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Below is a family biography included in History of Lee County, Iowa published by Western Historical Company in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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GILLHAM, JAMES G., harness-maker; residence corner Race and Jefferson sts.; son of Thos. Gillham, who settled in Madison Co., Ill., in 1800; was the first settler west of the Ohio River, and the first Methodist of Illinois; the services of that organization were held at his house for seventeen years; he afterward became Circuit Judge of that county, which office he held for eight years; there James G. was born in 1819, raised a farmer, and, in 1840, married Barbara, daughter of T. G. Lofton, then Sheriff of Madison Co., also Local Pastor of the M. E. Church; she was born in Greene Co., Ill., in 1819, and died February, 1848, leaving one child — Benj. Irish, born in 1845 (now a resident of Macoupin Co., Ill.); December of the same year he married Frances A. Murphy, who was born in Wood Co., Va., in 1824; they remained in Madison Co. until 1850; the fall of that year, came to West Point, where he formed a co-partnership with A. Loveland in the manufacture and sale of harness and saddles, which he continued for four years; in 1854, his wife died, leaving three children — Edgar J., born in 1849, now book-keeper for a large clothing house in Sullivan, Ill.; Margaret L., born Sept. 8, 1851, died the 26th of May, 1855; James, born in October, 1854, now engaged in railroading in Kansas; May 1, 1855, he married his present wife, Miss Mary M. Brand, who was born in Monongalia Co., Va., March 23, 1823, daughter of Samuel Brand, one of the pioneers of West Point, who settled here from Virginia, in 1837; held the office of Justice of the Peace here for fifteen years; the preliminary examination of the Hodges brothers was held before him for the murder of Miller and Leisa, also that of Jones for the murder of McCurdle. Mr. Brand served as Orderly three months in the 3d Missouri in the war of 1812, and was possessed of a memory which enabled him, when 80 years of age, to call the roll of his company, of 119 men, as he called it when on duty with the company; he died in 1873, at the age of 81 years, having raised a family of ten children, five of whom, with his wife, now repose in the cemetery at West Point; November, 1861, Mr. Gillham enlisted in the 17th I. V. I. as private of Co. I, Captain Rice; soon after which, he was detached for hospital duty, and served in that department until mustered out, August, 1865, having visited all the Slave States of the Union except Florida and Texas. Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of long standing in the. M. E. Church at West Point, and to him we are indebted for a history of that Church; he has held various city offices. By last wife, has one child — Mary Eates, born Feb. 19, 1856. A member of Mechanics Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 52.

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This family biography is one of 668 biographies included in The History of Lee County, Iowa published in 1879.  For the complete description, click here: Lee County, Iowa History and Genealogy

View additional Lee County, Iowa family biographies: Lee County, Iowa Biographies

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