My Genealogy Hound

THE GILFILLAN FAMILY. Squire Alexander Gilfillan, the pioneer of this family, came from Scotland in 1780, settled in Allegheny county, and took up four hundred acres of land on Chartiers creek, where he remained until his death. He married Margaret Boyd, who bore him ten children. He was the first justice of the peace in his township (then St. Clair) and filled the office for forty years. He was an elder in the U. P. Church of Mt. Lebanon, was always a farmer, and was a prominent man in his day. John, the second son, born on this tract in 1785, married Margaret Fife, who bore him four children, all of whom died when young with the exception of a son, John, who was the third child, born in 1826. He was born and reared on the farm purchased by his grandfather, Alexander, and educated at public schools and Bethel Academy. He was elected to the legislature in 1863 and 1872, and in 1876 represented Allegheny county in the senate. He was a public-spirited man, taking an active part in politics and all public enterprises. He married Eleanor, daughter of Samuel Ewing, of South Fayette township, and five children were born to them, four now living: Maggie, Loretta, Ella and Alexander, the only son, who was educated at Western University and graduated in 1879. He commenced the study of law in 1881, under John G. Bryant, and was admitted to the bar in 1883, since when he has practiced his profession in Pittsburgh. This family are members of the U. P. Church; politically he is a republican.