Untitled Document

THE GILMORE FAMILY

Among the few white families who constituted the first permanent settlers of Mercer county, and who have taken prominent and active parts in its history and development, is that of which Judge Ephraim Gilmore is a member.

He and his father, Col. Robert Gilmore, arrived in Warren county as early as 1833, and the following year the judge moved into that part afterward set off as Mercer county. Mr. Gilmore was born February 7, 1810 , hence was in full manhood when his career became blended with that of Mercer county.

After a residence of two years in New Boston he settled at a point about half way between Aledo and New Boston , on a farm subsequently owned.by the Hon. John McGinnis. Here he lived and labored from 1837 to 1871, when he changed his residence to Aledo and embarked in the banking business. November 4, 1834 , he married Miss Julia Arm Denison, daughter of William and Rachel Denison, who were the first white settlers of the county. Miss Denison was the only single white lady of the county at the time of this marriage.

Seven sons and two daughters have been born to them: William, Robert N., John A., James E., Edwin, Erastus E.. Lyman C., Annie E., and Mary. "William and Mary are dead. Eobert is a resident of Johnson county, Missouri, and Annie E. (now Mrs. James Kiddoo) is of Rice county, Kansas. John A. enlisted August 6, 1861, in company E, 9th reg. Ill. Vol., and served three years and one month. His regiment was mostly recruited from St. Clair county, and was commanded by Col. Paine. John A. as a soldier was engaged at the first battle of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth. He then became a mounted infantryman, and accompanied Sherman to Atlanta, but in the meantime aided in guarding the Memphis and Charleston railroad. He was mustered out at Springfield. March 22, 1865, he was married to Miss Allie Pryme. She died June 28, 1866, leaving one child (Charlie).

He was next married February 11, 1870, to Miss Sarah McGinnis, whose parents (John T. and Margaret McGinnis) are prominent in Mercer county history. John A. has spent many years on the farm, but is now in the bank. Robert N., James E. and Edwin were in company K, 10M reg. HI. Vol., which regiment is so fully noticed in the history. Robert was discharged on account of ill-health incurred in Buell's famous forced march. James and Edwin served through the war. Judge Gilmore's history is so intimate with that of the county that a review of the one includes that of the other.

He was the first postmaster of New Boston, first circuit clerk and first surveyor of Mercer county, once probate judge, once county treasurer, and twice a member of the state legislature. During his official career his conduct was marked by a courtesy of manner, an honesty of action and a purity and patriotism of motive to such a degree that there is not now in the county a single man to be found who does not honor and feel proud of his record and relations with his people. The Gilmore family are of Scotch-Irish descent. The ancestry came to the United States when they were dependent colonies, and were during the revolutionary war active patriots, Mr. Gilmore's grandfather, Ephraim Gilmore, being a continental soldier, who, after the close of the war, continued to reside in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where he raised four sons:

Robert, Ephraim, John and Thomas. Robert afterward served as captain in the war of 1812. He was twice married, first to Miss Elizabeth Collins and then to Miss Maria Pilgrim. By his first wife he raised Ephraim (the subject of this sketch), John, Arabella, Ann, and Joseph; and by his second wife, James, Thomas, Elizabeth Rachel, Lawrence H., Benjamin F., and Robert C. The first marriage took place in Jeiferson county. Ohio, and the second in the city of Columbus, he being at that time a member of the legislature of. Ohio from the same county. Immediately after coming to Warren county, Illinois, he was elected one of the commissioners for this county, which position he held two or theee terms. He died about 1856, and was buried at Monmouth. He was 75 years old and was a man of strong force of character. He died in the fellowship of the Presbyterian church.

History of Mercer and Henderson County

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Illinois Ancestors

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