittsburgh, Pa., his birthplace. He was a wagon maker and soon opened a shop in Knoxville. In a short time he became acquainted with Jane Terry and in less than a year the two were married.

Four years after Mr. and Mrs. Gilson were married the Civil war was fought. Mr. Gilson tried to enlist, but was so weakened by an attack of malaria fever that he was rejected by the recruiting officer.

Sixty-two years ago the Gilsons moved to the farm where they now reside. In this day of transient renters that is quite a record.

John Gilson has always been a factor in the cause of making Marion county a better place in which to live. Older residents will recall an incident of thirty years ago when Mr. Gilson was leading a fight for prohibition in Knoxville. A tough character by the name of Moose, accosted Mr. Gilson one day and threatened him bodily injury. Despite the fact that he was considered an old man then, he was able to defend himself very capably.

When Moose struck at him, Gilson reached out and grabbed him by the throat. Then he choked him until the other man fell exhausted to the floor. Without a word, Mr. Gilson walked away. Such was one incident of when a peaceable man was aroused.

The Gilsons live near to their son, C. M. Gilson. They have seen Iowa and Marion county grow from a wilderness to its present state of civilization and are keenly appreciative of their opportunity.

--Knoxville Journal September 25, 1930
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