My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS D. GILMORE, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Le Roy; born in Warren Co., near Bowling Green, Ky., Nov. 18, 1814. He attended school a limited time, until 12 years of age; he then went into the blacksmith-shop of his father, learned and worked at the trade until 22 years of age, when he emigrated to Illinois and located on the spot where he now lives in the fall of 1836. He drove his team of oxen all the way from Kentucky, bringing with him his wife and two children and all of his property, which consisted of two yoke of oxen and wagon, one horse, saddle and bridle, his blacksmith tools, a few household goods and $4 in cash—the latter he invested in pork, obtaining one hundred pounds. He then put up a log cabin with puncheon floor, clapboard door, with wooden hinges; a raccoon bedstead, with one leg, in which poles were inserted, the other ends being fastened in holes made in the side and end logs of the house; boards were laid across from the side rail and upon one of the side logs of the house, when the rude structure was complete. He made stools, which were used for chairs, and a clapboard table. Having completed his house and manufactured the above furniture, he set up his forge, his skill as a blacksmith soon became known, work poured in upon him, and he was kept constantly at work, his custom extending as far as Farmer City, Cheney and Randolph Groves. He would labor from 4 A. M. until 9 or 10 at night, and then attend to his chores. He had the misfortune to lose his shop by fire, and, the year after he settled here, his leg was broken by a tree falling upon him, which confined him to the house for four months. He first entered 40 acres of land, and has since added by purchases until he owns 155 acres, upon which he has lived since 1836, with the exception of a short time while on a visit to Kentucky. He followed his trade here, with the exception of eight years in which he was engaged at his trade in Le Roy, until 1855, since which time he has given his attention to his farm. His father, Andrew H. Gilmore, was born in North Carolina, and emigrated to Kentucky when quite young, where he lived until he emigrated to Illinois in 1857, where he purchased land and built a house but a few rods from his son, in which he lived until his decease, which occurred Oct. 17, 1870, at the ripe old age of 98 years. Thomas D. Gilmore and Matilda Savage were married in Kentucky Jan. 2, 1834. Three children were the fruit of this union — Martha Frances, born Nov. 21, 1834, now Mrs. James W. Wright, of LeRoy; Mary M., May 1, 1836, died Aug. 15, 1863; and Joseph P., June 5, 1838, now living in Oregon. Mrs. Gilmore died Oct. 5, 1839. Mr. Gilmore married Mary J. Brannaman Dec. 11, 1840. She was born in Augusta Co., Va., Feb. 11, 1821. Six children were the fruit of this union — Andrew D., born March 2, 1842, died in infancy; Ira F., Nov. 10, 1843, lives in Padua Township; Lucinda M., Jan. 14, 1850, now Mrs. R. C. Charleston, living in Kansas; Kentucky G., Feb. 9, 1855, now Mrs. F. Hendricks, of Padua Township; Elizabeth A., July 24, 1859; Augusta M., Sept. 16, 1862. Mrs. Gilmore was daughter of David and Mary (Hulderman) Brannaman, who emigrated from Virginia and located in Padua Township in 1836. Mr. B. died in the fall of 1846. Mrs. B. died in the spring of 1870.