Ira C. Gillmor
Ira C. Gillmor has not only acquired unqualified success as an extensive stock-raiser in Crawford county but has also been connected prominently with the public affairs of Denison township and has done much to advance its interests both politically and socially.
Mr. Gillmor was born on the adjoining farm to the north, June 12, 1876, a son of Isaac Gillmor, and successively passed through the public and high schools of Denison, later pursuing his studies in Cornell University at Mount Vernon. Upon concluding his course there he entered into partnership with his father on the old homestead, which connection continued until 1898, when he removed into Denison, in order to widen his field of endeavor. For the ensuing five years he engaged in the livestock business, buying and shipping, a part of this time special attention being given to western horses. Subsequently he removed to his present property on sections 28 and 29, Denison township, consisting of three hundred and sixty acres of some of the best grazing land in the state. With increased facilities he has continued to engage in the live-stock business, his past wide experience enabling him to build up a large and ever growing trade in that branch of industry. He is now stocking his farm with registered Aberdeen Angus cattle, of which he will make a specialty as a breeder. Aside from his live-stock interests he has considerable landholdings in South Dakota.
The marriage of Mr. Gillmor took place April 20, 1898, when he was united to Miss Mabel Hardy, a daughter of A. P. Hardy. She was educated in the Dow City schools and high school, later attending Denison College, after which she taught for three years in the rural schools of Denison township. To Mr. and Mrs. Gillmor have been born two children, namely: Ira Hardy, March 16, 1899, and Zella Olive, May 12, 1902.
Mr. Gillmor has taken a conspicuous part in the political history of his township, always doing everything in his power that would tend toward clean government. A stanch republican, he has been chosen by his party at different times to fill positions of responsibility, has served two terms as township clerk, being at the present time the incumbent of that office, has been clerk of election for seven years and filled the position of secretary of the school board for six years. In discharging the duties of the offices he has shown his executive ability and proven his loyalty to the general welfare in such a manner as to command the generous esteem and respect of his fellow townsman. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and socially is a member of the P. E. O. Mr. Gillmor stands as a type of the highest manhood, is a man of strict integrity, ever upright and honest in all his business transactions, always genial and courteous with his fellow beings, and his numerous friends recognize in him all the sterling qualities for which he is well known.
Source: History of Crawford County, Iowa. Vol. II. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911.