Gilmore, William H.

GILMORE, RATHBURN

Posted By: Gary Norris (email)
Date: 1/5/2013 at 07:00:50

The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa
Des Moines: Union Hist. Co., 1880.

GILMORE, WILLIAM H.—Deep River Twp—pg 729. Section 31, P.O. Tilton. His parents were natives of Ireland, but were raised in America. His father crossed the ocean when fifteen years old, and his mother, when she was twelve. William was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January 1, 1841. He was but three months old when his parents emigrated to Illinois, and settled on a farm in Mercer county. His father being poor, he had few opportunities for learning, and contributed all his labor to his father’s assistance until, on the 15th of September, 1861, he enlisted in company A, Ninth Illinois cavalry for three years. Having served his country nearly one year, engaging in a number of skirmishes, he was honorably discharged on account of ill health on the 14th of August, 1862. He now receives a pension from the United States government. Regaining his health, he found employment in a packing house in Rock Island. After working one winter he rented a farm. His father then deeded him eighty acres of wild land in Rock Island county, where he farmed successfully for about seven years, when he sold out and emigrated to his present place in March, 1876. He married, on the 27th of October, 1869, Miss Phebe E. Rathburn of Rock Island, who was born May 8, 1850, in Crawford county, Pennsylvania. Four children are the fruits of this union: Sara A. (born October 11, 1870), William Edgar (born January 16, 1873), George H. (born April 12, 1875) and John E. (born November 26, 1877). Mr. Gilmore owns 161 ½ acres, free from debt.