My Genealogy Hound

W. W. GILLILAND, attorney, Ripley, is a son of Rev. James Gilliland, who was born in Lincoln County, N. C., October 28, 1769. His grandparents, Alexander and Frances Gilliland, were of Irish descent. James, during his boyhood, was occupied with his father on the farm, and assisting to support the family. He was fitted for college under the Rev. William C. Davis, of South Carolina. In due time, he became a member of the Dickinson College (Carlisle), where he graduated in 1792. Returning to his home, he prosecuted his theological studies, partly under the direction of the same clergyman by whom he had been fitted for college. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of South Carolina September 26, 1794. His views on the subject of slavery seemed to have changed, and his zeal in the cause of emancipation subjected him to some embarrassment at his ordination and installation over Broadway Church in 1796. A remonstrance, signed by a number of persons against his ordination, is mentioned. He retained his connection with this congregation less than eight years. Both his character and ministrations were highly appreciated, and even those who dissented awarded him the credit of acting from conscientious convictions. He was dismissed from the church April 4, 1804, but had leave to travel beyond the bounds of the Presbytery. On April 3, 1805, he was dismissed to join the Presbytery of Washington, Ky., and about the same time settled in Red Oak, Brown Co., where he remained to the close of his life. He was of a vigorous constitution, but it was much broken by a severe attack of typhoid fever in 1818, although he continued to preach till within a year of his death. The disease which terminated his life was ossification of the heart, from which he died February 1, 1845, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. He was married to Frances Baird in 1793. She died August 23, 1837. They had thirteen children, three of whom received a collegiate education. He was a very humble and modest man, and shrank from ostentatious display. Extreme plainness characterized his style of dress, living, speaking and everything he said or did. Of a social, cheerful disposition, he was never forgetful of his high dignity as a Christian minister. “There is a higher law,” is an expression used and said to have originated from William H. Seward, when in truth it emanated from the lips of this divine long before Seward attained manhood. The subject of this sketch was born near Red Oak, Union Township, Brown Co., Ohio, in 1814. In 1835, he attended the Ohio University at Athens, Ohio, and remained one year. In 1836, he pursued collegiate studies at Hanover College, Indiana, and remained four years, graduating October, 1839, with the first honor in a large class. He was elected Principal of an academy at Charlestown, Ind., the same fall he graduated, where he remained until 1845, teaching and reading law with Judge Walker. In 1845, he removed to Georgetown, Ohio, where he was admitted to the bar and carried on a successful practice until 1850, when he returned to Indiana and located at New Albany. For two years he engaged in teaching the Female Seminary, and for nearly three years was Financial Agent of the New Albany Theological Seminary, collecting funds in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Missouri. He removed again to Charlestown, Ind., and engaged in a large and lucrative practice at the bar. In 1864, he was commissioned as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas by the Hon. O. P. Morton, Governor of Indiana. This court embraced five counties, and required a great labor and travel. He removed to Ripley, Ohio, in 1866, where he has been practicing his profession with success. In 1869, he was appointed to the office of Deputy Collector of Revenue under the General Government, and filled that position two years. Mr. G. is a Presbyterian, and has twice attended the General Assembly of that church as a delegate. His marriage with Miss Margaret J. McCampbell occurred at her home, Charlestown, Ind., in October, 1840. To this union six children were born, four of whom are living. The eldest, William, a graduate of Marietta College, Ohio; Jennie, married in 1871 to J. S. Manker, resides at Peoria, Ill. The other two children, William H. and Belle, reside with their parents.